Joro Spiders for Sale

Each spider season, We get a number of inquiries from spider enthusiasts, entomologists, and people who simply like exotic things. Do we have Joro spiders for sale? It’s a natural question. These are cool spiders. People have offered attractive money and, hey, I gotta eat. But…

Here’s the short answer: No. The long answer (below) is the same, but it explains why.

Can You Legally Sell and Ship a Joro Spider? Here’s What You Need to Know

The Joro spider (Trichonephila clavata) has been making headlines across the Southeast for its striking colors, giant webs, and ever-expanding territory. Naturally, some curious hobbyists have wondered: can you catch one and sell it to someone in another state?

The short answer: no. I said that already, but it is important to make it clear. Here’s why:

While the Joro might be a non-native species, the laws around collecting and selling wild animals (even non-native and invasive ones) are surprisingly strict. What might seem like a simple transaction (catching a spider in Georgia and mailing it to a buyer elsewhere) is tangled in multiple layers of legal issues at the state, federal, and even shipping-carrier level.

Georgia Wildlife Regulations

We’re in Georgia, but variations of our laws can be found in every state.

In Georgia, like in most states, wildlife laws cover both native and non-native animals. That means even though Joro spiders aren’t protected, you can’t just collect and sell them freely.

The state generally requires permits or licenses for capturing, possessing, or selling wildlife, and this extends to invertebrates like spiders. While it’s not illegal to simply observe or photograph a Joro in the wild, once you start catching them for profit, you’re entering regulated territory. Without the proper permits, commercial collection is off-limits. Selling wild-caught spiders would almost certainly be considered a violation.

Federal Restrictions on Moving Invasive Species

Wait! There’s more! Even if you somehow sidestepped Georgia law, the bigger hurdle is federal regulation. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) treats non-native arthropods as potential “plant pests.” That means you can’t legally ship a Joro spider across state lines without a federal permit.

The reasoning is simple: scientists are still studying the long-term ecological effects of Joros, and federal law is designed to prevent people from accidentally (or intentionally) speeding up their spread.

On top of that, the Lacey Act makes it a federal crime to transport or sell any wildlife that was obtained illegally under state law. So if catching a Joro in Georgia without a permit is already a violation, mailing it to someone in another state only adds another layer of legal trouble.

Shipping Company Rules

Let’s say, hypothetically, you were still determined to ship a Joro. There’s yet another obstacle: major carriers like UPS, FedEx, and USPS won’t knowingly ship live spiders. Their policies are clear: spiders and most arachnids are prohibited.

Some hobbyists in the invertebrate trade have tried to skirt these rules by disguising packages, but doing so risks seizure, fines, or bans from the carrier. In other words, there’s no legitimate, above-board way to ship a Joro spider through normal channels. We won’t do this. We respect the laws.

To Say It Again

Nope. Can’t do it.

While it might sound like fun to send a Joro spider to a friend across the country, the reality is that doing so would likely break state wildlife laws, federal invasive species regulations, and carrier shipping rules… all at once.

So if you’re fascinated by these colorful newcomers (as you should be), the safest (and legal) option is to enjoy them in their current habitat. Photograph them, observe their behavior, and share your findings with fellow enthusiasts in our Joro spider Facebook group,  but leave the collecting and moving to licensed researchers.