The numbers
Enclosure
30 × 30 × 30 cm
Diet
Small flying insects — fruit flies, house flies, small crickets · 2-3 small insects weekly
Temperature
25-32°C
Humidity
65-80%
Identity
Order / Family
Araneae
IUCN / CITES
Not CITES-listed; IUCN not assessed
Difficulty
Intermediate
Commonality
Very common Thai native (wild); rarely deliberately kept
Adult size
Female body ~0.6-1 cm wide, hard spiny 'crab-like' abdomen
Lifespan
Female ~1 year (annual)
Growth rate
Fast
Activity & niche
Diurnal orb-web ambusher in vegetation
Temperament
Docile, sedentary in web
Venom / defense
Mild venom, not medically significant; harmless — spines are not a sting
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
25-32°C
Humidity
65-80%
Min. enclosure
Mesh/screen cage ~30x30x30 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
Small flying insects — fruit flies, house flies, small crickets
Feeding frequency
2-3 small insects weekly
Supplements
Not required
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Not handled; harmless but disrupts web; observe
Communal
Solitary webs, but many can share a hedge
Defense / stress signs
Drops on dragline, vibrates web
Reproduction
Reproduction
Oviparous — small egg sac attached to vegetation; not live-bearing
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsShort annual lifespan; dehydration
Red flags / quarantine
SignsWild adults near end of life; QT wild-caught; big enough web frame
Good to know
- The hard, colourful spiny abdomen makes it look like a tiny crab — the spines deter bird predators
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