Gasteracantha cancriformis
Gasteracantha • Araneidae
A tiny, ornate, crab-shaped orb-weaver with six bright spines on a hard abdomen — completely harmless. Captive data is limited, so this is generalized orb-weaver care: a small, airy enclosure with twig anchor points for the orb it rebuilds most mornings, warm temperatures, a light daily mist, and small flying prey (fruit flies, houseflies). A short-lived annual; solitary.
Temperature
72-85°F
Humidity
60-75%
Prey size: flying insects, crickets
Type
orb-weaver (web)
Adult Size
female 5-9 mm, male 2-3 mm
Growth Rate
fast
Native Region
Southern USA, Central and South America
Temperament
harmless, sedentary
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