Wayfarin
Arachnoknight
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2022
- Messages
- 237
Hello, invertebrate-keeping folks! I happen to be new to this forum, and the keeping of invertebrates, but I have questions concerning the well-known spider, Dysdera crocata, that I've been meaning to ask.
Does this spider live in northern New England, or more specifically, northern New Hampshire? And if so, how abundant is it?
As you might have guessed, that's where I live.
I suppose that only people who actually live in northern NH, or at least have been here, can answer this one. But the reason that I can't answer the question myself is because I am new to this region and have never lived this far north before. We recently moved from CT, which probably had these spiders, although I have never seen one, to northern NH, or more specifically, Groveton. It is a fairly suburban town, but I'm aware that Dysdera crocata is not deterred by urbanization. It's freezing cold here in the winter, though.
The reason I'm asking? I was thinking of capturing a specimen or two, or hopefully enough to breed, from our own yard. They're not actually native to North America to begin with, so it's obviously legal. I'd be willing to build a brush pile in order to make our yard more appealing to them. Or a wood pile to attract woodlice. Or whatever kind of habitat that they prefer. But I wouldn't want to waste my time if they don't even live here.
The range map on Wikipedia would seem to suggest that they live around here, but what really matters is not just their presence, but their abundance. Are they common enough to be encountered?
I suppose that I could just try to order some specimens online, but Dysdera crocata is almost never available. If I could get my hands on both sexes, I would probably breed them so that this underrated species becomes more readily available for other enthusiasts. But what's nice about catching them from the wild is that they can always be released if I can't take care of them anymore.
I suppose we could also look for specimens outside of our yard, even somewhere as far south as MA, where Dysdera crocata is apparently quite common. I don't think people will care if we are collecting a nonnative species.
On a side note, I was also wondering if the centipede, Lithobius forficatus, another nonnative species, could be found around here. But I'm sure it probably could. So that's not really my main concern.
If anyone would be willing to give their input, I'd be grateful. Thank you! God bless!
Does this spider live in northern New England, or more specifically, northern New Hampshire? And if so, how abundant is it?
As you might have guessed, that's where I live.
I suppose that only people who actually live in northern NH, or at least have been here, can answer this one. But the reason that I can't answer the question myself is because I am new to this region and have never lived this far north before. We recently moved from CT, which probably had these spiders, although I have never seen one, to northern NH, or more specifically, Groveton. It is a fairly suburban town, but I'm aware that Dysdera crocata is not deterred by urbanization. It's freezing cold here in the winter, though.
The reason I'm asking? I was thinking of capturing a specimen or two, or hopefully enough to breed, from our own yard. They're not actually native to North America to begin with, so it's obviously legal. I'd be willing to build a brush pile in order to make our yard more appealing to them. Or a wood pile to attract woodlice. Or whatever kind of habitat that they prefer. But I wouldn't want to waste my time if they don't even live here.
The range map on Wikipedia would seem to suggest that they live around here, but what really matters is not just their presence, but their abundance. Are they common enough to be encountered?
I suppose that I could just try to order some specimens online, but Dysdera crocata is almost never available. If I could get my hands on both sexes, I would probably breed them so that this underrated species becomes more readily available for other enthusiasts. But what's nice about catching them from the wild is that they can always be released if I can't take care of them anymore.
I suppose we could also look for specimens outside of our yard, even somewhere as far south as MA, where Dysdera crocata is apparently quite common. I don't think people will care if we are collecting a nonnative species.
On a side note, I was also wondering if the centipede, Lithobius forficatus, another nonnative species, could be found around here. But I'm sure it probably could. So that's not really my main concern.
If anyone would be willing to give their input, I'd be grateful. Thank you! God bless!
