I live on a hill in Lebanon. I found this spider wandering in my home, and I would like to know what its family and species is. I'm interested in keeping it if it is not harmful to humans, or letting it go into the free scary wild if it is.
Please consider introduced species into the region with native species... Thank you.
Note: The spider seems to be a little jumpy and quick on its feet when in danger.
It looks like a mygalomorph spider (the group that includes tarantulas, trapdoor spiders, etc.
Does yours look anything like this when its legs are spread out?
http://www.bayramgocmen.com/album/picture.php?/882/category/307
It doesn't. It looks a little different. I'll try to get a picture when its legs are spread.
Here is a clearer picture if it helps
It is more relaxed now. I took a picture:
Your spider definitely is a theraspid, but I am uncertain as to the species - see http://thebts.co.uk/forums/gallery/data/822/Ischnocolus-male-Spain.jpg for a similar one from your area.
The spider in your link bears striking resemblance. If I can't know the species, I need to at least know if I can feed it moths (as they are very easy to get where I live), I can't always find crickets or cockroaches. I would also like to know if its venom is risky and what it does, if possible. I'm interested in housing the spider, I've been researching tarantula housing, but I'm missing these particular details, and I would appreciate it a lot if you can help.
Thank you for your help
According to this article (http://www.dianabarshaw.com/tarantulas.php), Chaetopelma olivaceum is the only tarantula (theraspid) known from Israel. It has been my (admittedly limited) experience with North American tarantulas that they will accept anything that they can overpower. As for its venom, the only reference I could find on this species is more than a hundred years old, and may be difficult to locate ("On the poison of spiders : with especial reference to that of Chaetopelma olivacea" by William H. Wilson, 1901, Cairo National Print Division). That aside, the venom of most tarantulas does not appear to be particularly dangerous to humans, but exceptions certainly may occur and I would not take unnecessary chances.
This is interesting, and the spider is adorable. I think I'll keep it.
I hope I'll be able to contribute more about this spider.
Thanks a lot!
