The numbers
Enclosure
40 × 40 × 60 cm
Diet
Crickets, roaches, large feeders · 1-3 items weekly
Temperature
24-28°C
Humidity
80-90% (needs it wetter/warmer)
Identity
Order / Family
Amblypygi
IUCN / CITES
Not CITES-listed; IUCN not assessed
Difficulty
Intermediate
Commonality
Occasional premium import
Adult size
Body ~4-6 cm; leg-span to ~22-28 cm (among the largest)
Lifespan
5-10 years
Growth rate
Slow-medium
Activity & niche
Nocturnal vertical-surface ambush hunter of humid forest
Temperament
Shy, skittish, harmless
Venom / defense
Harmless — NO venom and no sting; long spiny pedipalps
Price (THB)
1,000-2,500 (indicative import)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
24-28°C
Humidity
80-90% (needs it wetter/warmer)
Min. enclosure
40x40x60 cm TALL for one adult
Substrate
5 cm moist coco; large vertical cork essential
Hides / decor / water
Big vertical cork/bark, water dish; frequent misting
Diet
Staple food
Crickets, roaches, large feeders
Feeding frequency
1-3 items weekly
Supplements
Not required
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Harmless; very long fragile legs — best not handled
Communal
Can be territorial; house singly or with great space
Defense / stress signs
Fast sideways scuttle, dropping, hiding flat
Reproduction
Reproduction
Oviparous — egg sac under abdomen; young ride the mother's back
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsMismolt without height/humidity; leg loss
Red flags / quarantine
SignsTall, humid setup before molt; reject stuck-leg specimens; QT wild-caught
Good to know
- Some Heterophrynus have the longest legs of any amblypygid — nearly 30 cm across
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