Eresus walckenaeri (Velvet Spider)

Eresus walckenaeri – Mediterranean Ladybird Spider

Origin: Found in Greece, Turkey, and parts of the eastern Mediterranean.

Size: Females: up to 2–2.5 cm body length (around 1 inch).

Males: smaller, about 1.2–1.5 cm body length.

Lifespan: Females can live 5–8 years.

Males usually live only 1–2 years after maturity.

Lifestyle: Fossorial (burrowing) and web-building.

Lives in silken retreats in the ground, often with a tube-like entrance surrounded by web threads.

Appearance: Females: Black to dark brown, robust build.

Males: Strikingly colorful – black body with bright red abdomen marked by black spots (hence “ladybird spider”).

Temperament: Generally shy and reclusive.

Will retreat to burrow when disturbed.

Not aggressive but may bite if provoked.

Care & Habitat:

Mimics dry Mediterranean scrublands.

Requires moderate warmth and slightly dry conditions.

Enclosure:

Small terrestrial setup with depth for burrowing.

Provide hides and anchor points for webbing.

Substrate:

Mix of sand and soil, 3–4 inches deep to allow burrow construction.

Do not water or mist.

Interesting Note:

These spiders are part of the velvet spider family (Eresidae), famous for maternal care—females guard their egg sacs and even provide food for spiderlings by regurgitation.