Are there any defensive Sparassidae species?

[Butterbean83]

Are there any Defensive Huntsman type species, I mean in general, as I do like a feisty arachnid pet.

Also what are the feistiest Ctenid species that can be kept in the UK? We can't keep Phoneutria species.

I'm after things that you'll see out on display so no Mygalomorphs like Macrothele or Trapdoor Spiders as you don't see them often.

Also, I know Sparassidae are pretty much unmatched in speed as far as True Spiders and Mygalomorphs. How would you rate a Ctenids speed in comparison with an OBT or Tappie?

Thankyou.

 

[DaveM]

Easy there, buddy. I'm guessing that you're not a humanitarian, by profession at least. Awesome profile picture, by the way!

I do understand. Monsters unleash a primal fascination in us, and the more monstrous the better.
However, you might not find much support for this darker avenue of the hobby here.

I had thought that you were able to keep Phoneutria in the UK if you get a DWA license? I could be wrong.
Some of the African and Asian tarantulas might give you the thrill you seek. Some of them will stand their ground with threat poses, more readily at least than any Sparassid.
I hope you prioritize animal welfare over thrill-seeking, of course, and scaring people would hurt the hobby.

 

[Ratmosphere]

Do you have any experience with fast true spiders?

I recommend starting with something like a Heteropoda davidbowie to get a feel for the speed, then move to something like Piloctenus haematostoma when you get more comfortable.

 

[Butterbean83]

DaveM

I've kept African and Asian Tarantulas, most were fast but didn't really stand their ground just ran to their burrow, I've found new worlds more defensive so far.

No I wouldn't put myself or anyone else in danger I wouldn't go poking around in an old worlds enclosure for instance l, without knowing where they are and making sure they can't run out onto anyone.

I'm not the type that likes to handle either. I just mean when you open their enclosure and they do stand their ground I think it's cool to see their behaviour but I don't seek to scare them into that, some seem to just take that defensive posture even upon opening the lid or feeding or watering them haha.

I would never try to purposely wind them up, that is when accidents happen, both for the keeper and the animals, if they were to get out and fall also then I know they're not likely to survive that, and one very bad bite could damage the hobby as I know some T species even can have potent venom but more so some Ctenid species like M Keyserlingi etc, of which, not much is known about how potent their venom is. I'd certainly not be trying to find that out first hand.

I just enjoy them being what they are and some of them are the more defensive species. It's like in the snake hobby, you get some venomous keepers handling their venomous snakes and that is just a risk to them and the snake and not great for the reputation of the hobby.

So, in answer to that, yes I do think some of the more defensive species are awesome tomsafeky observe

I don't intend to put myself, the arachnid, or anyone else in danger or to purposely scare them or annoy them into a defensive posture

I just know that some can not be happy with you even just putting water in their water bowl or feeding them haha

That's what I thought to be honest... I couldn't imagine the Sparassidae especially... Being very defensive with the speed they have and most of the species reputation for not really biting or even threat posing. I did read on one online store without naming names, as per forum rules, that Barylestis scutatus is fast and aggressive but wasn't too sure on the accuracy of that statement.

Yes you can keep Phoneutria with a DWA license in the UK but it is expensive to do so and is not all that easy, I wouldn't bother when there are plenty of other great species to choose from.


As far as Sparassidae I do like the look of Lichen Huntsmen but can't remember the Scientific or Latin name for them. I'm thinking of one of those, a Phormictopus species of Tarantula, and/or a Mantis species.

Interestingly, you can actually keep a Sicarius species like gracilis for example, without a DWA license, despite it's potency but Latrodectus, Loxosceles, Phoneutria and Atrax species.

 

[Butterbean83]

Do you have any experience with fast true spiders?

I recommend starting with something like a Heteropoda davidbowie to get a feel for the speed, then move to something like Piloctenus haematostoma when you get more comfortable.

I haven't had any experience with True Spiders yet. I have experience with Old world species and have experience with Psalmopeus species, just keeping a couple of New World species at the moment though. Would you say Heteropoda are faster, it's just less is known about venom potency of Piloctenus species so move onto those cautiously? I may do that. The most widely available here seems to be Barylestis scutatus but I have never heard too much about that species.

 

[Ratmosphere]

I'd say the H. davidbowie would give you a nice intro to huntsman. They move differently than T's and can easily escape into tight places if you aren't careful. Piloctenus haematostoma can be defensive and share a similar speed. It's ultimately up to you, and what you want to start with.

Barylestis scutatus as an intro to fast true spiders is an "eh" option in my opinion since there are conflicting claims on their venom potency. They aren't usually defensive but are fast.

 

[Butterbean83]

I never knew any Sparassidae had any reports of possible potent venom so I'm surprised to hear that about Barylestis scutatus. Awesome though as it's something I can read up on. Yeah that's a good shout and they are nice the Heteropoda David Bowie.

 

[Ratmosphere]

No official bite reports, just people claiming "medically significant" while others claim "mild". Nobody really knows since bites from huntsman are rare, as they rely more on their speed as you probably know.

Which one are you thinking about getting?

 

[Butterbean83]

No official bite reports, just people claiming "medically significant" while others claim "mild". Nobody really knows since bites from huntsman are rare, as they rely more on their speed as you probably know.

Which one are you thinking about getting?

I like the look of the Lichen Huntsman but not sure what they are like to keep. Heteropoda davidbowie is a good shout though and do look awesome so it that's a good one to start with I may go for one of those, they're beautiful.

 

[Andrew Clayton]

I like the look of the Lichen Huntsman but not sure what they are like to keep. Heteropoda davidbowie is a good shout though and do look awesome so it that's a good one to start with I may go for one of those, they're beautiful.

Cupiennius Salei there fast, females look amazing and makes some of the strongest webbing I've ever seen.