{"product_id":"selenops-radiatus-tomb-crawler-aka-flatty","title":"Selenops radiatus (Tomb Crawler aka Flatty)","description":"\u003cp data-end=\"433\" data-start=\"99\"\u003eThere’s a reason flatties aren’t common in the hobby. They have short lifespans (males ~6 months, females ~12 months), are extremely fast, and don't tolerate sloppy setups or casual handling. They don’t sit in inventory well, they don’t forgive mistakes, and they'll exploit the tiniest gap you didn’t think mattered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"467\" data-start=\"435\"\u003eThat said… we already love them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"829\" data-start=\"469\"\u003eOur first photo session with this species quickly turned into spider ninja training. We learned quick why the common name “Flatty” exists. It slid cleanly out from under a catch cup like it was nothing. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1050\" data-start=\"831\"\u003eSpeed and escape risk are the challenge here, not venom. Their venom is not considered medically significant to humans. The challenge is about preparation, containment, and respect for what this spider can do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"1055\" data-start=\"1052\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"1085\" data-start=\"1057\"\u003eOur Approach to Husbandry\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1230\" data-start=\"1087\"\u003eBecause care information for this species is limited in the hobby, our setup is based on documented natural behavior and firsthand observation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1607\" data-start=\"1232\"\u003eThey're housed in an arid enclosure that reflects their natural habitat of rocks, walls, and tight crevices rather than burrows or webs. A sand base is used strictly to stabilize rock structures, not as a digging substrate. Flat rocks are stacked tightly and wedged into the sand to prevent shifting when the enclosure is moved and to avoid any chance of collapse or injury.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1817\" data-start=\"1609\"\u003eTight, flat hiding spaces are intentional. This species is an ambush predator and spends most of its time pressed into crevices until prey moves nearby.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2043\" data-start=\"1819\"\u003eWe mist occasionally for drinking only, not to raise humidity, mimicking morning dew rather than a damp environment. Disturbance is kept to a minimum because when startled, this spider will explode out of the rocks and bolt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2283\" data-start=\"2045\"\u003eFor feeding, we place the enclosure inside a larger bin treated with a Fluon barrier. We have tested this firsthand. The spider will not cross the vertical barrier, which is critical because they will attempt escape when disturbed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"2388\" data-start=\"2385\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"2406\" data-start=\"2390\"\u003eScience Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2473\" data-start=\"2408\"\u003eThis spider has been studied for its extreme rotational movement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2875\" data-start=\"2475\"\u003eRather than lunging forward, flatties pivot in place to face prey. Researchers have documented rotational pivot speeds of up to 3,000 degrees per second, a movement deemed the fastest leg-driven turning maneuver of any animal. They achieve this by anchoring one leg, pushing and pulling with the others, and tucking their legs inward mid-spin to increase rotational speed, similar to a figure skater.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3011\" data-start=\"2877\"\u003eThese mechanics are now being studied to help inform robotics and machines designed to maneuver efficiently in tight, confined spaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3011\" data-start=\"2877\"\u003e\u003ca title=\"California Academy of Sciences\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedaily.com\/releases\/2018\/02\/180212084445.htm\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCalifornia Academy of Sciences\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"3016\" data-start=\"3013\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3105\" data-start=\"3034\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3105\" data-start=\"3034\"\u003eThis is not a beginner spider.\u003cbr data-end=\"3067\" data-start=\"3064\"\u003eIt's not slow.\u003cbr data-end=\"3085\" data-start=\"3082\"\u003eIt's not forgiving.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3172\" data-start=\"3107\"\u003eBut it is creepy, impressive, chaotic, and fascinating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3249\" data-start=\"3174\"\u003eIf you’re brave enough, adventurer, they’re available for order. Good luck.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3345\" data-start=\"3251\"\u003eIf not, we’re perfectly happy continuing our spider ninja training and raising them ourselves.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Spider People","offers":[{"title":"3\/4\"-1\"","offer_id":44773779046434,"sku":null,"price":30.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0787\/1512\/5794\/files\/TombCrawler1_3d51ddcc-bef7-44ba-a5a7-4988e4ece99f.jpg?v=1769386780","url":"https:\/\/www.spiderpeopleofficial.com\/products\/selenops-radiatus-tomb-crawler-aka-flatty","provider":"Spider People","version":"1.0","type":"link"}