The numbers
Enclosure
20 × 20 × 30 cm
Diet
Crickets, roaches, moths · 1-2 items weekly
Temperature
25-30°C
Humidity
65-80%
Identity
Order / Family
Araneae
IUCN / CITES
Not CITES-listed; IUCN not assessed
Difficulty
Beginner–Intermediate
Commonality
Very common Thai native (frequent house guest)
Adult size
Body 2-3 cm; leg-span 7-12 cm; flat and fast
Lifespan
1.5-2 years
Growth rate
Fast
Activity & niche
Nocturnal, flat on walls/bark; free-roaming ambush hunter (no web)
Temperament
Fast, skittish, defensive; bolts for cover
Venom / defense
Mild venom, not medically significant; a defensive bite is painful but harmless — very fast, so not a handling species
Price (THB)
100-300 (Thai; often free wild-caught)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
25-30°C
Humidity
65-80%
Min. enclosure
20x20x30 cm vertical for one adult
Substrate
3-5 cm coco; vertical bark for resting
Hides / decor / water
Vertical cork bark, leaves, water dish; light misting
Diet
Staple food
Crickets, roaches, moths
Feeding frequency
1-2 items weekly
Supplements
Not required
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Not recommended — extremely fast, may bite; venom mild/not significant
Communal
No — solitary
Defense / stress signs
Rapid darting, flattening, raised front legs, may bite if cornered
Reproduction
Reproduction
Oviparous — female carries a flat silk egg sac under her body and guards spiderlings
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsDehydration; injury from falls; bad molt if too dry
Red flags / quarantine
SignsEscape artist — secure lid; QT wild-caught; check for missing legs
Good to know
- A famous natural pest-controller — eats cockroaches, so it is welcomed in many Thai homes
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 hesperusDwarf / spotted tailless whip spiderPhrynus marginemaculatus