Six-eyed sand spider (Sicarius thomisoides)

Short answers

Six-eyed sand spider: How big does the enclosure need to be?

A small, escape-proof dry box ~20×20×15 cm with deep sand to bury themselves in.

Six-eyed sand spider: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–30 °C, at night 18–22 °C.

Six-eyed sand spider: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed (nocturnal, stays buried).

Six-eyed sand spider: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: long-lived, living several years (some Sicariidae over 8–10 years) – conservatively: several years.

Six-eyed sand spider: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–30 °C

Night temperature

18–22 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

very dry, 20–40 %

UVB

No UVB needed (nocturnal, stays buried)

Enclosure

Minimum size

a small, escape-proof dry box ~20×20×15 cm with deep sand to bury themselves in

Substrate

Deep fine sand or sand-loam (for burying), flat stones as hides

Feeding

Food

Beetles, insects, millipedes, and other spiders too; an ambush hunter

Feeding interval

every 1–2 weeks; tolerates long fasting periods

Key facts

Adult size

body ~12–20 mm, ~4–5 cm with the legs; flattened and camouflaged sand-coloured

Life expectancy

long-lived, living several years (some Sicariidae over 8–10 years) – conservatively: several years

Origin

The deserts and semi-deserts of northern and central Chile (sandy ground under stones)

Protection status

No species protection; BUT highly venomous – keeping venomous spiders is regulated, prohibited or subject to a permit in several German states (check your state law); no antivenom is available

Brumation

None (a slight winter drop is possible)

Cohabitation

Keep them singly. Sicarius sand spiders are solitary ambush predators that lie buried waiting for prey; two animals in the same enclosure mean food competition, not social contact. The reason is not fighting but feeding: anything that moves and fits the prey pattern is attacked — including a conspecific. They are only put together under supervision for controlled breeding.

Notes

VERY DANGEROUS – a venom containing sphingomyelinase D (phospholipase D), with potentially severe skin necrosis (similar to loxoscelism). Extremely shy (it flees or freezes rather than threatening) and buries itself completely in the sand; no handling, escape-proof, and only for experienced venomous-animal keepers.

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 Six-eyed sand spider (Sicarius thomisoides) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (a small, escape-proof dry box ~20×20×15 cm with deep sand to bury themselves in), substrate (Deep fine sand or sand-loam (for burying), flat stones as hides), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.