Chaetopelma olivaceum

Chaetopelma olivaceum is a species of mygalomorph spider, belonging to the tarantula family (Theraphosidae). It has many synonyms, including Ischnocolus jerusalemensis.^[1] Common names used include black furry,^[2] black tarantula and Middle East gold.^[3]

Chaetopelma olivaceum
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Infraorder:	Mygalomorphae
Family:	Theraphosidae
Genus:	Chaetopelma
Species:	C. olivaceum
Binomial name
Chaetopelma olivaceum (C. L. Koch, 1841)[1]
Synonyms[1]
Mygale olivacea C. L. Koch, 1841 Ischnocolus gracilis Ausserer, 1871 Ischnocolus syriacus Ausserer, 1871 Chaetopelma aegyptiaca Ausserer, 1871 Avicularia tetramera Simon, 1873 Avicularia striatocauda Simon, 1873 Nemesia concolor Simon, 1873 Ischnocolus striatocauda (Simon, 1873) Cratorrhagus tetramera (Simon, 1873) Cratorrhagus tetramerus Reimoser, 1919 Chaetopelma shabati Hassan, 1950 Cratorrhagus tetrameris Bonnet, 1956 Chaetopelma adenense Smith, 1990 Chaetopelma aegyptiacum Smith, 1990 Ischnocolus jerusalemensis Smith, 1990 Chaetopelma anatolicum Schmidt & Smith, 1995 Chaetopelma gracile Vollmer, 1997

Range and habitat

The species is found in Cyprus, Turkey, Sudan, Egypt and the Middle East.^[1] They are commonly found in homes in Israel.^[4]

Description

The body length is approximately 2.5 cm for adult males and 5 cm or larger for females.^[5] It is one of the largest spiders in Israel.^[2] The color varies between black, gray and brown dark; they tend to be paler in the cooler more forested regions of their range and darker in the southern more arid areas.^[4]

The body is covered with tiny hairs and is shiny and velvety. There are variations in appearance and size throughout the range. Their food consists of insects and even small mice and young lizards.

The species is sexually dimorphic: the female is larger than the male.

Behavior

Black furry, Jerusalem, 20151105

The species is active mainly at night. In the wild they can be found hiding under rocks or bark, but may reach human-occupied areas during migrations. When the spider feels threatened, it lifts its front torso, swinging its feet to expose a red stain on its mouth and fangs. If the threat continues the spider will turn and look for a place to hide. C. olivaceum has been reported as living in large colonies and this has been observed in the burial caves around Jerusalem and reported from dried up wells in the Jordan Valley.^[4]

Relation to humans

This spider is not considered dangerous to humans and helps eliminate pests such as cockroaches. It is black, furry, fast and aggressive in respect to other types of tarantulas. Bites are unpleasant but mild. They are sometimes kept as pets.

Predators

In Israel two species of spider wasp, Hemipepsis brunnea and Pseudopompilus humboldti, have been recorded as predators on Chaetopelma olivaceum.^[6]