Phoneutria Stars in Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award

[VaporRyder]

Weird and wonderful celebrated in Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards | ITV News

The entries ranged from an infestation of spiders to fighting fish, an inquisitive elephant and a serene gorilla. | ITV National News

www.itv.com

Amazing shot, I think. I’ll admit that I found it scary too, given the genus and location!

 

[Stefan2209]

Even better: Gil is a long-standing member of AB.

@wizentrop

 

[VaporRyder]

Even better: Gil is a long-standing member of AB.

@wizentrop

Oh cool! I see he had another image in there, a fishing spider weaving its egg sac.

 

[wizentrop]

Thanks, guys!

@Stefan2209 I remembered I had to correct my blog post from 2014 that the spider is P. fera and not P. boliviensis. I did it just in time before my notifications exploded. Thanks for correcting me on the ID a while back!

 

[Stefan2209]

You're welcome, glad to be of help. I really like your pics of this and many other specimens!

 

[VaporRyder]

My ‘Unicorn Spider’ if you like, is P. Nigriventer! I love the red chelicerae!

I made enquiries with the local council about a DWAL to keep them, and it seems straight forward enough - if quite costly.

The catches are:

1) I would need permission from my apartment block landlord - which could prove tricky.

2) Despite thinking I’m a good and safe keeper, I made a schoolboy error with a pokie a while back and had a ‘tong-sprint escape’ whilst reaching too close, to my usually chilled P. metallica, for the waterdish! It was effectively managed and no harm was done, but perhaps it’s an indicator that it’s just not worth the risk and I’m not at all ‘ready’ for such a spider. I got a bit lucky with the metallica’s directional choices too!

3) They are relatively short lived. Again, is it worth it?

Edit: Don’t laugh!

 

[Stefan2209]

P. nigriventer is one of the worst species out of the genus to keep. Especially if you don't have prior experience with other members of the genus.

The P. nigriventer specimens currently available in the pet trade in Europe are indeed this species but differ from the specimens imported from Paraguay back in 2006 (current stock seems to have been illegally imported from Brazil).
The Paraguay specimens were VERY large, with females averaging in the 12 - 13,5 cm leg span range. Those specimens showed lesser tolerance to disturbances than other species but were somewhat "ok" once you got used to it. Development duration from sling to adult took +/- 3 years with females living some 2-3 years once they matured. These observations are congruent with what is described for the natural history of this species (Bücherl, Lucas etc.).

The current P. nigriventer seem to grow to smaller sizes in general. I had / have two females that both maxed out at 9 cm leg span which puts them in the same size category as P. boliviensis which is one of the smallest species of the genus. Development from sling to adult is much faster, specimens matured in about one year. First female died about one year after maturation.
There's also a noteworthy difference in behavior since the current specimens react much more nervous and aggressive / defensive to perceived disturbances.

I think it's the same species that was around in 2006 - ??? and was thought to be P. keyserlingi (which was wrong). We back then noticed the differences to the Paraguay P. nigriventer but thought it was due to be a different species. We were wrong.

This species is dangerous and has nothing to show that makes it special.

If you're set to get into Phoneutria keeping no matter what i suggest to start with P. depilata or P. fera (most specimens sold in Europe as being P. fera at the moment are P. depilata anyway). They grow larger are medium tempered and most important not as nervous and unpredictable (these two aspects are most problematic in captive care) as the current P. nigriventer.

 

[HeartBum]

My ‘Unicorn Spider’ if you like, is P. Nigriventer! I love the red chelicerae!

I made enquiries with the local council about a DWAL to keep them, and it seems straight forward enough - if quite costly.

The catches are:

1) I would need permission from my apartment block landlord - which could prove tricky.

2) Despite thinking I’m a good and safe keeper, I made a schoolboy error with a pokie a while back and had a ‘tong-sprint escape’ whilst reaching too close, to my usually chilled P. metallica, for the waterdish! It was effectively managed and no harm was done, but perhaps it’s an indicator that it’s just not worth the risk and I’m not at all ‘ready’ for such a spider. I got a bit lucky with the metallica’s directional choices too!

3) They are relatively short lived. Again, is it worth it?

Edit: Don’t laugh!

Ahh I can see the newspaper headlines from the Daily Mirror now....
DEADLY SPIDERS ON THE LOOSE IN BRISTOL, KNOWN TO HAVE KILLED 400 PEOPLE ALREADY. ALSO IT'S PREGNANT. ALSO IT'S AS BIG AS A PUPPY. OH, AND IT EATS BABIES.

 

[Venom1080]

Thanks, guys!

@Stefan2209 I remembered I had to correct my blog post from 2014 that the spider is P. fera and not P. boliviensis. I did it just in time before my notifications exploded. Thanks for correcting me on the ID a while back!

And it was under your bed in Canada?

 

[VaporRyder]

P. nigriventer is one of the worst species out of the genus to keep. Especially if you don't have prior experience with other members of the genus.

The P. nigriventer specimens currently available in the pet trade in Europe are indeed this species but differ from the specimens imported from Paraguay back in 2006 (current stock seems to have been illegally imported from Brazil).
The Paraguay specimens were VERY large, with females averaging in the 12 - 13,5 cm leg span range. Those specimens showed lesser tolerance to disturbances than other species but were somewhat "ok" once you got used to it. Development duration from sling to adult took +/- 3 years with females living some 2-3 years once they matured. These observations are congruent with what is described for the natural history of this species (Bücherl, Lucas etc.).

The current P. nigriventer seem to grow to smaller sizes in general. I had / have two females that both maxed out at 9 cm leg span which puts them in the same size category as P. boliviensis which is one of the smallest species of the genus. Development from sling to adult is much faster, specimens matured in about one year. First female died about one year after maturation.
There's also a noteworthy difference in behavior since the current specimens react much more nervous and aggressive / defensive to perceived disturbances.

I think it's the same species that was around in 2006 - ??? and was thought to be P. keyserlingi (which was wrong). We back then noticed the differences to the Paraguay P. nigriventer but thought it was due to be a different species. We were wrong.

This species is dangerous and has nothing to show that makes it special.

If you're set to get into Phoneutria keeping no matter what i suggest to start with P. depilata or P. fera (most specimens sold in Europe as being P. fera at the moment are P. depilata anyway). They grow larger are medium tempered and most important not as nervous and unpredictable (these two aspects are most problematic in captive care) as the current P. nigriventer.

That’s great information, many thanks!

To be honest I’d probably fall at the permission hurdle, sadly. Risk to other residents etc.

I’ll definitely keep this in mind though, should I try and pursue it. You never know. If they (landlord) are persuaded that adequate protections are in place, and they would be, they might be ok. The council were very receptive.

 

[wizentrop]

And it was under your bed in Canada?

No, no. This was at a place I stayed in Ecuador, adjacent to a rainforest.

 

[The Snark]

I wish there was some way to Like an entire thread.