Phidippus regius & mantid - Quick Care sheet
Quick Care Sheet — Regal Jumpers & Praying Mantids
Fast reference for housing, climate, feeding, molting, and handling.
1
Housing
- Jumpers: 4 × 4 × 6 in+ enclosure, cross-vented mesh lid, twigs/bark for anchoring.
- Mantids: Height ≥ 3–5× body length; sturdy branches; paper-towel or coco-fiber floor.
- Solo only: No co-hab. Even spiderlings will fight by instar 2–3.
- Greenery: Live plants help steady humidity and provide cover.
2
Heat, Humidity & Lighting
- Heat: Target 77–80 °F.
- Lighting: LED plant lights on a day/night cycle support natural hunting activity.
- Humidity (RH): Jumpers 65–75%; Mantids 65–75%.
- Tips: Fine-mist one corner 2–4×/week. Droplets should fade between mistings—if they persist, reduce misting. Keep room RH near target to help the enclosure stay stable.
We use LED plant lights with automatic day/night settings to give spiders the light they need for hunting.
3
Feeding (2–3× per week; refer to size chart)
- Prey size: ≤ body length (spider) or body width (mantid) until sub-adult.
- Staples: House/blow flies, pinhead–¼″ crickets, discoid roach nymphs.
- Treats: Wax/mealworms (mantids), fruit flies for slings.
Warning: Honey/fruit “hacks” are viral myths. These carnivores can’t digest sticky residues, and pesticide traces can harm them over time. They may sip moisture from fruit, but they can also drink plain water from hydration stations.
4
Molting
- Jumpers: Spin a hammock and often fast. Avoid food/handling for ~24 h before and after a shed.
- Mantids: Hang upside-down; need a clear drop space ≥ 2× body length. Slight RH bump the night before; no feeding/handling for 24 h after molt.
5
Handling & Enrichment
- Offer tong-held, pre-killed prey to build trust.
- Handle over a table or sit on the floor to prevent falls.
- Let jumpers “bridge” hand-to-hand; let mantids step onto a finger or perch. Keep sessions short and calm.
6
Fast Checklist
Secure, solo enclosure
Day temp 77–80 °F
RH: Jumpers 65–75%; Mantids 65–75%
Light mist on one wall (away from the animal)
Feed varied insects 2–3×/week
No food or handling during pre-molt/molt
Absolutely no honey, fruit, or sugar water