The numbers
Enclosure
40 × 40 × 40 cm
Diet
Flying insects — crickets, flies, grasshoppers · 2-4 insects weekly (voracious)
Temperature
25-32°C
Humidity
65-80%
Identity
Order / Family
Araneae
IUCN / CITES
Not CITES-listed; IUCN not assessed
Difficulty
Intermediate
Commonality
Common Thai native (wild); rarely deliberately kept
Adult size
Female body 1.5-2.5 cm; boldly banded; males tiny
Lifespan
Female ~1 year (annual)
Growth rate
Fast
Activity & niche
Diurnal orb-web ambusher; sits head-down in an 'X' of silk (stabilimentum)
Temperament
Docile, sedentary in web
Venom / defense
Mild venom, not medically significant; harmless — a bee-sting-level bite at worst
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
25-32°C
Humidity
65-80%
Min. enclosure
Mesh/screen cage ~40x40x40 cm for web
Substrate
Thin coco base; open frame for web
Hides / decor / water
Branches/plants for orb web; misting for water
Diet
Staple food
Flying insects — crickets, flies, grasshoppers
Feeding frequency
2-4 insects weekly (voracious)
Supplements
Not required
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Not handled; harmless but disrupts web; observe
Communal
Solitary webs
Defense / stress signs
Web-vibrating (pumping), drops on dragline, flees
Reproduction
Reproduction
Oviparous — large papery egg sac hung near the web; not live-bearing
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsShort annual lifespan; dehydration; won't rebuild if cramped
Red flags / quarantine
SignsWild adults near end of life; provide large web space; QT wild-caught
Good to know
- Decorates its web with a bright zig-zag silk 'cross' (stabilimentum) whose purpose is still debated
Others in this group
Regal jumping spiderPhidippus regiusTanzanian giant tailless whip spiderDamon diademaGiant vinegaroon / whip scorpionMastigoproctus giganteusWest African tailless whip spiderDamon mediusSouthern black widowLatrodectus mactansBold jumping spiderPhidippus audaxWestern black widowLatrodectus hesperusPantropical huntsman spiderHeteropoda venatoria