Need help with captured tropical spider.

[kendoka]

I captured a spider in my house.

I was hoping someone could ID it since I don't know much about spiders. It's body is about half an inch long and its leg span is about 3 inches. Also, I was hoping if you could tell me if it's dangerous.

It was captured in puerto rico and my neighborhood is surrounded by swamps so it might have come from there.

I think it was injured while I was capturing it. I was wondering if it was possible to care for it until it healed. I don't want to kill it. I'd prefer to release it but in it's present condition I don't think it'll last long. I was wondering if they eat dead crickets or if they had to be alive.

Thanks for the help.

 

[zonbonzovi]

Not dangerous...it's Heteropoda venatoria, a huntsman spider. It'll eat crickets and other live insects. If you are going to keep it, give it a vertical enclosure with things to climb on & access to water(or misting). It'll do just as well in your house, happily hunting roaches and other home invaders.

 

[kendoka]

Thanks. I gave it some water but it's not drinking. And also will they eat ticks or ants? I haven't had any luck finding crickets in my backyard.

 

[Silberrücken]

Their favorite prey are roaches.

S.

 

[PhobeToPhile]

Thanks. I gave it some water but it's not drinking. And also will they eat ticks or ants? I haven't had any luck finding crickets in my backyard.

Puerto Rico eh? My mother's side of the family comes from there . Anyways, maybe you could just buy a few at the local pet store?

 

[kendoka]

As for roaches, they're my one irrational phobia. I'm not afraid of spiders or snakes or other insects, but roaches I can't stand them.

Crickets are ok though. I have plenty in my backyard I hear the annoying bastards every night. I just haven't been able to find any I've been checking under rocks and all I find are ants and the occasional centipede, and loads of snails. I also find small spiders, can it eat those?

Phobetophile, we're probably related. I meet new second and third cousins all time, seriously I must have over a hundred second cousins alone. My great-great grandparents didn't have anything better to do.

 

[zonbonzovi]

Try collecting moths after the sun goes down or set a pitfall trap:

http://insects.about.com/od/entomologytools/ht/byopitfalltrap.htm

Don't worry about the materials shown...any cylindrical container with open top/closed bottom will work. A carrot or piece of fruit placed in the bottom will lure crickets. A net during the day is usefull, too.

 

[Kruggar]

No ants, they can do some serious damage to any sized spider.

 

[buthus]

Looks like a male dying of old age. :?

 

[kendoka]

In case anyone was wondering I fed him a moth, he ate it during the night, and then I let him go the next morning.