{"product_id":"barylestis-occidentalis-west-african-huntsman-spider-for-sale","title":"Barylestis occidentalis (West African huntsman spider) 0.33\"","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cb\u003eSpecies Overview\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eBarylestis occidentalis\u003c\/i\u003e, referred to here as the West African huntsman spider and more commonly circulated in the hobby as the Cameroon crab spider, is a large arboreal huntsman spider native to sub-Saharan Africa. Mature specimens have a broad, flattened build and laterally oriented legs adapted for rapid movement across bark and other vertical surfaces. Their coloration is predominantly golden tan to ochre, with a narrow dark line running along the center of the carapace, bold curved black markings near its posterior margin, and a tawny abdomen patterned with a dark anterior band, paired black spots, and short longitudinal markings. The legs are tan to orange-brown with strongly contrasting dark bands and nearly black distal segments. Mature males are more slender and proportionally longer-legged.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn captivity, \u003ci\u003eB. occidentalis\u003c\/i\u003e readily occupies narrow spaces behind cork bark, between overlapping pieces of décor, or against the walls of its enclosure. It generally remains concealed during the day before becoming active after dark, when it waits near its retreat or moves across exposed surfaces in search of prey. This species does not construct a prey-capture web and instead relies on speed to pursue and overpower prey. Although individuals usually attempt to retreat rather than defend themselves, they can accelerate suddenly and pass through surprisingly narrow gaps, making a securely constructed enclosure and cautious maintenance essential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/b\u003e West African huntsman spider\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eNative Range:\u003c\/b\u003e Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan; likely more broadly distributed across western and central Africa\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eLife Habit:\u003c\/b\u003e Arboreal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/b\u003e 4–4.5 inches in diagonal leg span\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/b\u003e Males 1–2 years; females 2–3+ years under optimal conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/b\u003e Fast and skittish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCare Difficulty:\u003c\/b\u003e Easy to Moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBarylestis occidentalis\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e Care\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eBarylestis occidentalis\u003c\/i\u003e does well in vertically oriented enclosures with good ventilation, moderate humidity, and abundant climbing opportunities. Cork bark, branches, and broad-leaved live or artificial foliage increase usable surface area while providing elevated cover and narrow retreats similar to those occupied in the wild.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eEnclosure:\u003c\/b\u003e 7-dram vial or equivalent for spiderlings, upgraded as needed with growth; 7” x 7” x 10” or larger for adults\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSubstrate:\u003c\/b\u003e Coconut fiber, peat moss, or a similar moisture-retentive substrate; include vertical cork bark, branches, broad-leaved live or artificial plants, and overlapping pieces of décor that create narrow elevated retreats\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/b\u003e 72–82°F\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHumidity:\u003c\/b\u003e Moderate ambient humidity is generally sufficient. Approximately 25–50% of the substrate should retain moisture to provide a humidity gradient while allowing the remaining substrate to stay drier. Maintain adequate ventilation and avoid consistently wet or stagnant conditions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDiet:\u003c\/b\u003e Fruit flies, crickets, cockroaches, and other appropriately sized feeder insects\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/b\u003e Spiderlings can be offered appropriately sized prey one to two times weekly, with smaller specimens often benefiting from more frequent offerings. Juveniles and adults are typically fed every 7–14 days, with feeding frequency adjusted based on prey size, growth rate, and the condition of the individual animal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWater:\u003c\/b\u003e Lightly moisten part of the substrate as needed and provide water droplets on foliage, enclosure walls, cork bark, or other surfaces through regular light misting. This species readily drinks from these surfaces.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eRoutine Maintenance:\u003c\/b\u003e Remove uneaten prey, monitor moisture levels, and spot-clean when necessary.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cb\u003eNatural History\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eBarylestis occidentalis\u003c\/i\u003e was originally described by Eugène Simon in 1887 as \u003ci\u003eIsopeda occidentalis\u003c\/i\u003e from a syntype series bearing locality information for Assinie in present-day Côte d’Ivoire and Congo. The species was later placed in \u003ci\u003eTorania\u003c\/i\u003e before being transferred to \u003ci\u003eBarylestis\u003c\/i\u003e. Formally examined material has also been documented from Uganda and the Imatong Mountains of present-day South Sudan. Citizen-science observations include \u003ci\u003eBarylestis\u003c\/i\u003e specimens closely resembling \u003ci\u003eB. occidentalis\u003c\/i\u003e across a much broader portion of Africa, including Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic. Taken together with the widely separated published localities, these observations suggest that the species may have an extensive distribution across western and central Africa and into portions of eastern Africa. However, closely related members of \u003ci\u003eBarylestis\u003c\/i\u003e may be difficult to distinguish reliably from photographs alone, and these additional country records have not been confirmed through examination of diagnostic genital morphology. The broader distribution suggested by these observations, including the species’ apparent presence in Cameroon, is therefore plausible but remains formally unconfirmed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor many years, hobby specimens were distributed as \u003ci\u003eBarylestis scutatus\u003c\/i\u003e. That identification appears to have been based on the population’s reported Cameroonian origin and the longstanding association of true \u003ci\u003eB. scutatus\u003c\/i\u003e with that country. Examination of a mature male from the imported hobby population and comparison of its palpal bulb with published illustrations indicated that the examined specimen matched \u003ci\u003eB. occidentalis\u003c\/i\u003e rather than \u003ci\u003eB. scutatus\u003c\/i\u003e, supporting the reidentification of the captive population. Most breeders and sellers now use the corrected identification, although the former name remains common in older care information and some current sales listings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe coined the common name West African huntsman spider for this species. It reflects the meaning of the species epithet \u003ci\u003eoccidentalis\u003c\/i\u003e, meaning western, as well as the species’ documented and probable occurrence in western Africa. The more widespread hobby name Cameroon crab spider remains useful for recognition and may correspond to part of the species’ actual range, but “crab spider” can create confusion with the true crab spiders of the separate family \u003ci\u003eThomisidae\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Buddha Bugs","offers":[{"title":"1 ct","offer_id":50744176214325,"sku":null,"price":15.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3 ct","offer_id":50744176247093,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10 ct","offer_id":50744176279861,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0669\/4259\/9477\/files\/barylestis-occidentalis-west-african-huntsman-spider.jpg?v=1785621352","url":"https:\/\/buddha-bugs.com\/products\/barylestis-occidentalis-west-african-huntsman-spider-for-sale","provider":"Buddha Bugs","version":"1.0","type":"link"}