• A female Loxosceles simillima, a Northern violin spider, poses on natural cork bark.
1 1

Buddha Bugs

Loxosceles simillima (northern violin spider) 0.25"

Loxosceles simillima (northern violin spider) 0.25"

$25.00 USD
$25.00 USD
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.

Before ordering: Unless marked “exact animal pictured,” photos are representative; refer to the product title or selected option for the size or sex offered. Shipped live-animal orders require a $50 cart subtotal and are normally held for pickup at an authorized FedEx Ship Center. Please review our Shipping & Live Arrival and Refund & Cancellation policies before purchasing.

Species Overview

Loxosceles simillima, commonly known as the northern violin spider and sometimes circulated in the hobby as the Namibian recluse spider, is a small terrestrial crevice-dwelling spider native to southern and south-central Africa. Adults are considerably more ornate than many Loxosceles species, and specimens can vary substantially in coloration and contrast. The carapace ranges from pale gray-brown to dark reddish-brown, with variable golden-tan radiating markings surrounding a darker median area. In some individuals, the familiar violin-shaped marking is subdued or partially obscured by this broader patterning. The abdomen displays an irregular mosaic of golden-yellow, ochre, orange-brown, dark brown, and nearly black markings that may form paired spots, broken longitudinal bands, and transverse patches. The long, slender legs range from gray-brown to reddish-brown, often with lighter coloration concentrated around several joints. Mature males are smaller-bodied and proportionally longer-legged than females. Like other members of the genus, L. simillima possesses six eyes arranged in three widely separated pairs, but reliable species-level identification requires more than coloration or the presence of a violin-shaped marking.

In captivity, L. simillima establishes a sparse network of irregular silk beneath cork bark or between closely overlapping pieces of décor. Individuals usually remain concealed during the day and become more active after dark. This species also displays substantial tolerance toward conspecifics and can be maintained communally when provided with sufficient space, prey, and separate retreats. This tolerance should not be confused with truly cooperative social behavior, and cannibalism remains possible under crowded or poorly provisioned conditions. Although these spiders generally retreat rather than defend themselves, they can move rapidly and possess medically significant venom.

  • Common Name: Northern violin spider, Namibian recluse spider
  • Native Range: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and South Africa
  • Life Habit: Terrestrial crevice-dweller
  • Adult Size: 1.75–2.5 inches in diagonal leg span
  • Lifespan: At least 3 years in captivity; exact maximum and sex-specific longevity remain poorly documented
  • Temperament: Secretive and generally reluctant to bite; capable of rapid movement when disturbed
  • Care Difficulty: Easy; strict containment and cautious maintenance required due to medically significant venom

Loxosceles simillima Care

Loxosceles simillima adapts well to captivity when maintained in a secure, well-ventilated enclosure with a mostly dry substrate and a narrow retreat. Although its environmental requirements are straightforward, its small size and medically significant venom require careful containment and deliberate maintenance practices. Individual housing provides the simplest and most predictable maintenance. Communal groups can also be successful but require proportionally more space, numerous separate retreats, regular feeding, and close observation. Members of Loxosceles generally have difficulty scaling clean, smooth vertical glass or plastic, making smooth-sided containers useful for housing and maintenance. However, this limitation should never be relied upon as the sole means of containment because scratches, seams, ventilation openings, accumulated silk, and enclosure décor can provide footholds. Long tools should be used during all maintenance and rehousing, and a secure catch cup should be kept within immediate reach. Whenever possible, perform these procedures inside a larger secondary container capable of holding the spider if it escapes the primary enclosure.

  • Enclosure: 1 oz condiment cup or similar for spiderlings, upgraded as needed with growth; 4” x 4” x 4” or larger for adults. Use a tightly locking lid and ventilation openings smaller than the spider’s carapace.
  • Substrate: A shallow layer of coconut fiber, peat moss, topsoil, sand, or a similar substrate is sufficient. Excessive substrate depth is not required. Provide a vertical or angled piece of cork bark positioned close to the enclosure wall to create a narrow, dark retreat.
  • Temperature: 72–82°F. 
  • Humidity: Low to moderate ambient humidity is generally sufficient. Approximately 25% of the substrate should remain slightly moist to provide a humidity gradient while allowing the remainder to stay dry. Avoid consistently damp substrate, condensation, and poorly ventilated conditions.
  • Diet: Fruit flies, crickets, cockroaches, and other appropriately sized feeder insects.
  • Feeding: Spiderlings can be offered appropriately sized prey once or twice weekly. 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 the designated portion of substrate as needed. Provide water droplets on enclosure walls, cork bark, or other surfaces through regular light misting. This species readily drinks from these surfaces. Do not saturate the substrate or mist the entire setup.
  • Routine Maintenance: Remove uneaten prey, monitor moisture levels, and spot-clean when necessary.

Natural History

Loxosceles simillima has one of the broadest documented distributions among African violin spiders. It has been recorded across nine African countries and, within South Africa, from elevations of approximately 83–1,816 meters. The species occurs in grassland, Nama Karoo, and savanna habitats. Individuals have been collected beneath rocks, fallen logs, loose bark, and leaf litter, as well as inside termite mounds, caves, buildings, and outbuildings. Rather than constructing a conventional prey-capture web, they produce only a small number of irregular silk strands around a concealed retreat. These strands can help alert the spider to nearby prey, but individuals may also leave the retreat to hunt after dark.

The species was described by R. F. Lawrence in 1927 from females collected at Andoni in present-day Namibia and Namakunde in Angola. Loxosceles spiniceps, described in 1952 from Zululand, South Africa, was placed in synonymy with L. simillima in a 2012 revision. Examination of specimens collected across the intervening range failed to reveal consistent differences separating the two. That revision also restored L. simillima as a valid species after it had previously been treated as a synonym of Loxosceles spinulosa. External patterning is useful for recognizing its general appearance, but the genital structures of mature specimens remain necessary for reliable separation from closely related African species.

Published captive observations provide unusually detailed information about reproduction and intraspecific tolerance in this species. One female excavated a shallow crater in sand, lined the depression with silk, deposited her eggs, and folded the surrounding substrate over the completed egg sac until it was concealed. Spiderlings emerged approximately one month later and remained near the female, which guarded them without displaying predatory behavior. The female and spiderlings were observed feeding on the same prey, and growing juveniles continued occupying groups when adequate space and food were available. These observations closely match the communal tolerance seen in established captive colonies, although individual retreats and consistent access to prey remain essential.

Shipping

Shipping method for live animal orders:

Orders containing live animals must have a subtotal of at least $50 to qualify for shipping.

For orders containing live animals, we ship throughout the continental U.S. (48 states) via FedEx Priority Overnight. Orders containing both live and non-live products may be shipped together or separately, depending on the items in the order, their sizes, and whether everything can fit safely in one shipment. When non-live products must be shipped separately by USPS, additional shipping charges will apply.

Live-animal packages are normally dropped off on Tuesdays or Wednesdays for next-day arrival. By default, packages are held for pickup at the nearest reasonably accessible FedEx Ship Center authorized to accept the shipment and must be collected in person.

Home delivery is available upon request. When a reasonably accessible authorized FedEx Ship Center is available, customer-requested home delivery is not eligible for our live arrival guarantee and is sent at the customer’s risk.

FedEx Ship Center availability varies by destination, and not every FedEx location is authorized to accept live-animal shipments. If no reasonably accessible authorized FedEx Ship Center is available, we will contact the customer and arrange home delivery. In this circumstance, home delivery remains eligible for LAG, provided all other LAG requirements are met.

Checkout shipping rates and free-shipping offers are based on FedEx Ship Center pickup. Any additional amount charged for home delivery is the customer’s responsibility and must be paid before shipment. For qualifying orders, free shipping covers standard Ship Center service but not any additional home-delivery cost. If no reasonably accessible authorized Ship Center is available and the customer declines the additional charge, the affected portion of the order—or the entire order when necessary—may be canceled without the standard cancellation fee.

We also offer expo pickup and a DFW local-meetup option. Please see our Expo Schedule for additional information.

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. We will ship non-live orders directly to the address listed on the order, typically the day the order is placed or the following day. 

What to expect after placing an order:

If your order contains live animals that will be shipped, we will contact you within 12 hours with a proposed delivery date and, when applicable, the FedEx Ship Center pickup location. If home delivery is requested or required, we will provide the delivery arrangements and any additional shipping charge. We will not ship the package until you confirm the arrangements and any outstanding shipping balance has been paid. Tracking information will be provided on the day of shipment.

Shipping may be delayed because of weather, carrier conditions, our schedule, or if an animal has recently molted or appears likely to molt. We will notify you if a delay is necessary and arrange another suitable date.

Carrier delays can occur. Customers remain responsible for meeting the applicable pickup or receipt requirements on the day the package actually arrives, even if it arrives later than originally scheduled.

Live Arrival Guarantee (LAG):

Buddha Bugs offers a live arrival guarantee only when all of the following conditions are met:

  • Freebies are not covered by LAG.
  • When a reasonably accessible FedEx Ship Center authorized to accept the shipment is available, the package must be held for pickup at that location.
  • If no such location is available, we will arrange home delivery. In this circumstance, home delivery remains eligible for LAG, provided all other requirements are met.
  • Packages held at a FedEx Ship Center must be picked up on the day they arrive. Pickup at any time during the location’s regular opening hours is acceptable. Please bring valid identification.
  • In the unlikely event of a DOA, the customer must contact us and provide clear photographic or video evidence within three hours of FedEx Ship Center pickup—or within three hours of delivery when an LAG-eligible home delivery applies.
  • Shipping costs are not refunded, and replacements may not always be available.

ANY DEVIATION FROM THESE REQUIREMENTS MAY VOID THE LAG.

Home delivery is available upon request. When a reasonably accessible FedEx Ship Center authorized to accept the shipment is available, customer-requested home delivery is not eligible for LAG and is sent at the customer’s risk. When no such location is available, home delivery arranged by Buddha Bugs is eligible for LAG, provided all other requirements are met.

For animal safety, we do not ship live animals for home delivery when temperatures are 90°F or higher or 35°F or lower, regardless of whether the shipment would otherwise qualify for LAG.

FedEx does not reimburse Buddha Bugs for lost packages or the loss of live animals. We take every reasonable precaution to give each shipment the best chance of arriving safely.

Returns & Refunds

Returns & Refunds:

We DO NOT accept returns on live animals.

You may return non-live animal products for a refund within 14 days of delivery. The product must be unused and in its original packaging. After we receive your return, we will process refunds within 5-10 business days. Refunds will not include shipping costs. We will reject used products and, when possible, ship them back to the customer. 

If an animal arrives deceased, contact us within the required three-hour period and provide clear photographic or video evidence. When all live arrival guarantee requirements are met, we will provide the applicable refund or arrange a replacement when available. Multi-count products are handled according to the number of live animals received. Shipping costs and freebies are not covered. Please review our Shipping & Live Arrival Policy for complete requirements.

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:

Customer-requested cancellations are subject to an approximately 3% cancellation fee. For card payments, the fee is 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction; different payment methods may have slightly higher or lower fee amounts. This reflects the nonrecoverable payment-processing cost charged when the order is placed and not returned to us when a refund is issued. Canceling an order also creates additional labor and temporarily removes inventory from availability, so please make sure you are committed before placing an order.

If a product is unavailable because of an inventory error, we will contact the customer and offer to cancel the affected product or the complete order without a cancellation fee.

If we determine after an order is placed that no reasonably accessible FedEx Ship Center authorized to accept the shipment is available, we will contact the customer with any additional cost required for home delivery. If the customer declines that additional charge, the affected portion of the order—or the entire order when necessary—may be canceled without the standard cancellation fee.

Certain ESA-listed Poecilotheria species cannot be shipped across state lines and are clearly marked “TX SALES ONLY” in their product titles and descriptions. If a customer outside Texas purchases one of these animals, the restricted portion of the order—or the entire order when necessary—will be canceled. The approximately 3% cancellation fee will be deducted from the refund because the restriction was disclosed before purchase. Refunds will be issued to the original payment method, but the time required for the credit to appear depends on the payment provider.

View full details