Gresham Pet Supply Pet Care Guide
Greek Velvet Spider
Eresus walckenaeri
Why We Love Them: Velvet spiders look exactly like their name suggests: they are covered in dense, plush hairs that make them look like walking velvet. They are incredibly cute, completely docile, and build massive, thick, beautiful web tunnels that they use to hunt their prey via trip-lines.
Lifespan
Females 3-5 years / Males ~1 year
Adult Size
1-1.5 inch body length
Enclosure
Small Acrylic Enclosure (4x4x6 inches)
Warm / Basking
75°–82°F
Cool Side
68°–72°F
Humidity / Water
30-50% (Bone Dry)
Species Profile & Temperament
| Trait | Overview |
|---|---|
| Diet Type | Insectivore (Crickets, Roaches, Mealworms) |
| Activity | Reclusive. Spends almost its entire life inside its web tunnel. |
| Temperament | Docile, calm, and slow-moving. |
| Handleability | Possible but not recommended. They are delicate and reclusive. |
| Venom | Reluctant to bite. Wash any bite with soap and water, and get medical help for a serious reaction. |
| Urticating Hairs | No (They are True Spiders, so they do not possess urticating hairs) |
| Difficulty | 2/5 — Easy (Extremely easy care, provided you keep them dry) |
| Hardiness | 3/5 — Moderate (Highly susceptible to high humidity and stagnant air) |
Safety Information
Venom/Defense: They are not tarantulas, so they cannot kick itchy hairs at you. Their only defense is to bite, though they are very reluctant to.
First Aid: If bitten, wash the area with soap and running water. If there is bad swelling, trouble breathing or dizziness, call 911. For any other health question, ask your doctor.
Handling Precautions: We do not recommend handling them. While they are docile, they are very clumsy outside of their webs and a fall can easily injure them.
Housing & Enclosure
Enclosure Type & Size
- Type: Terrestrial / Fossorial / Heavy Webber.
- Size: They do not need much space. A small enclosure with a secure lid works well. Ask our team for the right size. Too much space will actually make it harder for them to find their food.
- Ventilation (CRITICAL): Excellent cross-ventilation is absolutely required. Stagnant air will kill them.
Substrate
- Recommended: Bone-dry coconut fiber (Eco Earth), peat moss, or dry topsoil.
- Depth: Deep enough to dig a full burrow. Ask our team for the depth. They love to dig vertical or diagonal burrows and line the entire tunnel with thick velvet-like silk.
- Top Layer: Adding some dry sphagnum moss or small pieces of dry cork bark on the surface gives them excellent anchor points to attach their trip-lines.
Temperature
| Zone | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Ambient | Room temperature |
- Heating: Room temperature is perfect. Never use a heat pad or heat lamp.
Humidity & Hydration (CRITICAL)
- Target Range: Dry, with good airflow.
- The "No Misting" Rule: Do not mist this spider's enclosure. They originate from arid, dry environments. Excess moisture, damp soil, or high humidity will quickly cause lethal fungal infections.
- Hydration: They get most of their moisture from the live insects they eat. Ask our team whether to offer any water and how. Never let water soak into the dirt or land on the spider.
Diet & Nutrition
Velvet spiders are ambush predators. They will sit just inside the entrance of their web tunnel and wait for an insect to trip one of the silk lines they placed outside.
Primary Diet
- Live crickets, small dubia roaches, or mealworms. Ensure the prey is smaller than the spider's body.
Feeding Schedule
| Life Stage | Frequency | Prey Size |
|---|---|---|
| Spiderling (Sling) | Ask our team | Flightless fruit flies or pinhead crickets |
| Juvenile | Ask our team | Small crickets, smaller than the spider |
| Adult | Ask our team | Crickets or small roaches, smaller than the spider |
Feeding Notes
- Always drop the prey near the entrance of their web tunnel. If you drop it on the other side of the enclosure, the spider may never find it.
- Remove any uneaten prey. A live cricket left in a small enclosure can stress or injure the spider, especially during a molt.
Molting
During the Molt
- DO NOT disturb the spider. They will seal themselves inside their thick web tunnel for days or even weeks to molt safely.
- Do not attempt to dig them up or tear open their web to check on them.
Post-Molt Care
- Wait until it has come out and its new fangs have hardened before offering food. Ask our team when it is safe to feed.
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 | Tarantula Cribs Small/Medium Cube | Perfect size for an adult female |
| Substrate | Zoo Med Eco Earth (Dry Block) | Use the dry bricks, do not soak them prior to use! |
| Anchor Points | Zoo Med Natural Cork Bark (Small) | Place half-buried in the soil near the center |
| Hydration | Plastic Pipettes / Droppers | Only if our team says to offer water |
| Feeder Insects | Live Crickets | Size appropriately to the spider |
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 velvet spiders. 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: Velvet spiders do well at room temperature. Never use a heat pad or heat lamp.
- 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 Greek Velvet 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 Greek Velvet Spider need?
A small enclosure with a secure lid and good cross-ventilation. Too much space makes it harder for the spider to find food. Ask us for the right size.
Can I put isopods in a Greek Velvet Spider bioactive enclosure?
No. Velvet spiders need a dry setup, and isopods and springtails need damp soil. Keep it in its own enclosure with no other animals.
Where can I find Greek Velvet 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 Greek Velvet Spider setup, ready for pickup in store or shipped to you.
