Spider fighting

Thiania bhamoensis: Wiki Commons by
Victor Khoo. Source here

AS A SPECIES, we are deeply fascinated with other animals. We watch them obsessively in the zoo, in the wild and on TV. We domesticate and use them as labour and for food. We treat many as pets. We are inspired by them, often writing eloquently about their various characteristics – especially those of birds. Read here. Strangely, maybe because of this fascination, we also like to watch them fight. As kids, we were most familiar with those involving fish and spiders; probably because they were small and we could not empathise with the pain they went through.

The spider species that we caught and used to fight was Thiania bhamoensis (literally means “From Bhamo”, referring to Bhamo, a city in northern Burma). This is how they are described in Wikipedia:

These spiders build a silken retreat by binding a pair of green leaves together, where they rest, moult and lay their eggs, which is unusual for a jumping spider. Making a single rivet to attach the leaves takes about half an hour. About four to ten rivets are arranged in a roughly elliptical manner. These nests are built by both sexes and juveniles. Although T. bhamoensis can be found on many kinds of plants, it most often chooses Crinum asiaticum (spider lily)… 

Because two males will readily fight each other, either in a natural setting, or if put together, they are commonly known as “fighting spider” in South-east Asia.

Three spheres of activities 

Logo of the spider maintenance kit in Singapore

Those actively involved in spider fighting took part in roughly three spheres of activities:

• Catching: Tiger lilies were not the most common spider habitat for us. The hibiscus shrubs and leafy hedges were our favourite hunting grounds. Armed with small metal cigarette boxes (“Camel” or “555” brands, for example), we would look for leaves stuck together. Once found, we opened them slightly to peep and see (1) if there was a spider inside and (2) if it were male or female. Only males fought vigorously and we could tell by their bigger size and darker, more vibrant colours. Usually, the females were left alone. If it was a male, we would clasp the two leaves with the cigarette box and pull them away. Our hauls were sorted out only later, in the comfort of the home, where the spiders had fewer avenues of escape.
• Maintenance: Fighting spiders were kept in match boxes or paper cigarette boxes in which were placed a leaf or two. A drop of water was added every now and then and, for food, we had to catch baby spiders (they are cannibals) or just feed them insects like ants and flies – preferably live. Sometimes, a female would be introduced into the box – for companionship or as prey for food. A Singaporean company has made a kit, complete with instructions, for spider maintenance. Read here. 
• Fighting: When two male spiders were placed on a flat surface and they spotted each other, they postured a lot. Usually a fight would ensue. Most fights, as far as I know, did not take too long. The loser usually conceded quickly and ran off, often back to the hand or finger of the owner. There are videos of them fighting for up to 6-7 minutes. Watch here. 

Like most other pastimes, spider fighting had a season too, in the ever moving cycle of events in the childhood calendar.

© Lim Siang Jin