Eresus walckenaeri (Mediterranean Velvet Spider)

Eresus walckenaeri (Mediterranean Velvet Spider)

Eresus walckenaeri, the Mediterranean Velvet Spider, is a small, ground dwelling true spider known for a striking iridescent blue sheen across the legs, a jet black body, and a grey abdomen marked with a bold pattern of white spots. This species builds a silk lined burrow with a sheet web extending from the entrance, using the web to ambush passing prey rather than hunting it down. Grab this velvet spider for sale today if you want a genuinely different invertebrate keeping experience in a compact, low footprint setup.

Why do hobbyists keep Eresus walckenaeri?

• Stunning Coloration: An iridescent blue sheen across the legs paired with a white spotted grey abdomen makes this one of the more visually interesting small true spiders in the hobby.
• Unique Behavior: Builds a silk lined burrow with a sheet web at the entrance, an ambush hunting style that's genuinely different from typical tarantula behavior.
• Compact Footprint: A small adult size means this species fits comfortably in a small enclosure without sacrificing visual interest.
• Rare in the Hobby: A less commonly available true spider species, a great pickup for collectors who want something outside the usual tarantula lineup.

How should Eresus walckenaeri be kept?

• Adult Size: Reaches 1 to 2 inches at full leg span. A compact species well suited to a small setup.
• Enclosure: Provide a terrestrial setup roughly 3 times the leg span in width and depth, with substrate at least 2 times the leg span deep to support burrowing and sheet web construction.
• Temperature: Keep between 65 and 75 degrees F.
• Humidity: Keep on the drier side overall, with a slightly damp substrate layer below the surface. Good ventilation is critical. Cross ventilation works best, but ample top ventilation can also be effective as long as the enclosure is not over-misted.
• Water: A shallow textured water dish works well, something they can grip when climbing out.
• Diet: Small prey items such as flightless fruit flies or pinhead crickets, sized appropriately to this species' small stature.
• Temperament: Reclusive and burrow bound, spending most of its time at the entrance of its sheet web rather than out in the open.

Are there any additional notes or considerations?

• Sheet Web Behavior: Providing loose substrate and light debris gives this species the material it needs to build its signature silk lined burrow and sheet web.
• Genuinely Different Pick: A great choice for keepers who want to branch out from tarantulas into true spiders without sacrificing visual interest.
• Captive Bred: This Eresus walckenaeri is confirmed 100% captive bred.

Listing Notes

• This listing is for an unsexed Eresus walckenaeri. A great pick for keepers who want a compact, low footprint true spider with genuinely unique burrowing behavior.