Gandanameno spec.

A tiny black blackberry on eight legs? That’s the impression you might get when you see Gandanameno spec. for the first time. Its rounded body, velvety black hairs, and delicate white spots make this African velvet spider an extraordinary terrarium inhabitant. Especially when viewed from the side, its body takes on a subtle bluish sheen.

But the black velvet spider has much more to offer than just its striking appearance. It weaves intricate webs, patiently lies in wait for prey, and exhibits interesting behavior toward other members of its species. That’s why it’s worth getting to know this little spider a little better.

Black velvet with white dots

Gandanameno spec. belongs to the family Eresidae, which we also know as velvet spiders or tube spiders.

Its body appears sturdy and compact. Its rounded abdomen, in particular, immediately catches the eye. While its velvety fur appears jet black, small white spots provide a beautiful contrast.

In addition, depending on how the light hits it, the surface may take on a slight bluish sheen. This makes the spider look almost like a small black pearl.

Adult females can grow up to 3 cm in length. Males, on the other hand, remain significantly smaller, reaching about half that size.

It is precisely this difference in size that makes it easy to distinguish between the sexes later on.

A spider that designs its own home

The black velvet spider is not a typical ambush hunter. Instead, it sets up a permanent home and weaves it with its own silk.

To do this, she likes to use cork tubes, small cavities, or sheltered areas between branches.

From there, she spins fine threads. These not only serve as protection but also help her hunt.

As soon as a prey animal touches the threads, the spider senses the movement. It then leaves its hiding place in a flash and seizes its prey.

What’s particularly fascinating is that the web continues to expand over time. This creates a small network of living tubes and catching threads.

Group Housing—A Unique Feature with Limitations

Many spiders live strictly solitary lives. In contrast, researchers have observed distinct social behavior in some velvet spiders.

A communal lifestyle is also described for Gandanameno spec. In this context, young individuals may initially construct their burrows close together.

As they get older, however, the animals begin to claim their own spaces.

Still, you shouldn’t confuse group housing with a permanently peaceful coexistence. Even among species that exhibit social behavior, competition, stress, and cannibalism can occur.

To ensure their safety, we therefore recommend keeping Gandanameno spec. in individual tanks.

This way, you can feed each animal individually and better monitor its development.

Warm and mostly dry

Gandanameno spec. is native to Africa and prefers a warm, fairly dry terrarium.

Temperatures between 24 and 28 °C provide a good guideline for keeping them.

In addition, the substrate should remain mostly dry. A constantly wet environment does not meet the needs of this spider as described.

Occasionally, you can lightly moisten a small area. However, it’s important to let the moisture dry off again.

Good aeration also helps prevent waterlogging.

The spider gets most of its fluid intake from its prey. However, if you have enough space, you can provide a very shallow water dish.

How to Set Up a Terrarium

For the black velvet spider, it’s not the height of the terrarium that matters, but rather the right setup.

This is because it needs sheltered spots where it can build its burrow.

Cork tubes and pieces of cork bark are particularly well-suited. These provide natural cavities and also serve as a foundation for their webs.

You can also use dry grasses, thin twigs, and small branches.

This creates additional attachment points for the guide threads.

Tillandsias can also enhance the look of your home. Just be careful not to disturb the spider unnecessarily when you spray the plants.

A loose, mostly dry substrate completes the terrarium.

Feeding – preferably crawling prey

Gandanameno spec. responds particularly well to prey that moves along the substrate or among the webs.

These include, for example, small crickets, field crickets, and cockroaches.

Suitable grasshoppers are also an option for larger animals.

However, it’s important that the prey is the right size for the spider. That’s why you should offer significantly smaller feed insects, especially to young spiders.

For adult animals, feeding once a week is often sufficient.

However, actual needs depend on size, age, and nutritional status.

Before molting, the spider often stops eating. At first, this is no cause for concern.

During this time, remove any leftover prey so that it does not disturb or injure the spider while it is molting.

Slow Development and Interesting Reproduction

It takes some time for the black velvet spider to reach its full size.

According to the available care guidelines , females do not reach sexual maturity until they are about 2.5 to 3 years old.

Males, on the other hand, develop more quickly and usually live significantly shorter lives after their final molt.

Females are reported to have a lifespan of up to five years.

Brood care is particularly interesting. While in some velvet spiders the young eventually eat their mother, it has been reported that females of the Gandanameno form offered here can produce multiple cocoons.

However, since the animals are sold under the designation Gandanameno spec. rather than with a clearly defined species name, such information cannot be readily applied to all members of the genus.

Is Gandanameno spec. suitable for beginners?

The black velvet spider is particularly well-suited for owners who enjoy observing natural behavior.

After all, she spends a large part of her time in or near her web.

If you’re patient, you can watch her expand her den and react to prey.

Keeping them is fairly straightforward when temperatures are right and their enclosure is dry.

However, you should already have some experience handling small spiders.

In addition, this is an animal meant to be observed, so you should avoid touching it if possible.

Advantages at a glance

• A velvety black spider with striking white spots
• A subtle bluish sheen when the light hits it just right
• Compact body with a rounded abdomen
• Females can grow up to 3 cm in body length
• An interesting structure of residential tubes and hunting webs
• Fascinating Hunting Behavior
• Prefers warm temperatures between 24 and 28 °C
• Predominantly dry conditions
• Takes up relatively little space
• Eats crickets, grasshoppers, and small cockroaches
• According to the available data, females can live up to five years
• Of particular interest to velvet spider enthusiasts

Suitable accessories for your setup

Eresus Complete Set – provides the perfect foundation for keeping black velvet spiders. With a terrarium, substrate, and natural decorations, you can create a warm, mostly dry habitat with sheltered hiding spots.

Cork tubes —serve as a safe haven and the foundation for the living tube.

Fingerwood XS – offers numerous attachment points for the trapping nets.

Desert sand —suitable for a mostly dry substrate.

Insektenliebe Hygro-Therm – allows you to control temperature and humidity.

Crickets —when they’re the right size, they make good feed animals.

Conclusion: A small spider with great observational value

Gandanameno spec. captivates with its unusual appearance and fascinating behavior.

Its velvety black body with white spots resembles a small blackberry. At the same time, it impressively demonstrates how skillfully spiders can shape their environment with silk.

Particularly interesting are the tubes they build for themselves and their delicate webs. That’s because here you can watch as the spider gradually transforms its habitat.

If you’re looking for an extraordinary African velvet spider that not only looks beautiful but also exhibits interesting behavior, Gandanameno spec. is an exciting choice for your terrarium.