Orb weaver spiders, known for their intricate and often large webs, might pique the interest of invertebrate enthusiasts. But can these fascinating arachnids thrive outside their natural habitats, specifically in your home as pets? The answer is yes, you can keep orb weavers as pets, but it comes with specific considerations to ensure their well-being. This guide will delve into the essentials of keeping orb weavers, drawing upon expert knowledge to help you create a suitable environment for these unique creatures.
One of the primary challenges in keeping orb weavers lies in replicating their natural web-building environment. Unlike some spiders that readily adapt to confined spaces, orb weavers are genetically predisposed to construct webs of a certain size and shape. Confining a species that naturally builds expansive webs into a small enclosure can be detrimental. They may make feeble attempts at web-building, resulting in dysfunctional webs, or worse, they might cease web-building altogether and eventually starve, as their hunting strategy is entirely dependent on their webs. Orb weavers are not active hunters that chase down prey; they rely entirely on insects becoming ensnared in their meticulously crafted webs.
Beyond web construction, proper ventilation is crucial for orb weavers. They often depend on gentle breezes to carry their silk threads when initiating web construction, especially when establishing the initial scaffolding. Stagnant air can hinder their ability to build effectively and may negatively impact their overall health.
However, keeping orb weavers as pets is achievable if you select species that naturally construct smaller webs. Species like Argiope argentata (Silver Argiope) and Argiope trifasciata (Banded Argiope) are known to adapt relatively well to captivity due to their moderate web sizes. Conversely, attempting to keep larger Araneus species, which are inclined to build significantly larger webs, often proves unsuccessful, necessitating their release back into the wild. Species within the Larinioides genus may also be suitable candidates for captivity due to their potentially smaller web sizes. For those seeking a particularly striking orb weaver, the Gasteracantha cancriformis (Spiny-backed Orb Weaver) is an intriguing option to explore for keeping as a pet.
When it comes to housing, screen cages or mesh pop-up enclosures, commonly used for butterflies, are highly recommended. Larger enclosures are invariably better, providing ample space for web construction and movement. An 18-inch diameter hexagonal screen cage, approximately two feet tall, or an extra-large rectangular butterfly pop-up around three feet tall with sides of 18-24 inches, can serve as suitable homes. Inside the enclosure, incorporate several long sticks positioned at various angles. These sticks serve as crucial attachment points for web-building and also provide essential hiding spots. Many orb weaver species are nocturnal web dwellers, actively waiting for prey at night, but they typically retreat to secluded hiding places during daylight hours. Substrate choice is not critical, as orb weavers are primarily arboreal and will not spend time on the enclosure floor. Occasional light misting can be provided to maintain humidity, although it’s not definitively necessary. Orb weavers primarily obtain their hydration from their prey.
A notable observation regarding captive orb weavers is their reduced tendency to dismantle and rebuild or repair their webs compared to their wild counterparts. In captivity, webs will gradually deteriorate, accumulating tears and gaps until they become ineffective at capturing prey. When this occurs, intervention is necessary. Gently sweeping out the old, dilapidated web with a stick will prompt the orb weaver to initiate the construction of a fresh, new web, ensuring continued hunting success.
Feeding captive orb weavers can present a unique challenge. Crickets, a staple feeder insect for many invertebrates, are often ineffective for orb weavers as they tend to avoid entanglement in the webs. Attempts to directly toss crickets into webs may also fail, as crickets are capable of kicking themselves free. Roaches, similarly, are often too robust to be effectively trapped. Fruit flies are simply too small to be a worthwhile food source for most orb weaver species. An effective feeding strategy involves attracting moths by leaving a porch light illuminated at night and collecting them to offer to your spider. Flies are also readily accepted if you can catch them. Alternatively, purchasing fly pupae and refrigerating them to slow their development offers a convenient feeding solution. Introducing a few pupae into the enclosure every couple of days will ensure a continuous supply of freshly emerged flies, readily available for your orb weaver to capture.
In conclusion, keeping orb weaver spiders as pets is indeed possible and can be a rewarding experience for dedicated invertebrate enthusiasts. Success hinges on selecting appropriate species that build smaller webs, providing adequately sized and ventilated enclosures with ample web attachment points, maintaining their environment by removing old webs, and implementing effective feeding strategies. By understanding and catering to these specific needs, you can successfully observe and appreciate the fascinating web-spinning behaviors and unique beauty of orb weaver spiders in a captive setting.
