Phidippus Audax (Bold Jumping Spider)

Phidippus audax occurs naturally across most of North America—from southern Canada to Mexico—thriving in open fields, gardens, and forest edges. This adaptability makes it particularly comfortable in typical indoor conditions.

 

Audax are agile, intelligent hunters with remarkable vision and curiosity. Adult males typically measure 9–15 mm (⅜–⅝ in) in body length, while adult females range from 12–19 mm (½–¾ in), with females generally larger and more robust. Their deep black bodies are accented by a white central triangle and paired spots along the abdomen, while their vibrant metallic chelicerae shimmer green to turquoise depending on the light.

 

Their exceptional visual system, capable of motion and colour detection at 0.1° resolution, supports precise jumps and awareness rarely seen in invertebrates. This visual acuity contributes to their interactive behaviour—watching movement, tilting their heads, and reacting to their environment with clear awareness.

 

Females are hardy, easy to feed, and in stable indoor conditions commonly reach 14–18 months in captivity, remaining active ~9–12 months after their final molt. Males—though sometimes pickier—are bold and visible, typically living ~5–8 months post-maturity for a total lifespan around 10–14 months.

Audax often outlive other common pet species thanks to their broad climate tolerance. They handle cooler, drier indoor conditions typical of Canadian homes far better than subtropical species, whose lifespans can shorten under low humidity or fluctuating temperatures.

Select from various stages of the spider's life cycle, ensuring you receive a specimen that best suits your interest or educational needs. Below are the sizes available for each variant, given in both inches and centimetres measured as body length (cephalothorax + abdomen):

 

• Spiderling i5/i6: These are young spiders, usually in their 5th or 6th instar. They are typically about 1/8” to 1/4” (3-6 mm) in body length.
• Sub-Adult i7/i8: A little older and larger, these spiders are in their 7th or 8th instar and measure approximately 1/4” to 1/2" (6 to 12 mm) in body length.
• Sub-Adult Male: These are nearing maturity but are not yet fully grown. They usually measure around 5/16" to 1/2" (8 to 12 mm) in body length.
• Sub-Adult Female: Similar to the males but potentially larger at this stage, they measure about 3/8” to 5/8" (9 to 16 mm) in body length.
• Male Adult: Fully mature males are typically smaller than females, with body lengths of 3/8" to 5/8" (9-15 mm).
• Female Adult: The largest of the options, adult females can measure 1/2" to 3/4" (12-19 mm) in body length.

 

We do our best to identify each sub-adult spider’s sex, though some individuals appear similar; sexing accuracy for sub-adults cannot be guaranteed.

All Phidippus audax offered here are captive-bred in-house through our controlled Ontario breeding program. Each spiderling is reared individually, allowing close observation of feeding response, temperament, and development from early instars onward. Only individuals that demonstrate strong feeding behaviour and adaptability are made available for adoption.

 

As Canada’s largest native jumping spider, our breeding lines are periodically refreshed through carefully selected parent specimens collected in Southern Ontario. This ensures healthy, genetically diverse offspring well-adapted to northern indoor conditions.

 

We extend your time with these remarkable spiders by providing young virgin specimens (unmated), eliminating the concern of unexpected egg sacs. Females are typically hearty, easy to feed, and live slightly longer—often just over a year—while males, though occasionally more selective eaters, are notably more visible and curious, with an average lifespan just under a year.

 

Our breeding environments replicate the same conditions built into our Por Amor Art enclosure systems—balanced cross-ventilation, calibrated humidity control, and stable light cycles. This ensures that every spider we release has been raised under the same care standards our professional equipment is designed to maintain.

 

All breeding and rearing practices follow ethical collection and welfare guidelines, prioritizing animal health and stress-free adaptation to human care.

Audax are arboreal jumpers that rely on vertical space and textured surfaces to anchor silk safety lines, a tall well ventilated enclosure is ideal.

As a general rule, enclosure height should be roughly 8 to 10 times the spider’s body length, while width and depth can be 4 to 6 times.

 

Our Arboreal glass enclosures in 12-16 cm heights suit most life stages. For adult females, the taller 16-20 cm range is more comfortable.

For detailed sizing rationale, see our How to Choose Enclosure Size & Type Guide and Enclosure Setup Guide.

Audax thrive on a simple diet of small live insects such as flightless fruit flies, houseflies, or mini mealworms. Frequency decreases as they mature.

Provide bright ambient light (12 h day cycle), airflow and proper hydration as well as occasional fine-misting. Read more about proper parameters in our Enclosure Ventilation, Humidity & Temperature guide.

 

Phidippus audax are hardy and low-maintenance, making them suitable for both new and experienced keepers.

For a complete reference—including feeding intervals and environmental tuning—see our Pet Jumping Spider Care Guide.

Live specimens ship within Canada only via our LiveTrack service (required for warranty coverage).

Shipments depart Mondays, or occasionally Tuesday when travel time allows to prevent weekend delays.

Temperature thresholds are monitored before dispatch; P. audax tolerates cooler weather than subtropical species but may still be delayed if forecast lows drop below +6 °C.

All spiders are packed in moisture-controlled containers for safe arrival.