Phiddipus Otiosus - Jumping Spider

Canopy Jumping Spider (Phidippus otiosus)

Stage: i4 (4th Instar) | Origin: Captive Bred

The Otiosus Advantage

• The "Eyebrow" Spider: P. otiosus is famous for developing prominent tufts of hair (setae) over its eyes as it matures, giving it a charming, expressive "grumpy" look.
• Unique Palette: Unlike the oranges of the regius, adult otiosus often display a sophisticated palette of soft greys, lavenders, and muted greens, accented by high-contrast white abdominal spots.
• Arboreal Specialists: As their name suggests, they are masters of the canopy. They tend to spend even more time in the upper levels of their enclosure compared to other species, making them very visible pets.
• Distinct Patterns: They are often called "four-spotted jumpers" due to the four distinct white spots on their abdomen, which remain visible throughout their adult life.

Specifics for i4 Slings

• Size: Currently approx. 5–7mm (comparable to a large garden pea).
• Current Diet: Hunting Drosophila hydei (Large Fruit Flies) reliably.
• Appearance: At i4, they already begin to show a slightly stockier, more "fuzzy" build than P. regius slings of the same age.
• Sexing: Sold as unsexed. While otiosus are less sexually dimorphic in colour than regius, males often develop darker, more iridescent chelicerae, which become clearer around i7.

UK Care Requirements

• Humidity: 70% – 80%. P. otiosus thrives in humid conditions but is more sensitive to "stagnant" air than other species. Excellent cross-ventilation is mandatory.
• Temperature: Prefers 23°C – 27°C. They do well at standard room temperature in summer but will require a thermostat-controlled heat mat during UK winters to ensure they remain active. Read our Blog post here
• Lighting: As canopy dwellers, they are highly light-dependent. Bright, indirect light or a dedicated LED is essential for their hunting and activity levels.

The Growth Journey: Transitioning Feeders

Our i4 Canopy Slings are currently established on fruit flies. However, to reach their full "fuzzy" potential, they benefit from a varied diet as they grow.

• Future Diet: We recommend transitioning to Green Bottle flies at the i6 or i7 stage. The erratic movement of the flies perfectly mimics the flying insects they would hunt in the treetops.
• Expert Guide: For more details on the transition from fruit flies to Green Bottles, read our feeding blog post here.

Important Shipping Update

​We have made the decision to dispatch all live spiders exclusively via Royal Mail Special Delivery (Guaranteed by 1pm).

​The welfare of our spiders is our absolute priority, and we have implemented this policy for the following reasons:

• ​Reliability: Unfortunately, services such as Tracked 24 have recently seen an increase in delayed or lost parcels. When it comes to a living creature, we simply cannot take that risk.
• ​Priority Handling: Special Delivery is a premium service that bypasses the standard post. This means your spider spends as little time as possible in the mail system and isn't left sitting in a delivery office during a backlog.
• ​Reduced Stress: A faster journey means less stress for the spider, ensuring they arrive healthy, hydrated, and ready for their new home.

​Please Note: To avoid any risk of your spider being held in a sorting office over the weekend, we only post orders from Monday to Thursday.

📷 About Our Photos: Variation & Potential

Please Note: The images provided include photos of our actual i4 spiderlings currently in stock.

However, because these are unsexed juveniles, they have not yet developed their adult colours. Like all Phidippus regius, they undergo a spectacular transformation as they grow. While the Apalachicola lineage is renowned for its "White Phase" potential, every spider is a unique individual. The final adult colouration—whether it be snow-white, silver, or light grey—is a result of genetic diversity, making the journey of watching your sling grow an exciting "unboxing" of its true traits!!

Note on Sexing:

This spider is sold as unsexed. If you have a preference for a male or female, please message us! We can’t guarantee it, but we’ll always do our best to find your perfect match.