Eresus walckenaeri "Orange Ring" - Velvet Spider

Orange Ring Velvet Spider (Eresus walckenaeri)

Stage: Spiderling (Size: ~5mm) | Origin: Captive Bred

The Velvet Advantage

Velvety Aesthetics: These spiders are covered in dense, microscopic hairs that give them a matte, velvet appearance. They are famously "softer" looking than almost any other arachnid.

The "Orange Ring": As the name suggests, females of this locale develop a striking, vibrant orange-to-red ring on their abdomen, providing a stunning contrast against their jet-black body.

Impressive Longevity: While jumping spiders are short-lived, a female Eresus can live for 5 to 10 years, making them a long-term companion for your collection.

Fascinating Behaviour: They are subterranean engineers. Rather than hunting in the open, they build a silk-lined burrow with a "trip-wire" canopy at the entrance to catch passing prey.

Specifics for Juveniles

Appearance: At this stage, they are small, stocky, and starting to develop their signature velvety texture. The "Orange Ring" becomes more pronounced as they reach sub-adult stages.

Current Diet: Feeding reliably on D. hydei fruit flies. Unlike jumpers, they prefer ground-dwelling prey.

Temperament: Generally very docile and slow-moving. They do not jump; they prefer to retreat into their burrows when disturbed.

Sexing: Sold as unsexed.

UK Care Requirements (Important: Arid Species)

Humidity: Low (30% – 50%). Unlike Phidippus, Eresus thrive in dry conditions. They are very sensitive to stagnant, damp air. One corner of the substrate should be kept slightly damp, but the rest must remain bone-dry.

Substrate: They require deep substrate (at least 3–5 inches) to burrow. A mix of sand, soil, and clay that holds its shape is ideal.

Temperature: Prefers 24°C – 28°C. In the UK, a heat mat on the side of the enclosure (never underneath) is recommended during winter.

Lighting: No special lighting required, though they appreciate a natural day/night cycle.

Feeding & Transitioning

Velvet spiders are ambush predators.

How they hunt: They wait in their silk tubes for vibrations

Prey: Move them from micro-crickets to medium crickets or dubia roaches as they grow. They do not typically hunt flying insects like Green Bottle flies, as they prefer prey that walks over their silk "trip-wires."

Important Shipping Update

We have made the decision to dispatch all live spiders exclusively via Royal Mail Special Delivery (Guaranteed by 1pm).

The welfare of our spiders is our absolute priority, and we have implemented this policy for the following reasons:

• Reliability: Unfortunately, services such as Tracked 24 have recently seen an increase in delayed or lost parcels. When it comes to a living creature, we simply cannot take that risk.
• Priority Handling: Special Delivery is a premium service that bypasses the standard post. This means your spider spends as little time as possible in the mail system and isn't left sitting in a delivery office during a backlog.
• Reduced Stress: A faster journey means less stress for the spider, ensuring they arrive healthy, hydrated, and ready for their new home.

Please Note: To avoid any risk of your spider being held in a sorting office over the weekend, we only post orders from Monday to Thursday.

Velvet Spider "Sling" Dome Enclosure

Give your new velvet spider the perfect head start with our custom-designed temporary enclosures. These orb-style habitats are specifically curated to meet the needs of velvet slings, providing a secure, ventilated, and aesthetically pleasing home. Note: Enclosure designs vary.

Features:

• Bio-Inspired Decor: Each enclosure features a unique mix of natural preserved mosses, providing essential texture for web-building and humidity retention.
• Vibrant Accents: Decorated with high-quality artificial plants and floral accents to add a pop of color without the maintenance of live flora.
• Optimal Airflow: Fitted with a 3D-printed ventilated lid to ensure consistent air exchange while preventing escapes.
• Compact & Clear: The spherical design offers a 360° view of your velvet spider’s behavior and growth.

Note: These are temporary habitats designed for spiderlings (slings). As your velvet spider matures, they will eventually require a larger permanent enclosure.

📷 REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE

Please Note: The main image displays a mature adult. Your juvenile will arrive as a small, velvety black spider. The iconic orange ring and impressive adult size will develop slowly over several molts. Velvet spiders are slow growers, but the wait is well worth it!