Critically Endangered Octopod

For over a century, one of the core missions of our Zoo has been to showcase the wide diversity of life, or biodiversity, to the public. As a result, we house representatives of animal groups that most zoos barely deal with, if at all. Among these are several species of spiders, including rare ones like the Hogna ingens wolf spider.

This species exists in the wild in only one place: on Deserta Grande, a small volcanic island in the Madeira archipelago. The island itself covers just 10 square kilometres, smaller than the Tihany Peninsula (Hungary), and within this island, these spiders are found in only one valley, the 83-hectare Vale da Castanheira, which is 2.8 km long and 180–400 metres wide. Their wild population is estimated to be only a few thousand individuals, which is why they are listed as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

Conservation-focused breeding of the species in zoos began in 2016, and we started working with them in 2022.
From the outset, one of our goals has been to introduce this rare and unique species to the public, demonstrating that it is not just well-known endangered species like gorillas, red pandas, or Persian leopards that need protection, but also less familiar or less popular animals.

In addition to showcasing the species, conservation breeding was also among our objectives. Our efforts have been rewarded twice so far, with around 120 Hogna ingens wolf spiders being born at our Zoo.

While the offspring are not yet on display, the large adult female can currently be seen by visitors in the “Varázshegy” (Magic Mountain) exhibit, where we have created a terrarium that replicates her natural habitat.