Eresus cf. moravicus 'Taygethos, Peloponnese' (Orange Face Velvet Spider) 1/8-1/4"

Eresus cf. moravicus 'Taygethos, Peloponnese' (Orange Face Velvet Spider)

The Orange Face Velvet Spider, or Eresus cf. moravicus 'Taygethos, Peloponnese', is a terrestrial true spider from the Taygetos mountains of the Peloponnese region of Greece, often found in bushes, grass, and among rocks. Adult females have a jet black coloration across the legs and abdomen, set off by a bright orange face across the front of the carapace (head), while mature males show their own bright red orange coloration, a rare locality known for keeping this contrast in both sexes instead of fading toward a plain black female like some other populations of this species. Spiderlings hatch out solid black and females begin showing their orange face around 1 inch, while the species only grows to about 2 inches in diagonal leg span. This species has a long lifespan for its size, with females reaching about 8 years while males live only 2 to 3. This velvet spider is also calm and low maintenance, and one we recommend for beginner keepers or anyone who wants an easier keeping experience. Grab this velvet spider for sale today, a true spider and not a tarantula, offered here as a spiderling.

Why do hobbyists keep the Orange Face Velvet Spider?

• Orange Face Coloration: Adult females carry a jet black body set off by a bright orange face, while mature males show their own bright red orange coloration, a genuinely rare locality combination where both sexes keep real color instead of the muted females seen in some other populations of this species.
• Low Maintenance Care: This velvet spider gets everything it needs from its food and a simple enclosure, asking for almost nothing beyond feeding, which makes it one of the easiest invertebrates in the hobby to keep.
• Large Adult Size: Most true spiders with this kind of build stay smaller, but this species reaches a good size for the category, about 2 inches for females, with males staying noticeably smaller, adding to the contrast between the sexes.
• Long-Lived True Spider: Females of this species can live around 8 years, giving you a true spider companion for the long haul, while males live a shorter 2 to 3 years after maturing.
• Alternative to Jumping Spiders: This true spider gets larger and displays more boldly than most jumping spiders, giving keepers who enjoy small, active invertebrates something with more presence to watch.
• Rare in the Hobby: The Taygethos, Peloponnese locality is a genuinely rare one to find offered for sale, and it is prized specifically because it keeps its color in both sexes rather than the muted females seen in some other populations.

How should Eresus cf. moravicus 'Taygethos, Peloponnese' be kept?

• Adult Size: Hatches around 0.125 inch in leg span and grows to about 2 inches for females, with males maturing smaller at around 0.75 inch, so plan on upsizing its home as it grows.
• Enclosure: A 2x2x3 inch enclosure works well at this stage, with about 0.75 inch of substrate and a few sticks or twigs propped up for it to anchor its web to, since this species builds a self-spun retreat and web rather than just burrowing.
• Rehousing: Plan on two more rehouses, into a 4x4x3 inch enclosure around 0.667 inch and a final 6x6x6 inch cube once it reaches 1 to 1.5 inches, which should comfortably see it through to adulthood.
• Temperature: Keep it around 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It does fine at normal room temperature and does not need supplemental heat.
• Humidity: At this size, no misting or added humidity is needed. The substrate can hold a touch of ambient moisture but should never be kept wet.
• Water: No water dish is needed at this size. Once it is over 0.5 inch, light misting or a small dish becomes appropriate, though still not required if it is feeding well.
• Diet: A 1/16 inch cricket or similar feeder, offered every other week while it is in its included vial.
• Temperament: Calm by nature. Like any true spider, it can be unpredictable.

Are there any additional notes or considerations for Eresus cf. moravicus 'Taygethos, Peloponnese'?

• Included Habitat Vial: This species ships in a small, roughly 5 gram vial lined with moss, the same housing we use for animals at this size in our own facility. It's not a complete habitat kit, just a small, effective setup that means no watering is needed while it's in there, so see Enclosure above for what to grow it into from here.
• Locality Note: "Taygethos, Peloponnese" refers to the Taygetos mountain range in Greece's Peloponnese region, where this population was collected.

Frequently asked questions about Orange Face Velvet Spider

• Is the Orange Face Velvet Spider a tarantula or a true spider? It's a true spider, not a tarantula. It belongs to Eresidae, a true spider family recognized by its velvet-textured coat, and this species in particular is known as a velvet spider or ladybird spider.
• Is this the same species as Eresus moravicus? We don't know for sure. We label it against the known species it most closely resembles, which is moravicus, but it's possible further study shows it to be its own distinct species. That's why we use "cf." in the name, Latin shorthand for "compare with," rather than stating the species outright. Either way, it's sold and cared for as a moravicus type velvet spider.
• Why do the females of this locality have color, when some other velvet spider populations don't? Color in female velvet spiders can vary a lot by locality, even within the same species. Some populations, like certain forms of Eresus walckenaeri, have plain black females with no orange or red at all. The Taygethos, Peloponnese population is one of the rare ones that keeps real color in both sexes, which is part of what makes it worth seeking out.
• Do velvet spiders drink water? Yes, adult and larger juvenile velvet spiders do drink water, though they also get a good amount of moisture from their prey.
• Why don't spiderling velvet spiders need water? At this size, a water dish is more of a drowning risk than a benefit. Spiderlings get all the moisture they need from their prey, so no dish or misting is necessary until they are a bit larger.
• How should I house a velvet spider this small? A small, simple enclosure with light substrate is all it needs at this size. Our included habitat vial is built exactly for this stage, see Enclosure above for what to grow it into from here.
• Should I mist a larger velvet spider? Once a velvet spider is past about 0.5 inch, light misting or a small water dish becomes appropriate, though it is still not required if the animal is feeding well.
• Can I handle my velvet spider? We prefer to leave velvet spiders in their webs rather than handling them, though they can be picked up if needed. As with any animal, there is some risk of being bitten.
• What is a velvet spider mom's lifespan after giving birth? A bred female typically lives only about 30 days after her clutch hatches, and the spiderlings share the web with her for a period before dispersing.
• Why do velvet spider moms feed their babies? This is called matriphagy. The mother liquefies her own insides for her spiderlings to feed on after she dies, which is standard behavior across all velvet spiders, not just this species.
• Can I buy velvet spiders online? Yes. We ship live velvet spiders directly to your door with live arrival guaranteed, so you can order this locality and any other velvet spider we carry straight from the site.

Listing Notes

• This listing is for an Eresus cf. moravicus 'Taygethos, Peloponnese' Orange Face Velvet Spider spiderling measuring around 0.125 to 0.25 inch in diagonal leg span, which is the size given in the title, unsexed, with roughly a 50/50 chance of male or female. It is not showing any color yet, and that is the point: females of this locality begin showing their orange face around 1 inch, so you get to watch it come in from here, while males take on their bright red orange color around maturity.