Asheville Wildside, Swannanoa, NC (2025)

04/10/2025

This gorgeous mom has done an incredible job raising her babies! This is Cyriopagopus sp. 'Big Black' North Thailand locality. There is a lot of confusion and conjecture regarding the 'black' Tarantulas in Sub-family Ornithoctoninae, and this species may be a locality variation of Cyriopagopus minax, or a distinct species.

The progeny are now sixteen days post emergence and preparing to molt into second instar, so it's time to separate them. Mom did not appreciate my offer to take over parental duties, but accepted a large dubia as payment. 108 babies so far. Still excavating.

04/10/2025

Over the last several years, I've been ridiculously lucky to pursue my passions with very little compromise. I turned my 1200 square foot basement into a bastion of my hobby. My species list grew to well over 100, and progeny output climbed to heights I could never have imagined. New rack systems and shelves were introduced to maximize space and efficiency, and eventually, I was able to make my passion my job. We continued to see growth, I increased the number of breeder expos and shows we attended to four a month, I ramped up educational presentations at schools and local nature centers and museums, worked with film and TV productions to highlight these fascinating animals, and I felt like this, this was definitely what I was supposed to be doing.

But life doesn't hold our desires or aspirations in consideration. Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina, and our community, Swannanoa, was ravaged by floodwaters and downed trees. We had already experienced a decline in revenue with a tightening economy, but the difficulties from that storm proved to be too much. With a power outage that lasted 28 days, my business was effectively closed. I lost clutches that were incubating, an entire freezer full of frozen rodents, crayfish, and other aquatic invertebrates I had raised from naupili to adults. We couldn't ship, couldn't attend shows, it was a daily effort just to prepare food for the grill, and secure enough water to keep flushing the toilets.

During this time, I was forced to return to my state job. We simply needed the income. This meant I could no longer attend nearly as many shows, and my life would be balanced between a full time job, my family, and staying up late nights to feed hundreds, sometimes thousands of animals. But, I was making it work.

Then fate gave me another shake-up. In the stretch of a month, I lost two close family members. My grandfather and my mom. I don't have much to say about that on a business page, but it was a trying time.

Now, another whirlwind. My lovely wife, Christie, was offered an incredible job. A life changing opportunity with amazing pay and benefits. One of those offers you can't refuse, and I'm so happy for her. The caveat, it's in California. So, now we find ourselves in the chaotic situation of beginning a huge life changing move. We will be relocating to Southern California this year, which means Asheville Wildside will be suspending operations as we prepare for and execute said move.

Animals will be re-homed, and that process has already begun. There are a few species I'm particularly attached too, and they will be making the cross country trek with me, but the majority of my culture list will be sold to other breeders and keepers I've met, become friends with, and respected during this journey.

I stand here amid the sounds of pumps, chirping crickets, in the warm glow produced by rows of lights and heating systems. I see animals that I've had for decades, their progeny, produced here and guided by my hand to adulthood, themselves now adults and producing. Generations of living things that have come to be in my humble basement. Hundreds of species and thousands of specimens have passed from my care to your collections. It is intimidating and inspiring in the same breath. It has brought me profound meaning and satisfaction to have lived this experience, and I'm glad I'm typing this so you don't have to hear me holding back tears.

I have no idea what the future holds, I've learned to stop anticipating or laying expectations across that pyre. I do know that none of what I've done would have been possible without you. Everyone who has supported me, my family, and my business by making a purchase, leaving a review, or even just recommending us to another hobbyist. So for that I can't say thank you enough. The word itself is inadequate to encapsulate how I feel, I am truly appreciative of everyone of you guys.

This weekend, I'll be vending the Atlanta Repticon. It is Asheville Wildsides' last show. I'll have a lot of inventory, including some surplus adults and juvenile grow outs that will be looking for new homes. So if you're in the area, please stop by and say 'hi'.

I will miss talking shop with everyone, I absolutely love meeting people and introducing them to this hobby. I like to think that I've had a positive impact, I hope that I have managed to spread my love for these often misunderstood animals to keepers of all levels. I hope that my enthusiasm and passion have helped others find joy and validation in their own practice.

I've been a part of this hobby, industry, business, whatever you want to call it, for 25 years. This is what I know. It's in my DNA. It might take me a while to get settled and rebuild, but you'll see me again. I might end up on the other side of the country, but I'm never more than a message away. Love you guys, you've made this all worth it.

This isn't a 'goodbye', its simply a 'see you next time'. Happy keeping everyone.

02/27/2025

Adult female Misumena vatia (Carl Alexander Clerck, 1757). Family Thomisidae. Commonly called the 'Goldenrod Crab Spider'. A widespread and highly successful ambush predator, M. vatia is found in open fields, grassland, marshes, forest edge habitats, and gardens across North America and Europe. They prefer a sit-and-wait strategy and often choose flowering plants for hunting sites. They will pounce on prey items considerably larger than themselves.

The color and patterns of M. vatia is highly variable, but most specimens display overall white/yellow coloration with soft pink highlights. Their coloration can change based on surroundings and diet. The female pictured was yellow when collected, and then slowly turned white as her preferred ambush site became the white lid of the container.

This is one of ten specimens I collected in 2023 in a longevity and care experiment I wished to conduct regarding the suitability of captive maintenance and husbandry. These beautiful and hardy spiders represent an excellent native option for the hobby. Field collected juveniles matured soon after collection and are still alive now in 2025. Females that produced egg sacs perished soon after, but the slings have done incredibly well in dram vials and feeding of flightless hydei and are now eagerly accepting 1/4" crickets, roach nymphs and blue bottle flies. Gender ratio on captive hatches was heavily female, and surplus was released back into initial collection sites.

I believe this species is an excellent option for true spider keepers. They tolerate fluctuations in temperature and humidity, readily accept commercially available prey, make excellent display spiders with synthetic flowers, and I believe a 2-3 year lifespan for females is very attainable. I'll have concrete data once these captive hatched specimens begin to age out.

02/27/2025

Adult female Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens (Embrik Strand, 1907) family Theraphosidae. Commonly called the 'Green Bottle Blue Tarantula'. Chromatopelma is a monotypic genus containing only this species. These are medium bodied New World tarantulas native to a small isthmus in Northern Venezuela called the Paraguana Peninsula. The habitat here is heavy scrubland, semi-arid grassland, rocky hills, and desert.

This is a popular species in the hobby. Adult females typically measure five inches DLS, and both genders are clad in stunning blue/green and orange/red. Like many New World tarantulas, these spiders will often kick urticating bristles in the direction of perceived threats. In 2015, this species was officially recognized as endangered by the Venezuelan government due to declining populations associated with over grazing by domestic animals and the use of pesticides in agricultural activity.

02/27/2025

Adult female Acanthogonatus francki (Ferdinand Karsch, 1880) family Pycnothelidae. These non-theraphosid Mygalomorphs are sometimes called 'Chilean Gold- spiders, tarantulas (not accurate), trap door spider (also, not accurate), funnel-web spider etc. Family Pycnothelidae contains fifteen genera, most of which are South American. A. francki is native to the forested hills and mountain valleys of Chile. They are fossorial spiders and use silk in moderate to heavy reinforcements in their burrows and retreats.

These are commonly confused with spiders of family Theraphosidae due to similar anatomy and the size of adults. A. francki females can measure over three inches DLS, and exhibit many 'tarantula' like behaviors.

02/27/2025

Adult female Psalmopoeus irminia (F. Saager, 1994), family Theraphosidae. Commonly referred to as the Venezuelan Suntiger. These are large, robust, arboreal spiders found throughout tropical forests of Venezuela, Guyana, and northern Brazil and typically measure 5-6" diagonal legspan. Like other members of the genus, P. irminia lacks urticating bristles and relies on speed and defensive posturing to deter potential predators.

These spiders are sexually dimorphic upon maturity. Females and immature males display primarily black with orange markings. Mature males are sandy tan and appear thinner and with longer legs. During daylight hours, they often hide amongst tangles of vegetation, under loose tree bark, in branch nooks, and tree hollows.

02/18/2025

Adult male Galeodes arabs (Carl Ludwig Koch, 1842). Family Galeodidae. Commonly called the Egyptian Camel Spider. This is a large species of Solifugae native to a wide stretch of North Africa.
From Morocco to the Sinai peninsula of Egypt, much of the Middle East, and western Asia. G. arabs can measure almost six inches in length, and males are typically larger than females.

Desert dwelling Solifugids have fast metabolisms and need frequent food intake. They are fiercely nocturnal and avoid exposure to light whenever possible. These non-venomous arachnids live in deep burrow systems, some they construct themselves, but they will also take up residence in pre-existing structures. Solifugids have historically been difficult animals to care for, representing brief lifespans in captivity. A few pioneering keepers in Japan have managed better successes and even some captive reproduction with genus Rhagodes.

Smaller enclosures, consistent temperatures, and daily offerings of food have all shown promise. We also must acknowledge the naturally brief mature reproductive stage. Like orb weaving spiders, Solifugids, once mature, are reproduction focused animals, and once that has been accomplished, there is little biological reason for extended lifespans.

02/18/2025

Calommata obesa (Eugene Simon, 1836). Family Atypidae. Commonly referred to as the 'Thai Purseweb Spider'. This species hails from tropical forests of Thailand. The genus is represented by 16 species ranging from Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. These fossorial spiders build small subterranean tube shaped chambers that rarely extend above the soil surface. They are obligate ambush predators and, unless displaced, will live most of their lives in the same small location.

These spiders are characterized by short, powerful legs for burrow construction and rapid movement within the silken tube. Their chelicera are massive for the size of the spider. These oversized mouthparts allow the spider to easily grab prey without having to leave the safety of their burrow.

02/18/2025

Damastes sp. (Eugene Simon, 1880). Family Sparassidae. Commonly called the 'Madagascar Huntsman Spider'. This catch-all common name is used to describe fourteen of the sixteen species in the genus, with the bulk of the group being endemic to Madagascar. One species is known from Cameroon, and another native to the Seychelles islands. These are larger spiders, often displaying diagonal legspans of four to five inches. Damastes are, like most Huntsman spiders, arboreal animals and spend most of their lives above the ground in tropical forests and woodland habitats.

Unlike their more active cousins, Damastes demonstrate a unique ambush behavior. They will seek out leaves that can either be rolled into a tube, or use silk to 'sandwich' two leaves together and create an envelope. This behavior provides two functions. It offers the spider a quick retreat from potential predators and visual obfuscation from active hunters such as birds. It also creates a perfect shelter for small tree frogs of genus Heterixalus and encourages the frog to hide within the structure. Damastes feed frequently on these small amphibians, as well as insects and other arthropods.

02/18/2025

Sub-adult female Taksinus bambus (Songsanchote, Sippawat, Khaikaew & Chomphuphuang 2022) sub-family Ornithoctoninae. Commonly called the Thailand Bamboo Tarantula. This monotypic genus contains the species T. bambus. Endemic to the Mueng Tak district of Western Thailand. This spider inhabits tropical woodland and is fond of bamboo groves in particular.

These tarantulas display and interesting behavior and interrelationship with carpenter bees of genus Xylocopa and large bamboo species of genus Gigantochloa. The bees bore into the culm of the bamboo to create nesting galleries, and the spiders take up residence in used and abandoned cavities. Often lining the interior with silk for structural integrity. These are semi-arboreal spiders and demonstrate a preference for vertical nesting spaces and deep substrate.

02/18/2025

Adult female Platycryptus undatus (Charles de Geer, 1778). Family Salticidae. Commonly called a 'Tan' or 'Tree Bark Jumping Spider'. This is a very widespread species of jumping spider. Populations can be found across Southeastern Canada, most of the Eastern US, and as far west as Texas and Northeastern Mexico. They are habitat generalists and can be found in deciduous and conifer forests, forest edge, open fields, marshes, gardens, and even urban developed areas.

These smaller cousins (1/2-3/4" DLS) of the ever popular Phidippus don't receive as much attention is US collections. But they are hardy, inquisitive, easy to breed, and females demonstrate multi-year lifespans. Like other jumping spiders, they are territorial and predatory of one another, but will congregate en masse during cold winter months. Large numbers of adult females and juveniles will spin silken cocoons in close proximity to one another and cluster under loose tree bark or other shelters until spring.

02/18/2025

Mature female Peucetia lucasi (Auguste Vinson, 1863). Family Oxyopidae. Commonly called Malagasy Lynx Spider. Native to forest edge and marginal grassland/thornscrub habitats in Madagascar, the Comoros and Mayotte islands, and much of Southern Africa. Stunning ambush predators with fairly easy care, very similar in behavior to our native Peucetia viridans.

The Lynx Spiders are highly successful arachnids. Genus Peucetia enjoys global distribution, and is represented by 47 known species. Many species have tremendous natural ranges and have proven quite adept at establishing new populations by benefit of modern maritime trade and hitchhiking spiders.

02/18/2025

Juvenile Platythomisus octomaculatus (Carl Ludwig Koch, 1845). Family Thomisidae, commonly called the Eight-spotted Crab Spider. Found throughout tropical forests and forest edge habitats in Thailand, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, and peninsular Indonesia (Sumatra to Java). This species is among the largest Thomisidae with diagonal legspans of up to two inches.

Like other Crab Spiders P. octomaculatus is an ambush predator. They often rest among blossoms, particularly genus Hibiscus, and pounce on visiting pollinators. These are rarely available in the US hobby, unfortunately last years import only contained a few immature females.

10/25/2024

Asheville Wildside Creature Feature!

Barbados Velvet Worm
(Epiperipatus barbadensis)

500 million years ago our planet would be unrecognizable to us. Gondwana, a landmass of joined continents dominated the southern hemisphere, with the smaller continent and islands of Laurentia along the equator. The Panthalassa was a vast uninterrupted global ocean that dominated much of the Earth's surface. Carbon dioxide levels were high, and oxygen a limited and valuable resource. Massive macroalgaes thrived along the coastline and biofilms and microbial mats would litter the coastal lowlands and tidal flats where moisture from the ocean would keep them alive. The rest of the interior landmass was a punishing desert of rock and sunbaked soil. Plants as we know them, wouldn't begin to develop for millions of years, but during this time Earth witnessed something incredible. The development of multicellular organisms and the Cambrian explosion. When life began in earnest on our little waterlogged planet. Animals with mineralized shells, chitinous exoskeletons, sponges, echinoderms, trilobites, and arthropods flourished across this virgin world and rapidly diversified into new ecological niches that had never before been occupied.

While most living organisms would remain in the oceans, a few pioneering forms began to probe the surface of the world, most remained close to the coastlines where moisture made life more agreeable. Early hexapodal insect precursors, arachnids, and myriapods were successful groups that would form the evolutionary basis for all their descendants going forward. Yet another small, strange, terrestrial group of animals developed alongside them. So bizarre in physiology and evolutionary history they earned their own Phylum. We are talking today about Phylum Onychophora, the wonderful little Velvet Worms. Closely related, and sharing characteristics of both Tardigrades (water bears) and arthropods, these fascinating little invertebrates have managed to survive on Earth from the very beginning. Weathering every mass extinction event, and surviving shifts in climatic conditions, tectonic plate movement, and the evolution of more advanced organisms.

Velvet Worms are predatory, segmented invertebrates with primitive characteristics and features recognized in other animals. They possess a pair of sensory organs analogous to antennae, but the structures are diverged from the labrum and do not correspond with arthropods antennae development. They have small simple eyes to detect light intensity and are highly photosensitive. They have small conical shaped baggy legs that end in small stubby feet with chitin coated claws for gripping irregular surfaces. Velvet Worms maintain a rigid hydrostatic skeleton of internal pressure that their simple musculature can push against during locomotion. On the third head segment is a small mouth opening, and on each side are a pair of oral papillae which connect to a large slime gland. From these papillae, Velvet Worms can spray a sticky glue like substance which ensnares small arthropods and can be deployed defensively against predators. Their outer skin is a thin layer of cuticle formed predominantly of proteins and chitin. Under this is a single layer of epidermis, followed by tiny muscle layers. The outer cuticle is covered in fine papillae, some of these house clusters of sensitive hair-like bristles and small fuzzy scales, lending them the soft ‘velvety’ appearance and origin of their common name.

This species, Epiperipatus barbadensis is native to the Caribbean island of Barbados. Across Earth, some 200 recognized species exist and are restricted to tropical conditions at the equator and southern hemisphere. Fossilized specimens have been found in amber deposits in the northern hemisphere, indicating a larger range when conditions on the planet were more conducive to survival. Velvet Worms are highly photosensitive and recoil from light sources. They are also easily dessicated and prefer habitats with high moisture and humidity. These little predators can be found hunting at night in leaf litter and other forest floor debris and often cluster together under wet rotting wood, moss covered stones, and even small caves or burrows during the day.

Epiperipatus barbadensis is typical of other Velvet Worms, reaching lengths of 2 to 3.5” and typically clad in aposematic orange or red coloration. This genus of Velvet Worms are viviparous, developing a placenta-like structure on the uterine wall that nourishes the embryonic young during development. These are fascinating animals and have traditionally been difficult to raise in captivity. This species seems to be the easiest to keep long term, using habitat designs and methods commonly seen with small species of sensitive amphibians. With luck, we can continue to work with these incredible living fossils and perhaps with time more species will find success in captive care. Animals like these are often underrepresented and escape the attention of the broader hobby or nature enthusiasts. Despite the fact that Velvet Worms, along with the other Cambrian descendants are this planet's true royalty. They have called our world home from the very beginning. The moment this planet could support multicellular organisms, animals like this rose to prominently stake their claim and plant their flag on the very frontier of life itself. Then quietly survived against all odds, while millions of other species rose and fell, while dynasties changed, and the surface of the planet transformed, these original land dwelling organisms stood proudly on the foundations established by their ancestors, half a billion years ago.

10/02/2024

Making fruit fly cultures and thawing rodents during the Storm-pocalypse. The work never ends and in this hobby, there is no such thing as a day off. Propane and bottled water has become the most valuable resource!

10/01/2024

More Swannanoa pics. Roads are beginning to clear, at least the ones that can. Many roadways are buckled, washed out, or simply gone. Chris Normand brought us a care package of food, water, and fuel yesterday and we can't thank him enough. We cooked dinner for four Swannanoa households last night and everyone was incredibly thankful of his help!

We are still without power and water, and best outlooks is a week or so on electricity and much longer for water. Cell service is sporadic, and we drove out to a friend's on the other side of Asheville for the first hot showers in a week.

I'm hoping to get some gas this week and still make it to the Charlotte Repticon show this weekend. Still no supply distribution from federal or state levels. Community based response has been the primary form of assistance. The Grovemont Neighborhood has pooled resources and provided coordination for food, water, transport and medical supplies.

09/29/2024

Thank you all for checking in with us. Me, my family, the animals, and our home are all OK. We had some close calls with downed trees and a mild bit of basement flooding. Compared to some parts of the community, we came out incredibly lucky.

We have no power, no water, and until today, there is no cell service. It's hard to put into words. The community was not prepared for this level of devastation. Whole neighborhoods are gone. Homes, businesses, and lives destroyed in seconds. Many of the interstate corridors remain closed or severely choked, which has hampered relief efforts. The Swannanoa valley is eerily quiet. Punctuated by the drone of slowly diminishing generators, intermittent sirens, and dozens of helicopters evacuating injured and hopefully bringing in water.

Still no word on when services may be returned. We are going to Pisgah Brewing Company today to wait in line with the rest of the community as they open up their purified water reservoir to people in need.

I'm not sure if we will be able to attend this weekends Charlotte Repticon show or if the show will even proceed. We may be looking at a multi-week recovery in Swannanoa. Thank you so much for all the thoughts and prayers. Thanks for reaching out. Service is very spotty, so I apologize if I don't get back to everyone.

09/20/2024

We are headed to the absolutely STACKED All American Reptile & Plant Expo in Charlotte NC this weekend. If you're in the area, you don't want to miss this incredible show. Huge number of diverse vendors, flora and fauna from around the world, and a beautiful venue in Charlotte!

I'll have four tables stacked with a diverse selection of over 100 species! I won't be there for the Friday Set-up/VIP entry. But look for me Saturday and Sunday!

Asheville Wildside

04/10/2025

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