• A mature female Heteropoda schwendingeri, a Thai cave huntsman spider, poses on cork bark.
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Buddha Bugs

Heteropoda schwendingeri, formerly Heteropoda sp. 'Thai cave' (Thai cave huntsman spider) 0.33"

Heteropoda schwendingeri, formerly Heteropoda sp. 'Thai cave' (Thai cave huntsman spider) 0.33"

$30.00 USD
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Species Overview

Heteropoda schwendingeri, long circulated in the hobby as the Thai cave huntsman spider, is a large arboreal huntsman spider native to southern Thailand. Among the largest huntsman spiders currently maintained in captivity, this species is prized for its impressive adult size, active hunting behavior, and relatively straightforward husbandry. The original species description reported wild males reaching leg spans of approximately 9 inches and females approximately 6.7 inches, making this one of the largest huntsman spider species known. In captivity, however, specimens appear to mature at somewhat smaller sizes, with our largest mature male measuring approximately 7 inches in diagonal leg span and mature females typically reaching 5–6 inches.

Initially imported into the United States in 2021 as Heteropoda maxima, the reported collection locality quickly suggested that these spiders had been misidentified. They were subsequently circulated in the hobby as Heteropoda sp. ‘Thai cave’. In 2023, we were among the first breeders to successfully produce this species, and an examination of the palpal bulb of one of our mature males later confirmed that the captive population was Heteropoda schwendingeri.

Like other members of the genus Heteropoda, this species does not construct prey-capture webs and instead actively hunts insects and other suitable prey. In captivity, H. schwendingeri typically rests on enclosure walls, cork bark, broad leaves, and other elevated décor, producing very little silk other than safety lines. While often concealed during the day, larger specimens frequently emerge after dark to actively patrol their enclosure and may occasionally even remain visible during the day.

  • Hobby Name: Thai cave huntsman spider
  • Native Range: Southern Thailand
  • Life Habit: Arboreal
  • Adult Size: 5–7+ inches in diagonal leg span
  • Lifespan: Males approximately 2–3 years; females 3–4 years under optimal conditions
  • Temperament: Fast
  • Care Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Heteropoda schwendingeri Care

Heteropoda schwendingeri thrives in vertically oriented enclosures that provide ample climbing opportunities and secure resting sites. Like other huntsman spiders, it readily utilizes cork bark, branches, broad leaves, and similar enclosure décor while requiring only moderate humidity to thrive in captivity.

  • Enclosure: 7-dram vial or equivalent for spiderlings, upgraded as needed with growth; 8” x 8” x 12” or larger for adults
  • Substrate: Coconut fiber, peat moss, or similar substrate maintained slightly moist
  • Temperature: 72–82°F
  • Humidity: Moderate humidity with good ventilation
  • 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 enclosure surfaces with regular misting, which this species readily drinks from.
  • Routine Maintenance: Remove uneaten prey, monitor moisture levels, and spot-clean when necessary.

Natural History

Heteropoda schwendingeri was originally described from Chumphon Province in southern Thailand and has since been documented elsewhere in the region. Although it may also occur in karst habitats surrounding cave entrances, all published records of this species have come from within caves. The captive population is believed to descend from specimens collected from caves near Surat Thani Province, giving rise to the long-used hobby name “Thai cave” before the species was correctly identified. Like other huntsman spiders, H. schwendingeri is a fast-moving nocturnal predator that relies on speed and excellent eyesight rather than capture webs to locate and subdue prey.

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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