There are two colors of velvet spiders: black and red.The Velvet Spider, also known as the “Goliath Birdeater,” is a fascinating creature that captures the imagination with its unique characteristics and awe-inspiring behavior. This remarkable species belongs to the Theraphosidae family and is native to the rainforests of South America. Despite its name, the Velvet Spider is not a true spider but rather a type of tarantula.These incredible arachnids have captivated both scientists and nature enthusiasts alike with their astonishing size, impressive hunting techniques, and astonishing adaptations.
velvet spider pet Care Tips
Are these spiders easy?
Velvet spiders are hardy little spiders! They are quite laid back and great for a beginner spider keeper! They do not need to be held daily, in fact it is recommended you don’t hold them very much due to their nature to hide. They like a BONE DRY enclosure, so no need to even spray daily or worry about a water dish that will get dirty! With a little proper care you will be able to keep these wonderful, curious, and cute little creatures with joy and ease!
Food:
When your spiders are small you will want to feed them hydei fruitflies. As they grow you can offer them mealworms, wax worms, wax moths, house flies, & blue bottle flies/spikes. Feed slings every 1-3 days and Juvenile to Adult every 5-7 days on average.
Temperatures:
Room temps that are about 72-78 degrees F. seem to be a great range for these spiders.
Lighting:
Full spectrum – White LED lighting is great for these spiders. A day cycle of about 12 hours is recommended. Please do not ever place the enclosure in direct sunlight, it can overheat and kill them!
Lifespan:
On average most velvet species males live between 1-2 years and females live about 5 years.
Velvet Spiders: An Insight into Their Fascinating World
Velvet Spiders, belonging to the family Eresidae, are an intriguing group of arachnids. With their velvety appearance and unique behaviors, they have captivated the interest of spider enthusiasts and researchers alike. This comprehensive guide will delve into various aspects of these fascinating creatures, including their description, identification, social behavior, and care tips if you’re considering keeping one as a pet.
Velvet Spiders: A Brief Overview
Velvet Spiders are a small group, with about a 100 species spread across 9 genera[^1^]. Their distribution is primarily in the Old World, with only a single species known from Brazil. In Europe, they are familiar to some as the ladybird spiders, a reference to their unique color patterns.
The name ‘Velvet Spiders’ comes from their distinctive appearance. Their bodies are typically black or brown, but some species have brighter, more vibrant colors. The common name refers to their smooth, velvety texture, which sets them apart from other spiders.
Identification of Velvet Spiders
Identifying Velvet Spiders can be a bit challenging for the untrained eye as they can be confused with jumping spiders or those from the Palpimanidae family. However, certain features distinguish Velvet Spiders from other species. They possess a semi-rectangular carapace and a clypeal hood, characteristics that set them apart from most species except the Penestomidae. Further differentiation from Penestomidae comes from their eye arrangement, which features a straight anterior eye row and a strongly recurved posterior eye row, with the median eyes situated close together[^3^].
Understand the Social Behavior of Velvet Spiders
Some Velvet Spider species exhibit near eusocial behavior[^4^], something relatively rare in the arachnid world. This means they show a high level of social organization, lacking only a specialized caste system and a queen. They engage in cooperative brood rearing, a trait uncommon among spiders. Female Velvet Spiders showcase a unique form of maternal care. Upon the birth of her offspring, the mother spider liquefies her internal organs and regurgitates this material as nourishment for her young. When her ability to do so is exhausted, the young spiders consume the mother[^5^].
Genera of Velvet Spiders
The World Spider Catalog recognizes the following genera as part of the Velvet Spider family[^1^]:
- Adonea Simon, 1873 — Found in Portugal, Algeria, and Israel
- Dorceus C. L. Koch, 1846 — Distributed across Africa and Asia
- Dresserus Simon, 1876 — Native to Africa
- Eresus Walckenaer, 1805 — Found in Africa, Asia, and Europe
- Gandanameno Lehtinen, 1967 — Distributed in Namibia, South Africa, and Malawi
- Loureedia Miller, Griswold, Scharff, Řezáč, Szűts & Marhabaie, 2012 — Found in Africa and Asia
- Paradonea Lawrence, 1968 — Native to Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa
- Seothyra Purcell, 1903 — Found in Africa
- Stegodyphus Simon, 1873 — Distributed across Africa, Asia, and Brazil
Care Tips for Velvet Spiders
If you’re considering keeping a Velvet Spider as a pet, it’s crucial to understand their specific needs. They are generally hardy and laid back, making them a good choice for beginner spider keepers. However, they are not ideal pets if you prefer interactive pets, as they prefer to hide and should not be held frequently.
Housing
When Velvet Spiders are small, you can keep them in a 25 ml vial with bone-dry Sphagnum moss. As they grow, you need to provide larger enclosures with a bit of coco fiber substrate and bone-dry Sphagnum moss. Adults require an enclosure that is about 5″-8″. You can also add a small hide made out of cork bark.
Feeding
Small Velvet Spiders can be fed hydei fruit flies. As they grow, you can offer mealworms, wax worms, house flies, and blue bottle flies/spikes. Spiderlings should be fed every 1-3 days, while juveniles and adults should be fed every 5-7 days.
Temperature and Lighting
Velvet Spiders thrive in room temperatures around 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit. Use full-spectrum white LED lighting, with a day cycle of about 12 hours. Never place the enclosure in direct sunlight, as this can lead to overheating and potentially fatal conditions for the spider.
Lifespan
The lifespan of Velvet Spiders varies with gender. Males typically live between 1-2 years, while females can live up to 5 years.
Final Thoughts
Velvet Spiders are a captivating group of spiders, known for their unique appearance and intriguing behaviors. Whether you’re a spider enthusiast interested in their natural behaviors or considering keeping one as a pet, understanding their needs and characteristics is crucial. Remember, these spiders are an essential part of our ecosystem and should be treated with respect and care.
*[^1^]: “Family: Eresidae C. L. Koch, 1845”. World Spider Catalog. Natural History Museum Bern. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
*[^2^]: Marais, Johan (2 November 2020). “Velvet Spider – ASI”. African Snakebite Institute. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
*[^3^]: Miller, Jeremy; Griswold, Charles; Scharff, Nikolaj; Rezac, Milan; Szuts, Tamas; Marhabaie, Mohammad (2012-05-18). “The velvet spiders: an atlas of the Eresidae (Arachnida, Araneae)”. ZooKeys (195): 1–144. doi:10.3897/zookeys.195.2342. ISSN 1313-2970. PMC 3361087. PMID 22679386.
*[^4^]: Seibt, U.; Wickler, W. (1988). “Interspecific Tolerance in Social Stegodyphus Spiders (Eresidae, Araneae)”. Journal of Arachnology. 16 : 35–39.
*[^5^]: Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, October 2015.
