Six-eyed Sand Spider
Sicarius thomisoides
The Sicarius thomisoides, the formidable 'Six-eyed Sand Spider' of South America. It is a legendary fossorial, famous for its hunting technique: it buries itself lightning fast under the fine sand moving its legs laterally like a crab, disappearing in a few seconds. Sand/ochre colored, it is a robust and flat spider, whose cuticle is covered with microscopic hairs that retain the grains of sand, offering a perfect camouflage. Closely related to the Loxosceles, it possesses a powerfully cytotoxic/necrotoxic venom. Fortunately, it is an extremely peaceful animal reluctant to bite, preferring absolute camouflage to any form of aggression.
Umgebung
Terrestrisch
Luftfeuchtigkeit
30 - 40 %
Tagestemperatur
24 - 30 °C
Nachttemperatur
18 - 22 °C
Artbeschreibung
Geographic Origin and Habitat: World Spider Catalog records Chile as the distribution of Sicarius thomisoides. This recovery makes no habitat statement beyond the cited facts above.
Taxonomy and Genetics: World Spider Catalog treats Sicarius thomisoides Walckenaer, 1847 as an accepted type species in genus Sicarius, family Sicariidae. It cites Walckenaer 1847a: 379 as the original description. This recovery makes no genetic statement beyond the cited facts above.
Behaviour and Habits: This recovery makes no behavioural statement beyond the cited facts above.
Morphology and Sexual Dimorphism: This recovery makes no morphological or sex-comparison statement beyond the cited facts above.
Pflege, Zucht und Mitbewohner
Terrarium Setup: This recovery provides no enclosure or substrate prescription.
Lighting and Heating: A thermal-ecology study of female Sicarius thomisoides from Chilean coastal and inland populations found no variation in thermal-performance-curve parameters, with a mean optimum of 25.33 ± 2.65 °C. This is a measured physiological result, not a heating target.
Humidity and Hydration: This recovery sets no humidity or watering target.
Feeding and Supplementation: This recovery sets no feeding or supplementation protocol.
Compatibility and Coexistence: This recovery makes no cohabitation recommendation.
Health and Common Diseases: This recovery provides no health, disease, toxicology, or treatment protocol.
Geografische Herkunft und Verbreitung
Diese Art stammt aus: Sud America (Deserti aridi e zone sabbiose del Cile).
Ursprung
Extra-Amazonas-Südamerika
Profil der terrestrischen Wirbellosen
- Diät
- Carnivore
- Sicarius thomisoides requires a diet rich in live invertebrate prey, relying on its keen senses and agility to hunt. Common feeder choices include small crickets, fruit flies for spiderlings, and appropriately sized roaches. Their fast metabolism sometimes necessitates more frequent feeding schedules depending on their specific size and age. Hydration is also crucial, often obtained from the moisture in their prey or a fine mist. Uneaten prey should be promptly removed to prevent enclosure contamination.
- Erwachsenengröße
- 2 cm
- Lebensstil/Mikrohabitat
- Fossorial
- The lifestyle of Sicarius thomisoides demands a carefully structured environment that caters to its specific terrestrial or arboreal nature. Owners must ensure a proper temperature gradient, allowing the animal to thermoregulate as needed. Their enclosures should offer multiple hides and climbing opportunities if appropriate for the species. Solitary housing is absolutely necessary to prevent territorial disputes and injury. Maintaining high standards of hygiene is critical for their long-term health.
- Aktivitätszyklus
- Nocturnal
- The activity pattern of Sicarius thomisoides typically aligns with crepuscular or nocturnal cycles. During the day, they remain securely tucked away in their hides to avoid desiccation and predators. As light levels drop, they emerge to actively forage, hunt, or explore their immediate surroundings. Artificial lighting in their enclosure should mimic natural day-night cycles without being overly intense. Disruptions to this cycle can cause feeding strikes or lethargy over time.
- Sozialität
- Solitary
- They are completely and fiercely solitary animals. Under no circumstances should they be cohabitated, as they are opportunistic predators that will readily kill and consume one another if given the chance.
- Reproduktion
- Oviparous
- Reproduction in Sicarius thomisoides requires careful conditioning and precise environmental parameters to ensure success. The male must be properly introduced to the female's enclosure to avoid immediate predation or aggressive behaviors. Following successful mating, the female will typically begin to construct an egg sac after a gestation period that varies by species. It is crucial to monitor the temperature and humidity to ensure the viability of the eggs. Once the young emerge, they should be separated promptly to prevent cannibalism.
- Giftig
- Yes
- Handhabungstoleranz
- Display only
- Handling Sicarius thomisoides is generally strongly discouraged due to the risk of stress to the animal and potential injury. A fall from even a short height can result in a fatal abdominal rupture or severe trauma. If moving the specimen is absolutely necessary, use a soft catch cup or a sterile brush to gently guide them. Owners should respect the creature's need for personal space and observe them strictly as display animals. Avoiding direct handling minimizes the chance of unpredictable defensive bites or stings.
- Brumation
- Nicht erforderlich
- In its natural habitat, Sicarius thomisoides may experience seasonal cooling that slows down its metabolic rate. In captivity, true brumation is rarely required unless breeding is explicitly planned. If temperatures naturally drop during winter, feeding frequency should be adjusted accordingly to match their reduced metabolism. It is important never to let the enclosure become freezing or excessively damp during these cooler periods. Careful monitoring ensures the specimen remains healthy until warmer conditions resume.
- Häutung
- Regular
- Molting is a critical and highly sensitive phase in the life cycle of Sicarius thomisoides. Leading up to a molt, they will often refuse food, become sluggish, and sometimes seal themselves entirely inside their hide. It is absolutely crucial to maintain proper humidity and never disturb the animal while it is molting. After shedding its exoskeleton, the animal will be extremely soft and vulnerable for several days. Feeding must be strictly withheld until the fangs or pincers have fully hardened to prevent fatal injuries.
Verwandte Arten
Empfehlungen gruppiert nach nahen Verwandten, Auswahl von Begleitern und ähnlicher Betreuung.
