The numbers
Enclosure
Tall pot/enclosure with 10-20 cm deep substrate for one spider
Diet
Crickets, roaches offered near the trapdoor at night · 1 item weekly to biweekly
Temperature
22-27°C
Humidity
75-85%
Identity
Order / Family
Araneae
IUCN / CITES
Not CITES-listed; several species range-restricted / data-deficient
Difficulty
Intermediate
Commonality
Specialist/collector; Thai native but seldom in general trade
Adult size
Body 1.5-3 cm; visible abdominal plates (segments)
Lifespan
Long-lived — potentially 10+ years (females)
Growth rate
Slow
Activity & niche
Fossorial — silk-lined burrow with a hinged trapdoor and signal lines; rarely leaves it
Temperament
Extremely shy; lightning-fast ambush from the burrow
Venom / defense
Mild venom, not medically significant; harmless bite — reclusive, not a handling species
Price (THB)
1,500-5,000 (indicative; import stock ~USD 150)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
22-27°C
Humidity
75-85%
Min. enclosure
Tall pot/enclosure with 10-20 cm deep substrate for one spider
Substrate
10-20 cm firm peat/clay/sand mix that holds a stable burrow, kept moist not swampy
Hides / decor / water
Deep substrate for burrow, some surface litter; light misting for moisture
Diet
Staple food
Crickets, roaches offered near the trapdoor at night
Feeding frequency
1 item weekly to biweekly
Supplements
Not required
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Not recommended — fast, delicate and secretive; harmless venom
Communal
No — solitary
Defense / stress signs
Slams trapdoor shut, retreats deep, refuses food
Reproduction
Reproduction
Oviparous — female guards an egg sac inside her burrow; spiderlings disperse to make their own burrows
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsBurrow collapse/dehydration if substrate too dry or loose; stress if disturbed
Red flags / quarantine
SignsProvide deep firm substrate immediately; QT wild-caught (most are WC); minimise disturbance
Good to know
- A 'living fossil' — the most primitive living spiders, with segmented abdomens and mid-body spinnerets
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