Portia sp

[seanbond]

does anyone have any of these here in the states? iv known about these for some time, would be a sick spida to have thats for sure.

 

[ErikWestblom]

Unfortunately it would be really hard to care for...

 

[Deroplatys]

Hows that so?

 

[seanbond]

is it b/c they only eat certain spiders?
couldnt you just get like a orb weaver around the house or is it specific spiders it feeds on? iv heard they like spitting spiders too as targets and other jumping spiders.

 

[ErikWestblom]

Yeah, because they eat spiders. It would be hard to keep a supply of spiders available as prey all year around.

 

[Tarantula_Hawk]

Their diet is not exclusive of spiders. They can prey on regular insects if it's primary food supply is scarce. They are mainly specialized in orbweavers and other jumpers though (where did you read about spitting spiders? never read anything about that. I find it hard since spitters most of the time, dont share the same habitat, and are efficent spider hunters themselves too) so in the end, IMO, its not meant to be kept by hobbyists. It's an awesome spider, with incredibly dynamic behavior. I think it's better off in its natural habitat, or in the hands of scientists and researchers (who have enough material for its study).
And anyways, no one sells them afaik.

 

[8+)]

I also read an article that talked about them preying on spitters. It mentioned the fact that spitters liked to prey on other spiders, as a way of importing an even greater impression of Portia's hunting skills. Spitters are just no match for Portia, due to the latter's intelligence and superior eyesight.

Poo pooing the idea of hobbyists keeping these spiders, IMO, is misguided Tarantula_Hawk. One of their greatest attributes is their extreme adaptability. I can't imagine that they wouldn't adapt to captivity quite easily. I also can't imagine that researchers aren't breeding their own supply for their studies.

I wouldn't want to see them over collected in the wild, but I bet it's only a matter of time before these are available as CB specimens. Hobbyists owning them, breeding them, and discussing them on boards such as these, would only augment the findings of researchers.

 

[seanbond]

it would be quite the spida to keep have in the kollect.
they specifically prey on spitters when they have egg sacs, even than more vulnerable to the portia sp.

 

[syndicate]

There very cool spiders for sure..I dont really think Salticids make that great of captivs tho...I'd much rather see one in the wild then keep one in a jar!