Eresus walckenaeri 'Orange Ring Mountanica Local' (Giant Orange Ring 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.

Frequently asked questions about Eresus walckenaeri

• Do velvet spiders drink water? Yes, velvet spiders can and will drink water, which is a common misconception because we tell keepers that small ones do not need it. The catch is how it is offered. We recommend not misting the small ones, because it is very easy to overwater them, and dampness that lingers works against a small velvet spider. A dry, well-ventilated setup is the success formula.
• Why do baby velvet spiders not need water? Babies get the moisture they need from their prey, and a small enclosure is very easy to overmist. If it does not dry out quickly, that dampness works against the animal, so with the small ones we skip the mister and let their food do the work.
• How should small velvet spiders be housed? Small velvet spiders do best in smaller containers with a little ventilation, which makes it easy to check that everything dries out. As they grow and get a little larger, move them into a larger cage with more ventilation. We do not recommend putting them in a large cage until they have some size.
• Can I mist a larger velvet spider? Yes. Once a velvet spider has some size and is in a larger cage with good ventilation, you can mist it weekly. Do not let the enclosure dry out completely, and keep the airflow up so it never stays soggy. We do not recommend misting small vials.
• Can I handle my velvet spider? Velvet spiders prefer to be left in their webs, so we recommend letting them stay there. They can be picked up, but as with any animal, there is a risk of being bitten when handling them.

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.