This beautiful species in considered one of the most colorful true spiders of the world. It lives underneath palmetto leaves, primarily in sand pine scrub.

Todd Gearheart was the first person to captive breed this species on a regular basis and provided the U.S. hobby with captive-born stock from the mid 1990's to present. This species is from small, delicate and specialized habitats in Florida and they should NEVER been bought as wild-caught. I strongly recommend buying on CB stock for this species.

*** ONLY Captive-born spiderlings well-started (2nd/3rd instar) are offered for sale. Their parents are always captive-born. Sales are ONLY to professional, experienced keepers 18 yrs. or older. A venomous form will be required for purchase.

Scientific description author and date: Kaston, 1938

Range: Florida Habitat: Palmetto scrub.

Type: Arboreal

Color/pattern/appearance: Red and black with red hour glass marking underneath abdomen.

Maximum size: 16mm

Temperature: 78F-85F day. No lower than 55F night.

Humidity: 40-60%

Tank setup: Adults can be housed in 32 ounce cups to 2.5 gal. tanks with 1"-2" deep "Cocosoft" substrate or peat moss. No water dish needed. Provide climbing branches.

Feeding requirements: Spiderlings/juvs twice a week small cricket (1-2). Sub-adults/adults once a week one medium cricket. Water requirements: Mist tank once a week or two with fine water mist to keep humidity around 40-60%. Do not get too humid. This is a desert/scrub species that don't do well in 80% humidity environments.

Disposition: Aggressive. Do not free handle. Juvenile to adult females are dangerous with their bite. Mature males can not bite.

Venom effects: DANGEROUS especially to children under the age of 7, elderly people or anyone not in good health. Anti-venom is available in major hospitals.

Growth rate: Fast. Males mature in less than four months (?). Females in six (?).

Breeding remarks: Easy. Once breed, the female can make up to seven sacs. Number of eggs: 200+ first sac and by the seventh sac only about 40.