Gresham Pet Supply Pet Care Guide
Italian Ladybird Spider
Eresus ruficapillus
Why We Love Them: Velvet spiders are absolutely adorable! They are tiny, fuzzy, and look almost like a plush toy or a large jumping spider. The males of this species feature a striking red-and-black pattern on their abdomen that perfectly mimics a ladybird (ladybug). While they are very secretive and you may not see them often, feeding them is highly entertaining as they ambush prey from their silk tunnels!
Lifespan
Females 3-5 years / Males 1 year
Adult Size
0.5-0.6 inches
Enclosure
Small Acrylic Enclosure (4x4x6)
Warm / Basking
75°–82°F
Cool Side
68°–72°F
Humidity / Water
Bone Dry (Do not mist)
Species Profile & Temperament
| Trait | Overview |
|---|---|
| Diet Type | Insectivore (Fruit flies, small crickets) |
| Activity | Secretive (Spends most of its time hidden in a heavy silk tube burrow) |
| Temperament | Reclusive and docile. They are ambush predators that rely on vibrational sensing rather than sight. |
| Handleability | Do not handle. They are incredibly tiny and fragile. A slight squeeze or short fall is fatal. |
| Venom | Wash any bite with soap and water, and get medical help for a serious reaction. |
| Urticating Hairs | None |
| Difficulty | 2/5 — Easy (Care is very simple, as long as you follow the "bone dry" rule) |
| Hardiness | 2/5 — Delicate (Extremely sensitive to humidity; moisture is fatal) |
Safety & Husbandry Warnings (CRITICAL)
The "Bone Dry" Rule: This is an arid species that comes from hot, dry environments. Moisture is fatal. You must NEVER mist the enclosure. You must NEVER provide a water dish. They get most of the moisture they need from the bugs they eat. If the air in their enclosure becomes humid or stagnant, they will quickly succumb to fungal infections and die. Keep them bone dry with high cross-ventilation.
Housing & Enclosure
Enclosure Type & Size
- Type: Terrestrial / Heavy Webber.
- Minimum: Because they are incredibly small, they do not need—and should not have—a large enclosure. A small acrylic enclosure or a deli cup with ventilation holes is enough for a full-grown adult. Ask our team for the right size.
- Ventilation: Excellent cross-ventilation is critical to prevent stagnant air.
Substrate
- Recommended: Dry organic topsoil, dry coconut fiber, or a sand/soil mix.
- Depth: Enough for a small burrow. Ask our team for the depth. They will dig a small starter burrow and heavily line it with thick, white silk.
- Moisture: 100% Bone Dry. Never add water.
Décor & Enrichment
- Anchor Points: Provide a very small piece of cork bark or a small twig on top of the soil. This gives them an anchor point to attach their silk tubes to.
Temperature
| Zone | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Ambient | Room temperature |
- Heating: Room temperature is perfect. Never use a heat lamp or heat pad on such a small enclosure, as it will quickly bake the tiny spider.
Diet & Nutrition
They are ambush predators. They will sit just inside the entrance of their silk tube and wait for a bug to walk over their trip-lines.
Primary Diet
- Flightless fruit flies (for spiderlings), pinhead crickets, or extra-small mealworms.
Feeding Schedule
| Life Stage | Frequency | Prey Size |
|---|---|---|
| Spiderling (Sling) | Ask our team | Drosophila melanogaster (Fruit Flies) |
| Adult | Ask our team | Pinhead or small crickets, smaller than the spider |
- Maintenance: Remove any uneaten prey. A live cricket left in a tiny enclosure can stress or injure the spider.
Molting
During the Molt
- They will seal themselves entirely inside their silk tube to molt.
- DO NOT disturb the silk tube, tear it open, or try to check on them. They will emerge when they are ready.
- Remove any live feeder insects immediately.
What We Use & Recommend
These are products we use and recommend for this species. Stock varies by store, so ask us what we have in store today.
| Category | Product | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Enclosure | Zilla Micro Habitat (Terrestrial Small) | Perfect size and excellent cross-ventilation |
| Substrate | Zoo Med ReptiSand / Eco Earth Mix | Keep 100% dry at all times |
| Anchor Points | Zoo Med Natural Cork Bark (Small Chips) | Gives them a place to attach their silk tube |
| Tools | Exo Terra Fine Tongs | Necessary for precisely dropping in tiny feeder insects |
Last updated: 2026-08-04
How We Keep Them at Critter Cabana & Gresham Pet Supply
- Dry, Fresh Air All Year: Pacific Northwest furnaces dry out indoor air from October through April, and that suits this spider. We keep the substrate dry, give good cross-ventilation, and never soak the soil or mist the spider. Damp, stale air causes fatal fungal problems.
- Room Temperature, No Heat Pad: This tiny spider does well at room temperature. Never use a heat pad or heat lamp on its small enclosure.
- Shopping at Newberg & Gresham: For enclosures, cork bark, substrates, springtails and feeders at Critter Cabana (Newberg) and Gresham Pet Supply, ask us what we have in store today.
Common Questions (FAQ)
How do I keep my Italian Ladybird Spider warm and humid enough during an Oregon winter?
Room temperature is fine, with no heat pad or lamp. Keep the substrate dry and the air moving. Do not add a water dish or dampen the soil. Damp, stale air is what makes them sick.
What size enclosure does a Italian Ladybird Spider need?
A small enclosure with a secure lid and good cross-ventilation. This spider is tiny and does not need a large space. Ask us for the right size.
Can I put isopods in a Italian Ladybird Spider bioactive enclosure?
No. This spider needs a dry setup, and isopods and springtails need damp soil. Keep it in its own enclosure with no other animals.
Where can I find Italian Ladybird Spider, cork bark, and feeder insects in Oregon?
Ask us what we have in store today at our two exotic animal stores: Critter Cabana in Newberg (514 E First St, 503-537-2887) and Gresham Pet Supply (2185 NW Burnside Rd, 503-665-7606).
Shop supplies for this animal
Everything for your Italian Ladybird Spider setup, ready for pickup in store or shipped to you.
