​How to Care for Your Speckled Orbweaver: A “Rooted” Guide

So, you’ve decided to “branch out” and keep a Speckled Orbweaver (Araneus circulissparsus) as a pet? Great choice! These tiny garden artists are low-maintenance and full of leafy charm. Here’s how to help your new friend “blossom” in captivity:

Enclosure Setup: The Perfect “Greenhouse”

• Enclosure Type: Go tall! A well-ventilated, vertical enclosure is ideal. For small orb weavers, a 30cm x 20cm x 20cm.glass or plastic terrarium works well. If you’re feeling fancy, mesh-sided enclosures like the Nano Breeze are also suitable for larger species.

• Anchor Points: Give your spider plenty of “branches” to grow on sticks, twigs, or lichen-covered wood are essential for web construction. Think of it as building a trellis for your eight-legged “vine.”
• Substrate: Use coco-peat, sphagnum moss, or leaf litter to help maintain humidity. It’s like giving your spider a soft forest floor to “root” itself in.
• Environment: Add green foliage (live or silk) to mimic their natural habitat and provide extra web support. Your orbweaver will appreciate the “bushland” vibes!

Care Requirements: Keeping Things “Fresh as a Daisy”

• Temperature: Maintain a cozy range of 18°C – 26°C (64°F – 79°F). They can briefly tolerate chilly mornings (down to 8°C) or hot afternoons (up to 30°C), but don’t let things get extreme for too long.

• Humidity: Lightly mist the enclosure or web once or twice a week. This lets your spider “sip” droplets and keeps humidity levels stable, no one likes a dry spell!
• Feeding: Offer small crickets or flies. Drop the prey directly into the web and watch your orbweaver “spring into action,” wrapping up dinner like a pro.
• Maintenance: Remove any food waste or “boluses” (those little prey leftovers) from the bottom of the enclosure to prevent mould. A tidy garden is a happy garden!