August 19, 2023

I am a female Regal Jumping Spider

If I were male I'd only be black and white

My front legs are shorter than my mates

But we're an adorable pair of Dee-lights.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/regal_jumping_spider.htm

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 26, 2023

I am an adult male Regal Jumping Spider

My body parts grow at different rates

Like humans, I have allometric growth

Thus I have disproportionately long front legs.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/regal_jumping_spider.htm

https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-allometric-and-isometric-growth/

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 25, 2022

I am a male Regal Jumping Spider

My chelicerae are enlarged and iridescent green

I'm smaller than my female counterpart

I average 12mm, she averages 15.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/regal_jumping_spider.htm

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

April 27, 2022

I am a male Regal Jumping Spider

My mate is much larger than I

If you saw her, you'd be screamin'

But for really no reason

As for me? You would just pass me by.

Note: Regal Jumping Spiders are harmless to humans, but the females are pretty big and can look scary if you don't know that!

Location: WW Ranch Road, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Sebastian

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/regal_jumping_spider.htm

https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/2019/11/november-21-2019.html

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 26, 2020

Location: David's pants, then my hand, Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

I am a male Regal Jumping Spider,
I'm much smaller than my partner
I've got black and white fringe on all of my legs
I'm smiley-face butted charmer.

Sources: University of Florida IFAS Extension - Regal Jumping Spider, Phidippus regius

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 21, 2019

Location: Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, Okeechobee

I am a female Phidippus regius
I have 8 eyes spread out over three rows
The males of my species are black and white
But I'm pretty and wear colorful clothes.

(This spider is harmless to humans, unless you hurt it, in which case it will bite, which will be painful but not medically significant.)

Sources: University of Floria IFAS Extension, Regal Jumping Spider

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson