Desert Velvet Spider

Stegodyphus lineatus Care Guide

Desert Velvet Spider

Revision Date: March 2025

Introduction

Stegodyphus lineatus, commonly known as the Lined Velvet Spider, is a fascinating species belonging to the velvet spider family (Eresidae). Unlike some of its Eresus relatives, this species is known for its social tendencies and communal web-building behavior. Found in arid regions of the Mediterranean and the Middle East, Stegodyphus lineatus constructs intricate silk nests in low vegetation, where multiple individuals may live together. Their behavior and web-building strategies set them apart from solitary velvet spiders, making them an interesting species for keepers who want to observe social interactions in arachnids.

While this care guide is focused on Stegodyphus lineatus, the same husbandry principles apply to other social velvet spiders, including species like Stegodyphus dumicola and Stegodyphus sarasinorum. If you are looking for care information on communal velvet spiders, this guide will give you a solid foundation to work from.

Quick Species Snapshot

• Scientific Name: Stegodyphus lineatus

• Common Names: Desert Velvet Spider, Lined Velvet Spider, Social Velvet Spider, Striped Velvet Spider

• Type: Communal/Semi-Arboreal

• Category: Old World

• Native Range: Mediterranean regions, including Spain, Israel, Turkey, and North Africa

• Size: Up to 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) in body length

• Venom Potency: Mild; not medically significant

• Growth Rate: Moderate

• Life Expectancy: 2–4 years

• Recommended Experience Level: Beginner to Intermediate

Etymology & Taxonomic Notes

The genus Stegodyphus belongs to the velvet spider family (Eresidae), a group known for their silk-dense retreats and, in some cases, communal living. The species name lineatus refers to the lined pattern on the abdomen, which is one of the distinguishing features of this spider. Unlike Eresus species, which are often brightly colored, Stegodyphus lineatus is more cryptic, with a pattern of black and white markings that help it blend into dry vegetation.

Natural Habitat & Unique Behaviors

Stegodyphus lineatus is native to arid and semi-arid environments, where it constructs large communal silk retreats in bushes and small trees. Unlike burrowing velvet spiders, this species prefers elevated nesting sites and creates dense silken nests that house multiple individuals. These nests provide protection from predators and serve as a base for cooperative hunting, where several spiders may assist in capturing prey.

In the wild, Stegodyphus lineatus is highly communal, living in tightly packed silk structures that can contain dozens of individuals. They work together to maintain and repair the web, and their cooperative nature extends to prey capture, where multiple spiders will subdue and consume insects that become trapped. Their silk nests are not just shelters but also serve as fortresses that deter predators and provide a microclimate that helps them survive in extreme conditions.

In captivity, this communal nature can be replicated, and Stegodyphus lineatus can be successfully housed in small groups. Keeping them communally allows for more natural behaviors, including cooperative web maintenance and group feeding. However, there are some risks to communal setups. Resource competition can lead to cannibalism if food is not provided consistently, and some individuals may be more dominant than others. It is important to ensure that all individuals have access to food, especially after molts when they may be more vulnerable.

That being said, keeping Stegodyphus lineatus singly is also a perfectly acceptable option. While they naturally live in groups, a single individual will still thrive in captivity as long as its enclosure provides ample webbing space and a proper diet. Some keepers may prefer a solitary setup to closely monitor feeding and behavior, as this eliminates the risks associated with group living. Whether housed alone or communally, Stegodyphus lineatus remains an engaging and unique species that is fascinating to observe.

One of the most fascinating behaviors of Stegodyphus lineatus is its communal feeding and maternal care. In a rare case of extreme parental investment, females engage in matriphagy, where they sacrifice themselves to feed their offspring. This ensures that spiderlings have the nutrients needed to survive their early instars in the harsh Mediterranean climate.

Unlike most spiders, Stegodyphus lineatus does not rely on active hunting. Instead, they use their dense communal webs to ensnare insects that fly or crawl into their silk structures. Their cooperative lifestyle and unique web-building habits make them a truly special species to observe in captivity.

Housing & Substrate

The following husbandry and enclosure recommendations are based on keeping a single Stegodyphus lineatus in captivity. However, if you plan to house them communally, simply move up a stage in enclosure size. Communal spiderlings should be kept in enclosures recommended for juveniles, and juvenile communal groups should be housed in the adult-recommended setups. Adult communal setups will require enclosures on the larger end of the recommended size range, or even slightly larger depending on the number of individuals being housed together. Ensuring ample space and structural support for their communal silk nest is crucial when keeping them in groups.

Spiderlings

• Enclosure Size: Use a small acrylic enclosure (e.g., Sling Crib, Canopy Mini, Terrestrial Sling Crib) It is important that their enclosure have plenty of ventilation as a build up of humidity could be fatal. Make sure the ventilation holes are not too wide or the sling might squeeze out and escape. I recommend the OG Sling Crib as it is secure, well ventilated, and crystal clear.

• Substrate: Fill at least 1/3rd - 1/2 of the enclosure with DRY Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude. I like to sprinkle some Exo Terra Stone Desert on the surface, but that is not necessary.

• Humidity: The most important thing about keeping most Velvet Spiders is that they need to be kept dry. I mean bone dry substrate and no misting, no water dishes, nothing. They get all the moisture they require from their prey and humid conditions can be fatal to this species in captivity. DO NOT MIST!

• Additional Features: Excelsior makes for a great decoration for the velvet spider to use to anchor their web tunnels. They will burrow if you provide ample substrate, but they will also climb around to hunt and extend their burrow.

Juveniles

• Enclosure Size: Use a medium enclosure (e.g., Cuboid Mini, Slider Crib Mini, 3" Tarantula Cube) that has ventilation holes small enough the spider can not squeeze out.

• Substrate: Fill the enclosure 1/3 to 1/2 full with Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude. Make sure the substrate is dry and add a layer of stone desert or sand for a more arid environment.

• Humidity: No water dish and no misting. They get all the moisture they require from their prey and humid conditions can be fatal to this species in captivity. DO NOT MIST!

• Additional Features: Small twigs or branches that they can use to anchor their web will encourage more elaborate webbing.

Adults

• Enclosure Size: Use an enclosure like the Small Slider Crib, Small Cuboid, 4" Tarantula Cube, or the 6" Tarantula Cube at the most.

• Substrate: Fill the enclosure 1/3 to 1/2 full with Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude to provide ample depth for burrowing while reducing fall distance.

• Additional Features: Sandblasted grapevine is great for velvet spider enclosures. It is light weight, loves dry environments and provides a lot of webbing opportunities. Thin branches or lightweight pieces of wood crisscrossed vertically will work as well. Avoid anything heavy.

• Humidity: No water dish and no misting. They get all the moisture they require from their prey and humid conditions can be fatal to this species in captivity. DO NOT MIST!

Note: "Semi‑arboreal" is not an official behavioral classification but rather a descriptive term used in the hobby to design enclosures that allow spiders to display some climbing and web anchoring behavior. For semi‑arboreal species, the enclosure is typically a square or horizontal rectangle rather than a tall arboreal setup. This design minimizes fall distance and risk of injury. Never use an arboreal enclosure for a species that is not truly arboreal.

Affiliate: Please use Tarantula Cribs (affiliate code TTC10) and Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude for substrate.

Temperature & Humidity

• Temperature: Maintain ambient temperatures between 68°F and 76°F (20°C to 24°C). They seem are more active at temperatures above 74f, but do not over heat them.

• Humidity: I will say it again: No water dish and no misting. They get all the moisture they require from their prey and humid conditions can be FATAL to this species in captivity. DO NOT MIST!

Feeding Schedule

Spiderlings

• Frequency:
  Feed twice a week.

• Prey:
  Offer small prey such as flightless fruit flies, confused flour beetles, or pre-killed tiny crickets/roach nymphs. Remove any uneaten prey after 24 hours. increase the size of the prey as the spider grows. Prekill any prey that is over 2/3 the size of the sling. For more detailed information on feeding spiderlings, watch this video: How To Feed Spiderlings

• Post-Molt:
  After molting, Eresus walckenaeri spiderlings need time for their new exoskeleton to fully harden before they can safely eat again. Their fangs start out soft and pale after molting, making it difficult for them to subdue prey. Attempting to feed too soon could stress the spiderling or even result in injury if it cannot properly handle or subdue its food.

  A good rule of thumb is to wait 24 to 48 hours before offering food. However, instead of relying solely on a time frame, it is best to observe your spiderling’s physical condition. Look for its fangs to turn solid black and for the exoskeleton to lose any soft or shiny appearance. These are clear indicators that it is ready to hunt again.

  When reintroducing food, start with something small and manageable, such as a flightless fruit fly or pre-killed pinhead cricket. If the spiderling does not show interest right away, remove the prey and wait another day before trying again. Providing properly timed feedings after a molt ensures healthy growth and reduces the risk of injury during this delicate stage of development.

Juveniles

• Frequency:
  Feed week as needed.

• Prey:
  Provide 2–3 small crickets or a small Dubia roach depending on the size of their abdomen.

• Feeding Guidelines:

  • If the abdomen is getting thin, feed more prey more often.

  • If the abdomen is looking to plump, feed less prey less often or skip all together until after they molt.
    A slightly plump abdomen indicates adequate feeding, while an overly distended abdomen might suggest they are ofer fed, which can lead to health issues.​

• Post-Molt:
  After a molt, juvenile Eresus walckenaeri need a bit more recovery time than spiderlings before they are ready to eat again. Their new exoskeleton starts out soft, and their fangs will be pale or even translucent at first. During this time, they are vulnerable and unable to properly subdue prey. Feeding too early can stress the spider or even lead to injury if it tries to hunt before its fangs are fully hardened.

  It is best to wait 3 to 7 days before offering food, but the most reliable way to tell if your juvenile is ready is by checking its fangs. Once they have turned solid black and the exoskeleton is no longer shiny, it is safe to start feeding again.

  When reintroducing food, start with appropriately sized prey like small crickets or dubia roach nymphs. If your spider does not show interest, remove the food and try again the next day. Molting is a taxing process, and some individuals take longer to regain their appetite. Keeping an eye on their behavior and physical condition will help ensure they are fed at the right time without unnecessary stress.

Adults

• Frequency:
  Feed every 2–3 weeks (or as needed).

• Prey:
  Offer 4–5 large crickets or one large Dubia roach.

• Feeding Guidelines:

  • If the abdomen starts looking thin, increase feeding frequency and/or amount.

  • If the abdomen starts looking distented or like a plump grape, reduce feeding frequency or skip feedings altogether until they molt.
    This is crucial to avoid obesity, which can interfere with proper molting or cause dangerous issues such as an abdomen rupture from a small fall.

• Post-Molt:
  After molting, adult Eresus walckenaeri require even more recovery time before they are ready to eat again. Their exoskeleton takes longer to fully harden compared to juveniles and spiderlings, and their fangs remain soft and pale for several days. Feeding too soon can be risky, as they may struggle to subdue prey or even injure themselves in the process.

  For adults, it is best to wait 5 to 10 days before offering food. However, rather than relying on a strict timeframe, the safest approach is to observe their physical condition. Their fangs should be solid black, and their exoskeleton should no longer appear shiny or soft. These are clear indicators that they have fully recovered and can safely eat again.

  When reintroducing food, if your spider does not show interest right away, remove the prey and try again a few days later. Some adults may take longer to regain their appetite, so patience is key. Ensuring that they are fully hardened before feeding helps prevent injury and supports a smooth recovery after a molt.

Behavior & Temperament

Unlike Eresus species, Stegodyphus lineatus is not aggressive and is highly tolerant of conspecifics, making communal setups not just possible but ideal. They are relatively docile and rarely bite, relying more on their silk defenses and retreating rather than displaying defensive behaviors. Their primary survival strategy is web density and communal living, where multiple individuals work together to maintain and defend their shared nest.

One of the most intriguing aspects of their behavior is their cooperative nature. Unlike most spiders, which are strictly solitary, Stegodyphus lineatus engages in communal web maintenance, prey capture, and even feeding. It is not uncommon to see multiple individuals working together to subdue an insect that becomes trapped in their web. This cooperative behavior helps ensure the survival of the colony, particularly in resource-scarce environments.

Additionally, this species is known for its maternal investment, with females going to extreme lengths to care for their offspring. Not only do they guard the egg sac, but once the spiderlings emerge, the mother will regurgitate partially digested food to nourish them. Eventually, the female will sacrifice herself entirely in a process called matriphagy, where the spiderlings consume her body for sustenance before dispersing. This is a rare and extreme example of parental care in arachnids and is one of the most distinctive traits of Stegodyphus lineatus.

Despite their communal tendencies, handling is strongly discouraged. These spiders are small, delicate, and easily stressed by external disturbances. They thrive when left undisturbed in their web structure, and any attempts to interact physically with them can cause unnecessary stress or even damage their nest. The best way to observe their behavior is by watching them in their enclosure as they work together to expand their silk retreat, capture prey, and maintain their web network.

Breeding Stegodyphus lineatus in Captivity

Breeding Stegodyphus lineatus can be a rewarding experience, especially for those interested in observing communal maternal care and cooperative behaviors in arachnids. Unlike solitary species where careful introduction of mates is necessary, S. lineatus naturally cohabitates, making breeding relatively straightforward. In communal setups, breeding will often occur naturally without intervention, as males and females share the same web and interact freely.

In a communal environment, once males mature, they will actively seek out receptive females within the shared web structure. This often happens without any aggression or need for separation. Since multiple males may be present, there is a higher likelihood of successful mating. However, if a communal group has multiple adult males, they may compete for mating opportunities, which could lead to occasional aggressive interactions.

In a solitary setup, keepers can introduce a male into the female's enclosure. Unlike tarantulas or other solitary spiders where careful monitoring is necessary to avoid predation, S. lineatus pairs usually cohabitate peacefully for extended periods after mating.

If keeping them communally, be aware that after successful fertilization, multiple females in the colony may produce egg sacs simultaneously, leading to a rapid increase in population. This is something to consider when planning long-term care, as the communal nest will need sufficient space and food supply to sustain the growing number of spiderlings. If necessary, young spiders can be separated into smaller groups to prevent overcrowding.

Sexual Maturity & Pairing

• Males mature in 1–2 years, while females take 2–3 years to reach reproductive age.

• Since this species naturally lives communally, males will typically seek out receptive females within the shared nest without human intervention.

• Mating occurs within the silk retreat, where males perform subtle courtship behaviors before inserting their emboli.

• Unlike some spider species where males risk being eaten post-mating, S. lineatus males often remain in the communal structure with no immediate threat from females.

Mating Process

• Males will approach a receptive female and engage in gentle leg-tapping and web vibrations as part of their courtship.

• If receptive, the female will allow copulation, which usually lasts several minutes.

• Unlike some aggressive species, S. lineatus mating is relatively peaceful, and males may mate multiple times within a communal nest before eventually dying of old age rather than predation.

Egg Sac Production

• After mating, females will produce an egg sac within 4–6 weeks, depositing it deep within their communal web structure.

• Each sac contains 30–100 eggs, though actual hatch rates depend on environmental conditions.

• The female remains close to the sac, guarding and maintaining the silk nest around it.

• Maternal investment is extreme; the female will begin breaking down internally to provide nutrients for her spiderlings once they hatch.

Matriphagy & Raising Spiderlings

• Upon hatching, spiderlings are initially dependent on the mother’s care. She regurgitates a liquid mixture of partially digested prey to feed them.

• Within 1–2 weeks, the young spiders begin consuming the mother in a process called matriphagy. This ensures that they receive all necessary nutrients before dispersing.

• Unlike some social arachnids, S. lineatus spiderlings often remain together for extended periods, forming small communal groups.

• In captivity, spiderlings can be left in the communal nest or separated into juvenile enclosures to ensure individual survival.

• Feeding should begin 3–4 days after emerging, with flightless fruit flies or other small prey.

Challenges & Considerations

• Egg Sac Survival: In a controlled environment, temperature and humidity must remain stable for successful egg sac incubation. Avoid excess disturbance during this time.

• Managing Communal Groups: While spiderlings naturally stay together, keepers should monitor for signs of resource competition or unexpected aggression, particularly as they grow.

• Captive Breeding Importance: Although this species is not currently at risk in the wild, captive breeding reduces the demand for wild-caught individuals, ensuring sustainable populations in the hobby.

Breeding Stegodyphus lineatus offers a rare chance to observe extreme maternal care and cooperative spider behaviors firsthand. Whether raising a small group or maintaining a single communal nest, watching this process unfold in captivity is one of the most rewarding aspects of keeping this species.

• Males mature in 1–2 years, females in 2–3 years.

• Since this species naturally cohabitates, pairing is straightforward, as males will seek out females within the communal nest.

Egg Sac Production

• Females lay 30–100 eggs inside the communal web.

• Maternal care is highly developed, with the female feeding her young through regurgitation before eventually sacrificing herself.

Raising Spiderlings

• Keep in a communal group if possible.

• Feed every 3–4 days with small prey.

• Avoid disturbing the web structure, as it is integral to their social structure.

Final Thoughts

Stegodyphus lineatus is a truly unique species that brings something special to the world of arachnid keeping. Their communal lifestyle, cooperative web-building, and extreme maternal care make them stand out from more solitary species. Whether you’re watching them work together to maintain their web, observing a female care for her young, or simply admiring their silk fortress, these spiders offer an experience unlike any other.

Despite their fascinating behaviors, S. lineatus remains an easy-to-care-for species, as long as their environment stays dry and well-ventilated. They thrive with minimal disturbance, making them an excellent display species for those who enjoy watching natural behaviors unfold in a captive setting.

For those interested in breeding, Stegodyphus lineatus provides an incredible opportunity to witness one of the most extreme examples of maternal sacrifice in the animal kingdom. While their communal nature makes breeding easy, keepers should be prepared for the potential rapid expansion of their colony.

Whether you choose to keep a single individual or an entire communal group, Stegodyphus lineatus is a rewarding and educational species that showcases the incredible diversity of arachnid behavior. By maintaining proper care and supporting captive breeding efforts, we can ensure that these spiders remain a sustainable and thriving part of the hobby for years to come.

Recommended Supplies:

• Enclosures: Tarantula Cribs (Use code TTC10 for 10% off)

• Substrate: Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude