The numbers
Enclosure
25 × 25 × 35 cm
Diet
Crickets, roaches, moths · 1-2 items weekly
Temperature
25-29°C
Humidity
70-80%
Identity
Order / Family
Araneae
IUCN / CITES
Not CITES-listed; IUCN not assessed
Difficulty
Intermediate
Commonality
Popular SEA huntsman in the hobby
Adult size
Body ~2.5-3 cm; leg-span ~9-12 cm; golden hairs
Lifespan
2-3 years
Growth rate
Fast
Activity & niche
Nocturnal arboreal ambush hunter on trees/bark (no web)
Temperament
Fast, skittish, defensive
Venom / defense
Mild venom, not medically significant; defensive bite painful but harmless — too fast to handle
Price (THB)
400-900 (indicative)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
25-29°C
Humidity
70-80%
Min. enclosure
25x25x35 cm vertical for one adult
Substrate
4-5 cm moist coco; vertical bark essential
Hides / decor / water
Vertical cork bark, broad leaves, water dish; misting
Diet
Staple food
Crickets, roaches, moths
Feeding frequency
1-2 items weekly
Supplements
Not required
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Not recommended — very fast, may bite; venom mild/not significant
Communal
No — solitary
Defense / stress signs
Rapid darting, flattening, raised legs, may bite if cornered
Reproduction
Reproduction
Oviparous — female carries a silk egg sac and guards spiderlings
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsDehydration, fall injury, bad molt if too dry
Red flags / quarantine
SignsFast escaper — secure lid; QT wild-caught
Good to know
- Named after David Bowie in 2008, partly to highlight SE Asian spider conservation
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