• A mature female Heteropoda davidbowie, a huntsman spider species known as the David Bowie huntsman spider, poses on terra preta.
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Buddha Bugs

Heteropoda davidbowie (David Bowie huntsman spider) 0.33"

Heteropoda davidbowie (David Bowie huntsman spider) 0.33"

$30.00 USD
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Species Overview

Heteropoda davidbowie, commonly known as the David Bowie huntsman spider, is a medium-sized arboreal huntsman spider native to southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Mature females have a broad, flattened build and vary in coloration from pale beige or gray-brown to richer reddish-brown or vivid golden orange. The body is covered with dense setae, while the carapace, abdomen, and legs may show darker mottling, reddish markings, pale spots, and irregular banding. The facial region is especially distinctive, with cream to golden-orange setae around the eyes and upper chelicerae contrasting sharply with the dark to nearly black lower cheliceral area. Mature males are considerably more slender and proportionally longer-legged, with pale tan to gray-brown coloration, conspicuous orange-red longitudinal markings on the carapace and abdomen, pale cream markings around the eye region, and strongly mottled or banded legs. 

In captivity, H. davidbowie readily occupies narrow spaces behind cork bark, beneath broad leaves, between overlapping décor, or against enclosure walls. Individuals are usually concealed during the day but emerge after dark and may remain exposed on foliage, cork bark, and other vertical surfaces while waiting for prey or moving through the setup. This species does not construct a prey-capture web and instead captures prey directly from exposed surfaces or near its retreat. We have maintained H. davidbowie continuously in captivity for several years, successfully breeding the species and raising captive-produced offspring from spiderling to adulthood.

  • Common Name: David Bowie huntsman spider
  • Native Range: Southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and Sumatra, Indonesia
  • Life Habit: Arboreal
  • Adult Size: 3.5–4.25 inches in diagonal leg span
  • Lifespan: Males approximately 1–2 years; females 2–4+ years under optimal conditions
  • Temperament: Fast and skittish
  • Care Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Heteropoda davidbowie Care

Heteropoda davidbowie does well in a vertically oriented setup with adequate ventilation, moderate humidity, and numerous climbing and resting surfaces. Vertical cork bark, branches, and broad-leaved live or artificial plants provide elevated cover and allow the spider to choose between concealed daytime retreats and exposed surfaces used after dark. The setup should provide regular access to moisture without remaining consistently wet or poorly ventilated.

  • Enclosure: 7-dram vial or equivalent for spiderlings, upgraded as needed with growth; 7” x 7” x 10” or larger for adults
  • Substrate: 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 dĂ©cor that create narrow elevated retreats
  • Temperature: 72–82°F
  • Humidity: 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.
  • Diet: Fruit flies, crickets, cockroaches, and other appropriately sized feeder insects
  • Feeding: 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.
  • Water: 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.
  • Routine Maintenance: Remove uneaten prey, monitor moisture levels, and spot-clean when necessary.

Natural History

Heteropoda davidbowie was described by Peter Jäger in 2008 from specimens collected in the Cameron Highlands of Peninsular Malaysia. The species was named in honor of musician David Bowie, with the original dedication referencing his Glass Spider tour, Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, and the resemblance between the spider’s frontal markings and Bowie’s distinctive stage makeup. Although formal catalog records currently list the species from Malaysia, Singapore, and Sumatra, repeated field observations also document its occurrence in southern Thailand.

The original description reports adults from tree bark, while juveniles have been encountered among leaf litter and on the foliage of shrubs. The broad, flattened body and laterally oriented legs allow H. davidbowie to rest closely against bark, leaves, and other surfaces or enter narrow spaces beneath cover. Individuals generally remain sheltered during daylight hours and become active after dark, when they may wait or move openly across foliage, tree trunks, and other vertical surfaces while locating prey.

In 2026, during field observations in Selangor, Malaysia, we encountered a single immature H. davidbowie after dark at an elevation of approximately 1,100 feet. The spider was sitting exposed on the upper surface of a broadleaf fern beside a mountain road. Although a single observation cannot establish a general habitat preference, the encounter documents nocturnal use of living foliage along the vegetated edge of a mountain road and is consistent with published records of immature specimens occurring on low vegetation. The husbandry information provided here is informed by successful captive breeding, long-term maintenance through the species’ complete life cycle, and firsthand observation within its native range.

Shipping

Shipping method for live animal orders:

For orders containing live animals, shipping is offered throughout the continental US (48 states) through FedEx Priority Overnight. Orders containing both live and non-live products may be shipped together or seperately, depending on the items in the order, their sizes, and whether everything can fit in a single shipment. Orders with live and non-live products which need to be shipped seperately will incur additional shipping costs for the separate USPS shipping of the non-live items. Shipments containing live animals are dropped off on Tuesdays or Wednesdays for next-day arrival. By default, we ship all packages held for pickup to the closest FedEx Ship Center to the order address, requiring in-person pickup at that FedEx Ship Center. Home delivery of live animal orders is possible; however, packages shipped for delivery rather than held for pick up are not eligible for LAG, and doing so is against our advisement and at the customer's risk. This does not apply to customers who do not have a FedEx Ship Center near them that is authorized to accept live animal shipments; in these cases, orders will be shipped for home delivery, and LAG will be honored.

We also offer expo pickup and a DFW local meet-up option so you can save on shipping. See Expo Schedule for details. 

Shipping method for non-live orders:

For shipments containing no live animals, shipping is available to all 50 states via USPS Ground Advantage or USPS Priority Mail. Non-live shipments will be sent directly to the address listed on the order, typically on the day the order is placed or the following day. 

What to expect after placing an order:

After you place an order on our website, we will contact you within 12 hours to provide the delivery date and the FedEx pickup location. Please respond and let us know if that works for you. The package will NOT be shipped until we have your confirmation. A tracking number will be provided on the day of shipment.

There will be times when shipping must be delayed due to weather, our schedule, or if a tarantula you ordered has recently molted or appears to be about to molt. You will be notified if that happens, and we will work out another date. 

Carrier delays happen, so please ensure you or someone you know will be available to pick up your package, even if it's 1-3 days late. 

Live Arrival Guarantee (LAG):

Buddha Bugs offers LAG but ONLY when the following conditions are met:

  • "Freebies" are not covered by LAG.
  • For the safety of the animals and to ensure the best chance of live arrival, orders must be shipped to your nearest authorized FedEx Ship Center and held for pickup to be eligible for LAG. This does not apply to customers who do not have a FedEx Ship Center near them that is authorized to accept live animal shipments; in these cases, orders will be shipped for home delivery, and LAG will be honored.
  • The package must be picked up from FedEx on the day it arrives; any time during the store’s opening hours is fine. Please bring a valid ID. Picking up packages on any day other than the day of arrival will void the LAG. 
  • In the unlikely event of a DOA, we require notice and evidence within 3 hours of pickup. You must provide a clear photo/video of the deceased specimen. Refunds will not include shipping costs, and replacements may not always be available.
  • ANY DEVIATION OF THIS CAN RESULT IN LAG VOID

Home delivery is available upon request, but LAG is not offered for shipments sent for home delivery if there is an authorized FedEx Ship Center within 60 miles of the customer's zip code, due to the unpredictability of this shipping method. This does not apply to customers who do not have a FedEx Ship Center near them that is authorized to accept live animal shipments; in these cases, orders will be shipped for home delivery, and LAG will be honored.

Due to the risk to the animals, even in circumstances where the customer accepts LAG being voided for home delivery shipments, we will not ship animals for home delivery at or above 90°F or at or below 35°F.

Please remember that FedEx DOES NOT reimburse Buddha Bugs for lost packages or the loss of any live animals. We take every precaution we can to ensure your new pets arrive safely. 

Returns & Refunds

 

Returns & Refunds:

We DO NOT accept returns on live animals.

Non-live animal products may be returned for a refund within 14 days of delivery. The product must be unused and in its original packaging. After we receive your return, refunds will be processed within 5-10 business days. Refunds will not include shipping costs. Used products will be rejected and shipped back to the customer when possible. 

You will be refunded immediately if any animal in your order arrives dead. Please see our Shipping Policy for LAG details.

For online purchases with local pickup, pickup at a show, or for purchases made at a show, the customer is responsible for inspecting the purchased items and verifying that they are to their satisfaction. If they are not, they must express any dissatisfaction before the sale is completed, as all sales are final. We are not liable for damages after the customer receives their items due to issues including but not limited to the customer mishandling transport and/or overheating animals. 

Cancellations:  

We require a ~3% cancellation fee on all cancellations. For card payments, the fee is 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction; different payment methods may have slightly higher or lower fee amounts. This is a non-recoverable fee we are charged when processing your payment, and it is not refunded to us by Shopify when an order is canceled or a refund is issued. Canceling orders creates extra labor and costs on our end and reduces available stock for others who may be interested, so please make sure you are committed before placing an order.

If a product in your order is out of stock, we will contact you and offer the option to cancel part or all of your order. There's no extra fee for this; we apologize for any inconvenience.

Some Poecilotheria species cannot be shipped across state lines, as clearly stated in the product titles and product details. Please do not purchase if you live outside of Texas, or that portion/your whole order will be canceled and refunded immediately; you will also be charged a 10% cancellation fee, which will be deducted from the refund.

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