The Spider Shop

The Spider Shop: captive-bred arachnids and invertebrates from Pembrokeshire

The Spider Shop, which trades as Gaia Bio Ltd. T/A TheSpiderShop.co.uk, describes itself as a specialist supplier and breeding facility for arachnids. It operates from Unit 3, Station Yard, Station Road, in Crymych, Pembrokeshire, and sells by mail order. The catalogue is organised around live animals rather than general pet retail, with separate sections for tarantulas, jumping spiders, other spiders, scorpions, praying mantises, beetles and a broader group of invertebrates.

Tarantulas and other spiders

The tarantula section is the most finely divided part of the shop. Stock is grouped by life stage into sub-adults and adults, juveniles, spiderlings, and pairs or mature males, which allows buyers to select animals at a particular point in their development. A separate genus selector lists dozens of genera, from Acanthoscurria and Aphonopelma to Theraphosa, Tlitocatl and Xenesthis, so customers can browse by scientific classification. Jumping spiders and other spiders sit in their own categories alongside the tarantulas.

Scorpions, mantises and beetles

Beyond spiders, the range covers scorpions, praying mantises and several beetle groups. Beetles are split into flower beetles, rhino beetles, stag beetles and other beetles. The invertebrate section extends to isopods, centipedes, millipedes, phasmids and crustaceans, with a catch-all category for everything else.

Livefood, equipment and starter kits

The shop supplies livefood, including black crickets, silent crickets, locusts and other live foods. Its equipment range covers terrariums; boxes, tubs and pots; plants and decor; hides and bowls; substrates; climate control, heating and lighting; supplements and diets; accessories; shipping supplies; live plants; books and media; and gifts and miscellaneous items. Starter kits and complete setups with animals are offered as ready-made options, and a special offers section groups discounted stock.

Buying, delivery and wholesale

Orders are handled through an online account and cart, and the site includes pages on ordering, delivery and arrival, a first-spider guide and a tarantula care guide. A points and rewards scheme is available to account holders, and customers can subscribe to weekly livestock lists. A wholesale and export line is listed separately from general sales and enquiries, and the site also mentions surplus stock, terms and conditions, and an affiliates and influencers programme.

Visits by appointment

The business states that visits and collections at its premises are by appointment only, and that it is sometimes very busy, so a call is needed to arrange a suitable time. It adds that after 3pm or Fridays are usually best.