Male vs Female Regal Jumping Spider: How to Tell the Difference

Unlike many tarantulas where you need a microscope to determine gender, Regal Jumping Spiders are sexually dimorphic - once they reach sub-adult stage, males and females look completely different.

That difference is exactly why breeders will often guess a juvenile is female based on color, only to see boxing-glove pedipalps appear a few molts later. If you’re new to these spiders, start with the beginner’s care guide for the basics.

1. The Color Test (The Easiest Method)

For Phidippus regius, the color of their fuzzy bodies is the biggest giveaway. More information can be found on the UF/IFAS Featured Creatures page.

Adult males are almost always black and white, with a deep black body and sharp white spots and bands. Females are the colorful ones, coming in a massive variety of shades including peach, orange, light gray, beige, and tan. If your spider is bright orange or light gray, it’s a girl.

A Note on Locality Variations

Regal Jumping Spiders found in different parts of Florida can vary in appearance. For example, the “Apalachicola” locality tends to produce larger, more vibrantly colored females, while the “Bahamian” variety is typically smaller with different color morphs. These subtle variations can make sexing slightly trickier, but the general rule, black and white for males and colorful for females, holds true across all localities.

2. The Chelicerae (Fangs) Color

Look closely at the shiny, metallic mouthparts right below their big front eyes. These are called chelicerae.

Males have stunning, highly reflective blue-green or emerald green chelicerae. Females typically display pink, violet, or magenta/purple, though some females have a greenish-pink hue, which is why chelicerae color alone isn’t foolproof.

The chelicerae color becomes more intense as the spider matures. A freshly molted male may have muted green chelicerae that become brighter over the following days.

3. The Boxing Gloves (Pedipalps)

Look at the two tiny, fuzzy “arms” near their face that they use to wipe their eyes like windshield wipers. These are called pedipalps.

When a male matures, the ends of his pedipalps swell up and look like little boxing gloves or comma shapes (these are actually used for mating). A female’s pedipalps remain straight and fluffy, looking like simple little fuzzy legs.

The pedipalp method is the most reliable way to confirm gender once the spider reaches adulthood. Even if the color and chelicerae are ambiguous, swollen pedipalps are a dead giveaway for males.

Note: These differences only become obvious when the spider is at least an i5/i6 stage (juvenile to adult). If you have a tiny sling, it’s impossible to tell the gender until they molt a few more times!

Behavior Differences

Beyond physical appearance, males and females behave quite differently in captivity.

Males are more active and exploratory - they’ll pace the enclosure walls, especially when mature and searching for a mate. They tend to be bolder and more willing to jump onto a handler’s hand, build smaller, less permanent hammocks, and may stop eating entirely once they reach sexual maturity, focusing all energy on finding a female.

Females are more sedentary. They spend longer periods in their hammock and they’re more deliberate in their movements. They build thick, multi-layered hammocks for molting, resting, and egg-laying, live significantly longer (up to 2-3 years vs. 1-1.5 years for males), and continue eating throughout adulthood. A female may lay fertile eggs months after a single mating.

Should You Get a Male or Female?

Females live longer and are less flighty, making them better if you want a spider that stays put during handling. Males are more active and entertaining to watch but have shorter lifespans. Captive-bred, healthy, and well-started on live food matter more than gender. For more on daily care, the jumping spider beginner’s guide and enclosure setup guide break it down.