Ladybird spider (Eresus kollari)

Short answers

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

~20×20×25 cm, deep dry substrate for the sloping burrow tube, in a sun-exposed position.

Ladybird spider: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–30 °C (sunny, warm slopes), basking spot locally 30–38 °C (sunlit spot above the tube), at night 12–18 °C.

Ladybird spider: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVA/UVB is beneficial (a xerothermic, sun-exposed species) – simulate a basking spot.

Ladybird spider: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: females live several years (approx. 3–4+ years, maturing late), males ~1 year.

Ladybird spider: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–30 °C (sunny, warm slopes)

Night temperature

12–18 °C

Basking spot

locally 30–38 °C (sunlit spot above the tube)

Humidity

40–55 % (dry, good ventilation; the tube somewhat more humid)

UVB

UVA/UVB is beneficial (a xerothermic, sun-exposed species) – simulate a basking spot

Enclosure

Minimum size

~20×20×25 cm, deep dry substrate for the sloping burrow tube, in a sun-exposed position

Substrate

Sandy, loamy dry substrate they can dig in (a burrow 5–10 cm deep), stones

Feeding

Food

Insects, mainly beetles, also locusts and crickets (robust prey)

Feeding interval

1×/week to every 10–14 days

Key facts

Adult size

females 10–16 mm (up to 20 mm in the south), males 8–11 mm

Life expectancy

females live several years (approx. 3–4+ years, maturing late), males ~1 year

Origin

Central and southern Europe; in Germany local (the Rhine and Nahe valleys, the Lüneburg Heath, Brandenburg), xerothermic dry grassland and heath

Protection status

Native, German Red List "Endangered"; specially protected (Federal Species Protection Ordinance) → taking from the wild is prohibited, and keeping it requires legal origin or a permit

Brumation

Yes – a cool, dry overwintering (about 2–10 °C) following the annual cycle

Cohabitation

Keep singly. Adults are solitary and territorial, each living in its own burrow. A notable exception: after hatching, spiderlings initially stay in the mother's burrow and feed on her after she dies from brood care (matriphagy) - but always keep adults separately.

Notes

The male mimics a ladybird (red with black dots, the "ladybird spider"); a burrow dweller of xerothermic sites; a protected native species, demanding to keep and legally tricky.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Woodlouse spider (Dysdera crocata) – Intermediate
• Huntsman spider (Heteropoda venatoria) – Beginner
• Brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa) – Expert
• David Bowie huntsman spider (Heteropoda davidbowie) – Intermediate
• 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 Ladybird spider (Eresus kollari) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (~20×20×25 cm, deep dry substrate for the sloping burrow tube, in a sun-exposed position), substrate (Sandy, loamy dry substrate they can dig in (a burrow 5–10 cm deep), stones), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.