About Chaetopelma olivaceum (C.L.Koch, 1841)
Adult males of Chaetopelma olivaceum have a body length of approximately 2.5 cm, while adult females reach 5 cm or larger. It is one of the largest spider species found in Israel. Body color varies between black, gray, and dark brown. Individuals tend to be paler in the cooler, more forested regions within the species' range, and darker in the more arid southern areas. The body is covered in tiny hairs, giving it a shiny, velvety texture. There are variations in both appearance and size across the species' entire range. Its diet includes insects, and even small mice and young lizards. This species is sexually dimorphic, with females growing larger than males. Chaetopelma olivaceum is distributed across Cyprus, Turkey, Sudan, Egypt, and the Middle East.
