Six-Eyed Sand Spider (Hexophthalma hahni) Care Sheet
The Six-Eyed Sand Spider (Hexophthalma hahni), historically known in the hobby as Sicarius hahni, is an unusual arid-adapted spider occasionally maintained by experienced keepers of specialist and medically significant arachnids.
Its remarkable camouflage and burying behaviour make it very different from most commonly kept spiders. Rather than constructing an elaborate prey-catching web, the spider settles into loose sandy substrate and uses rapid movements of its legs to throw substrate over its body until almost completely concealed.
From this position it operates as an ambush predator, remaining hidden until suitable prey moves within striking distance.
Although its basic environmental husbandry is relatively straightforward, this is not a beginner spider. Hexophthalma belongs to the family Sicariidae and should be treated as potentially medically significant. Routine handling is inappropriate, and secure containment should be considered an essential part of its husbandry.
Successful husbandry requires an extremely secure terrestrial enclosure, deep loose sandy substrate, predominantly dry conditions, good ventilation, appropriate warmth, individual housing, suitable captive-bred prey and strict hands-off maintenance.
Quick Facts
Scientific name: Hexophthalma hahni
Former/hobby name: Sicarius hahni
Common names: Six-Eyed Sand Spider, Six-Eyed Crab Spider
Order: Araneae
Family: Sicariidae
Origin: Southern Africa
Lifestyle: Terrestrial sand-burying ambush predator
Diet: Carnivorous
Activity: Primarily concealed; activity may increase after dark
Temperature: Approximately 22–28°C
Humidity: Low
Substrate: Deep loose sandy substrate
Housing: Individual
Handling: Not recommended
Experience level: Advanced
Venom: Potentially medically significant
Major requirements: Secure containment, dry sandy substrate, good ventilation and hands-off husbandry
Taxonomy
This species has historically been widely referred to in the exotic-pet hobby as:
Sicarius hahni**.**
Its accepted placement is now:
Hexophthalma hahni**.**
Older books, forum discussions, care information and dealer listings may therefore use the former name.
Both names are useful when researching the species, but current care information should use:
Hexophthalma hahni**.**
Common Name
The name:
Six-Eyed Sand Spider
can be applied to more than one related spider.
Correct scientific identification is therefore important.
Natural Distribution
Hexophthalma hahni originates from:
southern Africa.
It inhabits dry environments where loose sandy substrate provides both camouflage and hunting opportunities.
Natural Habitat
Suitable natural habitat can include:
- Sandy ground
- Dry scrub
- Semi-arid environments
- Areas beneath rocks
- Sandy areas around natural shelters
- Dry open ground
Its lifestyle is closely associated with substrate into which it can bury itself.
Appearance
The Six-Eyed Sand Spider possesses:
- A broad flattened body
- Laterally positioned legs
- Sandy brown colouration
- Dense body hairs
- Six eyes
Its body shape is extremely well adapted for disappearing beneath loose substrate.
Six Eyes
Most spiders possess eight eyes.
Members of this group possess:
six eyes.
These are arranged in three pairs.
Camouflage
The spider’s natural colouration already resembles dry sandy ground.
Its camouflage becomes even more effective because particles of substrate adhere to specialised hairs covering the body.
Burying Behaviour
Burying is one of the most fascinating behaviours exhibited by the species.
The spider rapidly moves its legs through loose substrate, throwing sand:
over and around its body.
Within a short period, an exposed spider can become almost invisible.
Hidden Spider
Once buried, only a tiny portion of the spider may remain visible.
Sometimes the keeper may be unable to locate it visually at all.
This must always be remembered during enclosure maintenance.
Ambush Hunting
Hexophthalma hahni is primarily an:
ambush predator.
Rather than actively pursuing prey around the enclosure, it can remain buried until a suitable insect moves within striking range.
Feeding Strike
When prey approaches, the spider can erupt from the substrate:
extremely rapidly.
The apparently inactive animal should never be assumed to be slow.
Housing
A terrestrial enclosure is appropriate.
The enclosure should prioritise:
- Floor area
- Substrate depth
- Ventilation
- Security
rather than climbing height.
Enclosure Size
For an adult, an enclosure approximately:
20 × 20 × 15 cm or larger
provides a useful starting point.
A somewhat larger enclosure can also work well.
Floor Space
Floor area is considerably more useful than excessive height.
The spider needs sufficient room to:
- Bury
- Reposition
- Hunt
- Select resting locations
Enclosure Height
This is not an arboreal species.
Excessive enclosure height provides little benefit and can make maintenance more difficult.
Secure Lid
The enclosure must have a:
securely fastening lid or door.
A medically significant spider should not be housed in a container that can accidentally open.
Escape Prevention
Check carefully for:
- Gaps around doors
- Loose ventilation panels
- Cable openings
- Poorly fitting lids
- Damaged mesh
before introducing the spider.
Secondary Containment
Experienced keepers may choose to maintain the enclosure inside:
- A secure invertebrate room
- A locked cabinet
- Another controlled area
This provides an additional layer of security.
Ventilation
Good ventilation is essential.
The species should not be maintained in:
humid, stagnant conditions.
Cross Ventilation
Ventilation openings on multiple sides can help maintain:
dry moving air.
All openings must remain escape proof.
Substrate
The substrate is one of the most important parts of the enclosure.
Provide:
loose sandy material suitable for complete burial.
Substrate Depth
Approximately:
5–8 cm or more
provides useful depth for an adult.
Loose Texture
The substrate must remain loose enough for the spider to throw material over its body.
Avoid heavily compacted substrate.
Suitable Substrate
Depending upon the setup, suitable material may include:
- Fine sand
- Suitable desert substrate
- Sand-based mixtures
The material should be:
- Clean
- Chemical free
- Dry
- Loose
Avoid Wet Sand
Do not maintain the spider on:
constantly damp or wet sand.
This does not replicate its normal arid environment.
Furnishings
The enclosure can remain relatively simple.
Optional furnishings include:
- Dry cork bark
- Small stable rocks
- Dry natural decorations
The majority of usable floor area should still contain suitable burying substrate.
Rocks
Any heavy rocks or decorations must be:
completely stable.
Do not place heavy objects loosely on substrate where movement beneath them could cause collapse.
Temperature
A useful general temperature range is approximately:
22–28°C.
Normal warm household temperatures may therefore be suitable in many homes.
Excessive Heat
Desert-associated does not mean immune to overheating.
Avoid prolonged temperatures around or above:
30°C.
Direct Sunlight
Never place the enclosure in direct sunlight.
A transparent enclosure can become dangerously hot extremely quickly.
Heating
Dedicated heating may be unnecessary in a suitably warm room.
If additional heating is required, use:
gentle thermostatically controlled external heating.
Thermostat
Any dedicated heat source should be controlled by:
a reliable thermostat.
Humidity
This is an arid-adapted spider.
The enclosure should remain:
predominantly dry.
Avoid Tropical Conditions
Do not maintain H. hahni like a tropical rainforest spider.
Constant:
- High humidity
- Wet substrate
- Heavy condensation
should be avoided.
Misting
Routine heavy misting is unnecessary.
Never soak the entire enclosure.
Hydration
Dry husbandry does not mean deliberately depriving the spider of water.
A carefully controlled source of hydration can be provided without increasing the humidity of the entire enclosure.
Water Dish
A small shallow water dish can be provided where practical.
Position it somewhere that allows maintenance without placing hands near the spider.
Water Maintenance
Use long tools where necessary to:
- Remove debris
- Refill the dish
- Reposition it
Avoid placing fingers into an occupied enclosure.
Feeding
Hexophthalma hahni is a:
carnivorous predator.
Suitable Prey
Suitable captive-bred prey can include:
- Crickets
- Cockroach nymphs
- Locust nymphs
- Other appropriately sized feeder insects
Prey Size
Offer prey that the spider can overpower safely.
There is no advantage to using unnecessarily large feeders.
Feeding Frequency
Adults have relatively modest food requirements.
Offering an appropriately sized prey item approximately:
every 1–2 weeks
provides a useful starting point.
Adjust feeding according to:
- Body condition
- Prey size
- Temperature
- Age
- Moulting cycle
Fasting
A healthy established spider may refuse food for extended periods.
This is not automatically cause for concern.
Overfeeding
Avoid repeatedly adding prey simply because the spider remains buried.
A sedentary ambush predator does not require constant feeding.
Uneaten Prey
Remove uneaten prey after a reasonable period.
Use:
long forceps or another appropriate tool.
Wild-Caught Feeders
Avoid feeding wild-caught insects.
They may expose the spider to:
- Pesticides
- Parasites
- Pathogens
- Environmental contaminants
Captive-bred feeders are preferable.
Moulting
Like all spiders, Hexophthalma hahni grows by:
moulting.
Pre-Moult
A spider approaching a moult may:
- Refuse food
- Remain buried
- Become less active
Do Not Dig Up the Spider
Never excavate the animal simply because it has remained hidden.
Prolonged concealment can be completely normal.
Remove Live Prey
If moulting is suspected, remove potentially dangerous feeder insects.
A moulting spider cannot defend itself normally.
During the Moult
Do not:
- Handle the spider
- Dig through its substrate
- Introduce prey
- Disturb it unnecessarily
Freshly Moulted Spider
Immediately after moulting, the new:
- Exoskeleton
- Fangs
- Legs
remain soft and vulnerable.
Feeding After Moulting
Wait until the spider has:
fully hardened
before offering food again.
Exuvia
The discarded exoskeleton is called the:
exuvia.
It can be removed when doing so can be accomplished safely without disturbing the spider.
Handling
Routine handling is:
not recommended under any circumstances.
Hands-Off Species
There is no husbandry benefit to allowing this spider to walk on bare skin.
It should be regarded as:
a specialist hands-off display animal.
Venom
Hexophthalma hahni belongs to:
Sicariidae.
This is the same spider family containing Loxosceles, the recluse spiders.
The venom of sicariid spiders is of significant toxicological interest.
Medical Significance
Direct documented human-bite information specifically for H. hahni is limited.
This uncertainty should not be interpreted as evidence that bites are harmless.
The appropriate husbandry assumption is:
a bite could be medically significant and should be prevented.
Avoid Exaggeration
It is equally important not to make unsupported claims about guaranteed:
- Fatality
- Tissue destruction
- Specific clinical outcomes
from a bite.
Risk information should remain evidence based.
Bite Prevention
The primary safety strategy is:
prevent physical contact entirely.
Never Test Temperament
Do not deliberately:
- Touch
- Prod
- Restrain
- Provoke
the spider to see whether it is aggressive.
Temperament testing has no husbandry value.
Hidden-Animal Rule
Whenever the enclosure is open, assume:
the spider may be immediately beneath the substrate nearest your hand.
Its camouflage makes visual confirmation unreliable.
Never Search by Hand
Never run fingers through the substrate attempting to locate the spider.
Use appropriate tools if intervention is absolutely necessary.
Maintenance
Routine maintenance should be minimal.
Typical tasks include:
- Removing uneaten prey
- Removing accessible waste
- Maintaining water
- Checking enclosure security
Long Tools
Long forceps should be used whenever practical.
Hands should remain:
outside the enclosure.
Locate Before Opening
Whenever possible, establish the spider’s approximate location before opening the enclosure.
However, never assume it is absent simply because it cannot be seen.
Rehousing
Rehousing represents one of the highest-risk parts of keeping this species.
Every transfer should be:
planned before either enclosure is opened.
Equipment for Rehousing
Prepare:
- Destination enclosure
- Secure catch cup
- Long forceps
- Long soft brush or suitable guiding tool
- Secondary containment area
before beginning.
Secondary Transfer Container
One useful safety technique is to perform the entire transfer inside:
a much larger secure empty container.
If the spider leaves either primary enclosure, it remains within the secondary controlled space.
Never Transfer Over Open Floor
Do not rehouse the spider:
- Over carpet
- Near furniture
- Beside open doors
- In cluttered rooms
Catch Cup
Never attempt to capture an escaped specimen:
with bare hands.
Use a suitable secure catch container.
Individual Housing
House specimens:
individually.
Cannibalism
Multiple individuals should not be assumed to coexist safely.
Predatory spiders may attack and consume one another.
Sexing
Sexual differences become clearer as animals mature.
Mature Males
Mature males develop enlarged:
reproductive pedipalps.
These are located near the mouthparts.
Females
Females are generally:
- More robust
- Heavier bodied
- Longer lived
than mature males.
Breeding
Breeding should only be attempted by:
experienced keepers of medically significant arachnids.
Pairing
Never permanently house a male and female together.
Any breeding introduction should be:
- Planned
- Closely observed
- Conducted within secure secondary containment
Cannibalism During Breeding
Cannibalism is possible.
The male should have an opportunity to retreat.
Egg Sac
Following successful reproduction, the female can produce:
a silken egg sac.
Egg-Sac Care
Avoid unnecessary disturbance of a female associated with an egg sac.
Spiderlings
Successful reproduction can result in numerous:
tiny spiderlings.
This creates substantially greater containment requirements than keeping a single adult.
Breeding Responsibility
Do not breed this species unless you already have:
- Secure spiderling containers
- Escape-proof ventilation
- Appropriate tiny feeders
- Space for individual housing
- A plan for long-term responsible placement of offspring
Spiderling Housing
Young spiderlings require:
- Secure individual containers
- Fine ventilation
- Appropriate sandy substrate
- Suitable tiny prey
- Controlled hydration
Spiderling Escape Risk
A tiny spiderling can pass through openings that would easily contain an adult.
Every juvenile enclosure must be checked carefully.
Labelling
The enclosure should be clearly labelled with:
- Scientific name
- Medical-risk warning
- No-handling warning
This is particularly important in a shared household.
Children
The enclosure must be completely inaccessible to:
children.
A child should not be able to open, move or knock over the enclosure.
Other Household Members
Anyone who may encounter the enclosure should understand that:
- It must not be opened
- The spider must not be handled
- The enclosure should not be moved casually
Other Pets
Position the enclosure somewhere:
- Cats cannot knock it down
- Dogs cannot reach it
- Other animals cannot disturb it
Enclosure Location
Choose a location that is:
- Stable
- Quiet
- Away from direct sunlight
- Away from vibration
- Away from household traffic
- Inaccessible to unauthorised people
Escape Planning
Before acquiring the spider, have an escape-response plan.
Suitable equipment should already be available rather than being located after an escape occurs.
Household Chemicals
Spiders are extremely vulnerable to pesticides.
Keep the enclosure away from:
- Fly spray
- Ant killer
- Flea treatments
- Cockroach treatments
- Garden insecticides
Aerosols
Avoid spraying near the enclosure:
- Air freshener
- Perfume
- Cleaning products
- Deodorising aerosols
Cleaning
Because the enclosure is predominantly dry and feeding frequency is modest, extensive cleaning should rarely be necessary.
Spot Cleaning
Perform:
minimal spot cleaning
rather than repeatedly replacing all substrate.
Do Not Disturb for Appearance
Do not excavate a buried spider simply because the enclosure needs to look tidy.
The animal’s natural behaviour takes priority over cosmetic appearance.
Health
Potential husbandry problems include:
- Excessive moisture
- Poor ventilation
- Overheating
- Dehydration
- Failed moults
- Injury
- Chemical exposure
Warning Signs
Potential concerns include:
- Severe loss of coordination
- Repeated unsuccessful moulting
- Persistent abnormal posture
- Physical injury
- Sudden unexplained decline
Common Husbandry Mistakes
Common mistakes include:
- Treating the species as suitable for beginners
- Attempting routine handling
- Using an insecure enclosure
- Providing insufficient substrate
- Keeping the substrate permanently wet
- Maintaining tropical humidity
- Reaching into the sand
- Searching for a hidden spider by hand
- Assuming a buried spider is absent
- Overfeeding
- Leaving dangerous prey during moulting
- Performing unnecessary rehousing
- Rehousing in an uncontrolled room
- Using inadequate transfer equipment
- Housing specimens communally
- Allowing children access to the enclosure
- Failing to label the enclosure
- Breeding without preparing for numerous spiderlings
Is the Six-Eyed Sand Spider Suitable for Beginners?
No.
The environmental husbandry itself is not especially complicated.
The difficulty comes from:
safe containment and risk management.
A prospective keeper should already be comfortable with:
- Spider husbandry
- Hands-off maintenance
- Secure enclosure design
- Catch-cup transfers
- Recognising moulting
- Managing potentially medically significant arachnids
The species should be considered:
advanced.
Availability in the Hobby
Six-Eyed Sand Spiders are not mainstream pet spiders.
However, Hexophthalma and related sand spiders do appear:
occasionally within the specialist arachnid hobby.
Availability may be intermittent compared with commonly bred:
- Jumping spiders
- Tarantulas
- Huntsman spiders
This makes the species appropriate for a broad exotic-pet care library, provided it is clearly identified as an advanced specialist animal rather than a conventional beginner pet.
Display Value
The appeal of H. hahni comes primarily from its extraordinary adaptations.
Watching the spider:
- Bury itself
- Disappear into the substrate
- Remain camouflaged
- Ambush prey
provides a fascinating demonstration of specialised predator behaviour.
Educational Value
The species provides opportunities to observe:
- Sand camouflage
- Ambush predation
- Arid adaptation
- Spider moulting
- Sicariid anatomy
- Substrate-burying behaviour
- Predator-prey interactions
Responsible Sourcing
Captive-bred animals should be preferred whenever genuinely available.
When purchasing a specimen, ask:
- Is it definitely Hexophthalma hahni?
- Is it captive bred?
- What developmental stage is it?
- When did it last moult?
- What prey does it currently accept?
- What conditions is it currently maintained under?
Correct Identification
Do not rely solely on the common name:
Six-Eyed Sand Spider.
Multiple related species can be sold under similar names.
Legal Considerations
Rules concerning medically significant exotic spiders vary considerably between jurisdictions.
Restrictions may apply to:
- Possession
- Import
- Export
- Breeding
- Sale
- Transport
Always verify current regulations before obtaining the species.
Dealer Availability Does Not Guarantee Legality
The fact that a spider is available from:
- A dealer
- An expo
- A private breeder
- An online seller
does not automatically mean it is legal to possess in every jurisdiction.
The keeper remains responsible for checking local requirements.
Never Release Captive Spiders
Never release:
- Adults
- Juveniles
- Spiderlings
- Egg sacs
into the environment.
Responsible Ownership
Before obtaining Hexophthalma hahni, ensure you can provide:
- Secure escape-resistant housing
- Appropriate sandy substrate
- Predominantly dry conditions
- Good ventilation
- Suitable temperatures
- Captive-bred feeder insects
- Individual housing
- Long maintenance tools
- Secure catch containers
- Controlled rehousing procedures
- Secure placement away from children and pets
- Long-term specialist care
Summary
The Six-Eyed Sand Spider (Hexophthalma hahni), historically widely known in the hobby as Sicarius hahni, is an extraordinary southern African sand-dwelling ambush spider occasionally maintained within specialist arachnid collections.
Its flattened body and specialised hairs allow substrate to adhere to the animal as it rapidly buries itself beneath loose sand.
Captive housing is environmentally straightforward but must be extremely secure.
Provide a terrestrial enclosure with approximately 5–8 cm or more of loose sandy substrate, good ventilation and sufficient floor area for natural burying behaviour.
A temperature range around 22–28°C provides a useful general target.
The enclosure should remain predominantly dry and should not be maintained under permanently wet tropical conditions.
Adults can be offered appropriately sized captive-bred feeder insects approximately every one to two weeks, adjusted according to body condition, temperature and life stage.
The major challenge associated with this species is not feeding or environmental complexity.
It is:
safe containment.
Hexophthalma hahni belongs to the medically important family Sicariidae and should be treated as potentially medically significant. Although direct documented human-bite information for the species is limited, this uncertainty does not justify casual handling.
Routine handling should never form part of normal husbandry.
All maintenance should be conducted using appropriate tools, secure containers and carefully planned hands-off procedures.
Breeding creates additional containment challenges because numerous tiny spiderlings may result.
With appropriate experience, secure housing and rigorous safety procedures, Hexophthalma hahni can be a fascinating specialist display spider for advanced home arachnid keepers.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Hexophthalma hahni is an advanced, potentially medically significant specialist spider and should not be treated as a handling pet.
The species was historically widely known in the hobby as Sicarius hahni. Current taxonomy places it within Hexophthalma.
Keep specimens individually in secure, clearly labelled enclosures inaccessible to children, pets and unauthorised household members.
Never place bare hands into an occupied enclosure.
A buried Six-Eyed Sand Spider can be extremely difficult to see. Always assume the animal may be beneath the substrate closest to your hand.
Use long tools for maintenance and secure catch-container techniques for transfers.
Maintain predominantly dry conditions with loose sandy substrate suitable for natural burying behaviour.
Do not assume that an arid origin means the spider can tolerate uncontrolled extreme heat.
Remove potentially dangerous feeder insects when moulting is suspected and allow a freshly moulted spider to harden before feeding.
Because direct human-bite evidence specifically involving H. hahni is limited, claims about exact clinical outcomes should be treated cautiously. This lack of bite data does not mean the species should be regarded as harmless.
Only experienced keepers should consider breeding because offspring create substantial additional containment requirements.
Verify local legislation before purchase, possession, breeding, sale or transport.
Never release captive specimens, spiderlings or egg sacs.
Information correct at the date of publication.
reptilecommunity.com | Revised: August 2026