Regal jumping spider

The regal jumping spider is a small, fuzzy, big-eyed spider that many people find absolutely adorable. It is one of the largest jumping spiders in eastern North America, but it is still tiny, small enough to sit happily on the tip of your finger. Many are patterned in velvety black and white, and the males often have shiny jaws that gleam an amazing jewel-like green or blue.

The most wonderful thing about this little spider is its eyesight. It has eight eyes in all, and the two big ones facing forward work almost like a pair of binoculars. This gives it some of the sharpest vision of any spider. If you get close, it will often turn its whole head to look right at you, curious about what you are, just like a friendly little pet.

This spider hunts a bit like a cat. Instead of building a web to trap its food, it creeps slowly towards an insect, crouches down, and then springs, leaping several times the length of its own body. Every time it jumps it lays down a fine thread of silk like a safety rope, so if it ever misses it can simply climb back up and try again.

Regal jumping spiders eat insects and other small creepy-crawlies, which makes them helpful little friends to have around a garden. They are gentle and shy with people and would much rather bounce away than bother anyone. Their bright eyes and bouncy, cat-like pouncing make them one of the most charming spiders you could ever meet.

You can find regal jumping spiders in the southeastern United States and on the sunny islands of the Caribbean, often exploring tree trunks, walls, and fences in the daytime. Scientists have not yet given this spider an IUCN Red List rating, so its status is Not Evaluated. Happily, it is a common and familiar little jumper across the warm places it calls home.