Phidippus Regius "Isla Juventud" Jumping Spider | UK Captive Bred

Isla (Cuba) Locale: Regal Jumping Spider: Phidippus regius

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

The "Isla" Advantage

High-Contrast "Panda" Look: While adult females can vary, the Isla locale is famous for producing high-contrast individuals with stark white markings against deep, jet-black bodies.

Compact & Robust: Though they are part of the "Regal" family, many keepers find the Isla locale to have a slightly more compact, "stocky" build compared to the long-legged mainland Florida spiders.

Bold Island Personality: Hailing from the Isle of Youth, these spiders are notoriously brave. They are active explorers and tend to spend a lot of time out in the open, making them excellent "display" pets.

Vivid Facial Masks: Mature females often develop beautiful, crisp "eyebrow" markings and iridescent chelicerae (mouthparts) in shades of deep teal and violet.

Specifics for i4 Slings

Size: Currently approx. 5–7mm (roughly the size of a small pea).

Current Diet: Hunting Drosophila hydei (Large Fruit Flies) with extreme confidence.

Appearance: At the i4 stage, they are in their classic "juvenile tuxedo"—sleek black with white abdominal spots. Their high-contrast Cuban patterns will begin to sharpen and reveal themselves over the next few molts.

Sexing: Sold as unsexed.

UK Care Requirements

Humidity: 70% – 80%. As a tropical island locale, they thrive with higher humidity. Provide a light misting every 1–2 days.

Temperature: Prefers 23°C – 27°C. In the UK, a thermostat-controlled heat mat is essential to mimic the warm Cuban climate and keep their metabolism high. Read our blog post here.

Lighting: Bright, indirect light is vital. These are visual hunters who love to bask in the brightest spots of their enclosure.

The Growth Journey: Transitioning Feeders

Our i4 Isla slings are currently established on fruit flies, but they are ambitious hunters.

Future Diet: We recommend transitioning to Green Bottle flies at the i6 or i7 stage. Their active hunting style makes them fantastic to watch when they track down flying prey.

Expert Guide: To learn more about moving your spider to larger prey, read our feeding and transition 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 adult Isla Juventud spiders to showcase their potential colouration.

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 Isla lineage is known for its high-contrast and monochrome potential, every spider is a unique individual. The final adult colouration 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.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Isla Juventud locale?
Isla Juventud (Isle of Youth) is a small island off the south-west coast of Cuba. Phidippus regius from this locale are prized for their bold "Panda" colouration — stark white markings against jet-black bodies — and their notoriously brave, outgoing personalities.

What do i4 Isla Juventud jumping spiders eat?
At the i4 stage, slings eat Drosophila hydei (large fruit flies). As they grow to i6/i7, we recommend transitioning to Green Bottle flies for the stimulation and nutrition they need.

Are Isla Juventud jumping spiders good for beginners?
Yes — their bold, fearless nature makes them one of the most engaging locales to keep. They are active, love to be observed, and are relatively hardy, making them a great choice for new keepers.

How big do Phidippus regius Isla Juventud get?
Adult females typically reach 14–20mm in body length. They tend to have a slightly more compact, stocky build compared to mainland Florida locales.

Do jumping spiders need heating in the UK?
Yes. As a Cuban island locale, Isla Juventud spiders thrive at 23°C–27°C. A thermostat-controlled heat mat is strongly recommended for UK keepers, especially during winter.

Is this spider captive bred?
Yes — all our Phidippus regius Isla Juventud are captive bred in the UK, ensuring healthy, well-established slings accustomed to captive conditions.