A viral clip of two spiders fighting on a thin stick has brought renewed attention to spider derby, a traditional pastime in parts of the Philippines. The spider-wrestling tradition in the Philippines is back in online conversations after a video shared on X by account @DaMidgetZimbo on October 25, 2026.
It shows two spiders placed at opposite ends of a narrow bamboo stick. They move towards each other, grapple, and may fall onto the table as people watch. Recent media reports did not provide a verified view count. The “fight club” label is catchy, but the footage shows an improvised contest, not a formal sports arena. The post’s caption joked, “Thought I’d seen it all, then I learned about Spider Fight clubs.”
How Spider Derby Works
In this game, people will gather spiders from plants and bushes, put them in small containers, and gather them on one stick. The first spider to be knocked down is the loser, according to GMA News. Though it’s not exclusive to the Philippines, it was played in some Filipino communities, even in the rural areas. In 2016, spider-wrestling was documented in Northern Mindanao.
What Research Says
The study conducted interviews using a random sampling of 300 respondents in specific areas of five provinces from December 2014 to February 2015. Out of the 10 species of the Araneidae family, they spotted 10 species in use during matches. Two were most common: Neoscona vigilans (60.19 per cent) and Neoscona punctigera (32.87 per cent). Only female spiders were used, mostly mature females of reproductive age.
The age structure indicated a possible decline in populations of common derbyspiders in the area surveyed, researchers said. This is a regional and not a national figure.
Why The Tradition Raises Concern
Spiders prey on insects and help regulate their populations, so collecting them from the wild can raise ecological concerns. Philippine law regulates wildlife collection and possession. Section 27 of Republic Act 9147 lists collecting, hunting, or possessing wildlife among prohibited acts unless allowed under the law.
There is also a gambling issue. In a 2019 case in Valencia City, police arrested four men over a spider derby and reported seizing 32 live spiders, an improvised arena, and 300 pesos in betting money. Authorities said the men could face charges under anti-illegal-gambling rules. That past case does not show that police have acted over the current viral clip.
The video may look like a strange online spectacle, but spider derby has a real local history. Its viral moment also raises a useful question: how can old pastimes be understood while protecting wildlife and preventing illegal betting?
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