Greek Ladybird Spider

Eresus walckenaeri

True spiderintermediateVenom: Mild

About

A stunning ladybird spider — adult males are red with black spots, females a velvety dark burrower. Harmless to people (bite is medically insignificant). Wants an ARID, well-ventilated setup (30-50% humidity) with deep dry substrate for a silk-lined burrow; a light mist of the web every week or two is enough water. Keep around 68-78°F. Slow-growing and reclusive — a display animal you mostly see at the burrow mouth.

Taxonomy

FamilyEresidae

GenusEresus

Native regionGreece and the eastern Mediterranean

TypeFossorial

Temperamentshy; reclusive burrower

Size & growth

Adult sizefemale body ~0.6 in

Length8.00–16.00 mm

Growth rateslow

Climate

Temperature68–78 °F

Humidity30–50%

Enclosure

Adult sizesmall terrestrial enclosure, 2+ in substrate

Substratedry burrowable mix (soil/sand/clay); good ventilation

Substrate depth2-3 inches

Water dishOptional

Feeding

Feeding modePredator (live prey)

Prey sizeappropriately sized crickets / flies

Adult cadence1-2 prey per week

Times kept: 4