Spinybacked Orbweaver

Gasteracantha cancriformis

True spiderbeginnerVenom: Mild

About

A tiny, ornate, crab-shaped orb-weaver with six bright spines on a hard abdomen — completely harmless. Captive data is limited, so this is generalized orb-weaver care: a small, airy enclosure with twig anchor points for the orb it rebuilds most mornings, warm temperatures, a light daily mist, and small flying prey (fruit flies, houseflies). A short-lived annual; solitary.

Taxonomy

FamilyAraneidae

GenusGasteracantha

Native regionSouthern USA, Central and South America

TypeOrb-weaver (web)

Temperamentharmless, sedentary

Size & growth

Adult sizefemale 5-9 mm, male 2-3 mm

Length2.00–9.00 mm

Growth ratefast

Climate

Temperature72–85 °F

Humidity60–75%

Enclosure

Adult sizetall mesh cage with twig anchor points

Substratemoist substrate to hold ambient humidity; twigs/branches to anchor web

Substrate depth1-2 inches (web spider; rarely on the ground)

Water dishOptional

Feeding

Feeding modePredator (live prey)

Prey sizeflying insects, crickets

Adult cadence2-3 prey per week

Times kept: 0