Huntsman spider (Heteropoda venatoria)

Short answers

Huntsman spider: How big does the enclosure need to be?

30×30×40 cm.

Huntsman spider: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–30 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 21–24 °C.

Huntsman spider: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not required.

Huntsman spider: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 1–3 years.

Huntsman spider: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–30 °C

Night temperature

21–24 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

65–80 %

UVB

Not required

Enclosure

Minimum size

30×30×40 cm

Substrate

Coco humus, cork bark, climbing structure

Feeding

Food

House crickets, roaches

Feeding interval

every 5–7 days

Key facts

Adult size

body 2–3 cm, leg span 8–12 cm

Life expectancy

1–3 years

Origin

Introduced across the tropics

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; harmless – despite its reputation the venom is not medically relevant

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Keep them strictly singly. Solitary and cannibalistic: two animals in one enclosure regularly end up as one. That applies to animals of the same size too, and even when both are well fed. For breeding, introduce the male under observation and separate them again immediately.

Notes

The classic "banana spider" from fruit shipments – harmless and unrelated to Phoneutria. Very fast and flat; the female carries the egg sac under her body.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Huntsman spider (Heteropoda venatoria) in the marketplace →

Related species

• David Bowie huntsman spider (Heteropoda davidbowie) – Intermediate
• Giant huntsman spider (Heteropoda maxima) – Intermediate
• Woodlouse spider (Dysdera crocata) – Intermediate
• Brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa) – Expert
• Tube-web spider (Segestria florentina) – Intermediate
• Raft spider (Dolomedes fimbriatus) – Expert
• Segmented spider (Liphistius sp.) – Expert
• Great raft spider (Dolomedes plantarius) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Huntsman spider (Heteropoda venatoria) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (30×30×40 cm), substrate (Coco humus, cork bark, climbing structure), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.