By far one of the most sought after dwarf species, the Colombian Pumpkin Patch tarantula has most definitely become a hobby favorite. They come to us from the pacific coast of Colombia where there are two morphs of this species named “Groot/Large” and “Small/Klein”. The Groot/Large species will grow to be about 3 to 4 inches while the Small/Klein species will grow to be about 2 to 2.5 inches in length. They love a more tropical climate and are a new world species. The average life span for these also varies with most females living to be about 8 to 10 years while males have been known to mature within 2 to 3 years. The Pumpkin Patch will show their colors as early as 2nd to 3rd instar slings.

 

pumpkin patch

 

Habitat:  There is not much room needed for these little guys. As spiderlings you should be able to easily keep them in small vials and later on in deli cups. As full adults they would only need at most a gallon sized critter keeper. They are known burrowers and an ample amount of damp substrate would suffice. We recommend you use coconut fiber but simple damp soil would do the trick just fine. A piece of bark or wood would make a great initial hide as they try to burrow. This species is known for being a very heavy webber and you can count on it webbing the entire enclosure once it feels at home. Temperatures should be kept at about 80 degrees Fahrenheit with a humidity of about 70%. We recommend you keep one side of the enclosure dry and the other side damp.

 

Feeding: As slings you can feed them flightless fruit flies as well as small crushed up crickets. As they get older you can keep them on a steady diet of pinhead crickets and any type of roaches. The Pumpkin Patch Tarantula can also eat mealworms and superworms with ease. Make sure that you do remove any sort of prey that does that get eaten within 24 hours. These guys being burrowers you might not be able to tell when they are in pre-molt stages or even molting and would not want to cause harm to them by stressing them out and leaving prey in their enclosures.

 

Attitude: The Pumpkin Patch Tarantula is a great beginner tarantula it is very calm and they rarely strike a threat pose or flick hairs. They tend to make a quick dash once disturbed instead of being defensive. If bitten their venom tends to be very weak and should not cause much discomfort, if you are allergic however please seek medical treatment. As always, though small, you should always be careful when handling any tarantula!