The numbers
Enclosure
40 × 40 × 60 cm
Diet
Flying insects — crickets, flies, moths, small locusts · 2-4 flying insects weekly (voracious)
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); niche as a display pet
Adult size
Female body 3-5 cm, leg-span to ~15-20 cm; males tiny (extreme dimorphism)
Lifespan
Female ~1 year (annual)
Growth rate
Fast
Activity & niche
Diurnal; sits in a huge golden orb web; sedentary web ambusher
Temperament
Docile, sedentary; stays in web
Venom / defense
Mild venom, not medically significant; a bite is like a bee sting — harmless, best observed in web
Price (THB)
100-300 (Thai; usually wild-caught) or unlisted
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
25-32°C
Humidity
65-80%
Min. enclosure
Large mesh/screen cage 40x40x60 cm+ for web building
Substrate
Thin coco base; the key is a tall open frame for the web
Hides / decor / water
Branches/frame for orb web, live plants; misting for water
Diet
Staple food
Flying insects — crickets, flies, moths, small locusts
Feeding frequency
2-4 flying insects weekly (voracious)
Supplements
Not required
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Best not handled; harmless but disrupts the web; observe instead
Communal
Tolerant — many share/overlap webs in the wild; small males live in the female's web
Defense / stress signs
Drops from web on a dragline, vibrates web, flees
Reproduction
Reproduction
Oviparous — female lays an egg mass wrapped in golden silk near the web; not live-bearing
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsShort annual lifespan; dehydration; won't rebuild if space too small
Red flags / quarantine
SignsWild-caught adults are near end of life; provide big web space; QT wild-caught
Good to know
- Spins golden-tinted silk so strong it can catch small birds and has been woven into rare textiles
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