Sun Spider Care Guide
Solifugae spp. — commonly called Sun Spiders / Camel Spiders
SIZE
• Adults: approx. 5–15 cm including legs
• Lifespan: generally 1–2 years
HOUSING
• Terrestrial, fast-moving and active
• Minimum adult enclosure: 45 × 30 × 30 cm
• Provide 10–15 cm of dry substrate for burrowing
• Add cork bark, rocks and hides
• Excellent ventilation and a very secure lid are essential
TEMPERATURE
• Day: 26–30°C
• Night: 20–24°C
• Provide a warm and cooler area
• Avoid excessive heat
LIGHTING
• No UVB required
• Normal day/night lighting is sufficient
• Despite the name, they do not require intense sunlight
HUMIDITY
• Keep low: around 30–40%
• Substrate should remain predominantly dry
• Avoid constant misting or damp conditions
FOOD
• Feed live insects such as crickets, locusts and roaches
• Offer appropriately sized prey regularly
• Remove uneaten prey to prevent stress or injury
WATER
• Provide a very shallow water dish
• Alternatively, occasional light moisture can be provided in one small area
• Avoid making the enclosure wet
SHEDDING
• Appetite may reduce before moulting
• Provide a quiet, undisturbed area
• Never handle during moulting
• Remove live prey if necessary
HANDLING
• Do not handle routinely
• Extremely fast and can bite if threatened
• Use long tongs or a catch cup when moving them
• Their powerful jaws can cause painful bites
HEALTH
• Watch for lethargy, inability to move normally, dehydration or injuries
• Excessive humidity can cause serious problems
• Correct temperature, dry conditions and good ventilation are important
CLEANING
• Remove uneaten prey promptly
• Remove waste and heavily soiled substrate
• Keep the water dish clean
• Avoid completely stripping the enclosure unnecessarily
BEFORE YOU BRING YOUR ANIMAL HOME
✓ Secure, escape-proof enclosure
✓ Deep, dry substrate
✓ Cork bark & hides
✓ Shallow water dish
✓ Thermometer/hygrometer
✓ Suitable heat source + thermostat
✓ Live feeder insects
✓ Long feeding/moving tongs
IMPORTANT BITS
• Very fast and defensive when threatened
• Keep enclosure securely closed at all times
• Do not handle unless absolutely necessary
• Keep conditions predominantly dry
• Provide plenty of substrate for natural burrowing
• Never house with other Sun Spiders unless the species is known to be communal
• Always treat them as a bite-risk animal
