Need help with captured tropical spider.

kendoka

Arachnopeon
Joined
May 14, 2011
Messages
10
I captured a spider in my house.

I was hoping someone could ID it since I don't know much about spiders. It's body is about half an inch long and its leg span is about 3 inches. Also, I was hoping if you could tell me if it's dangerous.

It was captured in puerto rico and my neighborhood is surrounded by swamps so it might have come from there.

I think it was injured while I was capturing it. I was wondering if it was possible to care for it until it healed. I don't want to kill it. I'd prefer to release it but in it's present condition I don't think it'll last long. I was wondering if they eat dead crickets or if they had to be alive.

Thanks for the help.
 

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zonbonzovi

Creeping beneath you
Old Timer
Joined
Oct 20, 2008
Messages
3,346
Not dangerous...it's Heteropoda venatoria, a huntsman spider. It'll eat crickets and other live insects. If you are going to keep it, give it a vertical enclosure with things to climb on & access to water(or misting). It'll do just as well in your house, happily hunting roaches and other home invaders.
 

kendoka

Arachnopeon
Joined
May 14, 2011
Messages
10
Thanks. I gave it some water but it's not drinking. And also will they eat ticks or ants? I haven't had any luck finding crickets in my backyard.
 

PhobeToPhile

Arachnoknight
Joined
Jun 14, 2010
Messages
210
Thanks. I gave it some water but it's not drinking. And also will they eat ticks or ants? I haven't had any luck finding crickets in my backyard.
Puerto Rico eh? My mother's side of the family comes from there :). Anyways, maybe you could just buy a few at the local pet store?
 

kendoka

Arachnopeon
Joined
May 14, 2011
Messages
10
As for roaches, they're my one irrational phobia. I'm not afraid of spiders or snakes or other insects, but roaches I can't stand them.

Crickets are ok though. I have plenty in my backyard I hear the annoying bastards every night. I just haven't been able to find any I've been checking under rocks and all I find are ants and the occasional centipede, and loads of snails. I also find small spiders, can it eat those?

Phobetophile, we're probably related. I meet new second and third cousins all time, seriously I must have over a hundred second cousins alone. My great-great grandparents didn't have anything better to do.
 

Kruggar

Arachnobaron
Joined
Mar 7, 2010
Messages
369
No ants, they can do some serious damage to any sized spider.
 

kendoka

Arachnopeon
Joined
May 14, 2011
Messages
10
In case anyone was wondering I fed him a moth, he ate it during the night, and then I let him go the next morning.
 
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