Tarantulas of the World

This New World (NW) species comes from Venezuela though recently they have been found all the way in Brazil as well. The Venezuelan Suntiger tarantula is an arboreal species that is a crowd favorite due to its vibrant black coloring with orange chevron marks on its legs and an orange tiger-stripe design on their abdomen. This tarantula experience sexual dimorphism where females are usually bigger and more of a velvet black and sharp orange coloring while males are smaller and are a bit more faded/lighter in color. This is an average size tarantula that at full growth will end up being about 6 inches in size.

Habitat: Because they are tree dwelling spiders your enclosure should be taller with not so much floor space. As spiderlings you can keep them in a small vial with a twig or stick for them to climb up on. At full growth we recommend the most you needing being an 8″ x 8″ wide enclosure that is about 14″ tall. As they like to climb you should also add a decent sized vertical piece of bark with a water dish glued somewhere about 3″ to 4″ from the top. Place the cork bark in about 3″ of substrate. We recommend using coconut fiber such as eco-earth for its high resistance to mold. The Venezuelan Suntiger strives on temperatures of 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit with at least 70% humidity. They tend to web up and create thick tube webs in their enclosure and might even end up living somewhere at the base of their bark.

Feeding:  As slings we recommend small pinhead crickets with their heads crushed off. As most tarantulas the Venezuelan Suntiger can live off of a steady diet of crickets, roaches, locusts, moths and worms. They are great eaters and are fast to pounce on their prey. Be cautious when opening their enclosure to feed them.

Attitude: Though a New World species, this tarantula does not have any urticating hairs. It is extremely defensive and relies solely on its speed and bite when threatened. We do not recommend this tarantula to inexperienced keepers. We also advise you to not handle a Suntiger tarantula because of these reasons.

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.

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!

Known as one of the largest species of tarantulas in the world, this tarantula comes straight from Guyana. Adults have a leg span anywhere between 9 to 11 inches in length. Mature (ultimate) males  lack mating spurs (tibial apophyses), they have pink tarsi (feet) as spiderlings and juveniles. As Adults their patella (knee) will also be bald or have next to no/small hairs. These tarantulas are heavy bodied and posses a distinct burgandy/brown post molt color with reddish bristle-like looking legs and abdomen.

Habitat:

The Burgundy Goliath Birdeater Tarantula are big terrestrials. The Burgundy Goliath Birdeater Tarantula will need an enclosure that is more wide then it is tall. They are fast growers and as adults should be kept in a 15-20 gallon tank giving it ample space to move. The Burgandy Goliath Birdeater requires some humidity (we recommend 75 to 80% humidity) with a temperature of 80 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit to emulate its environment in the wild. Your substrate is key. We recommend damp coconut fiber but vermiculite can also do well, both with weekly water spraying. In addition to humidity your tarantula will require ample ventilation. Prevent stagnant air as this can do harm and even kill your tarantula. A bark hide is recommended as a startup hide, your tarantula will probably end up burrowing underneath it and make its own home. An overflowing water dish should always be present with clean water. Pesticide-free plants and moss can be added but not required.

Feeding:

The Burgandy Goliath Birdeater is a voracious eater to keep up with its fast growth. Any variety of gut-loaded crickets, roaches, locusts, mealworms, superworms can be a healthy and great meal for your tarantula. As full adults you might be able to also feed your tarantula small lizards and mice though we would recommend this be a rare snack for your tarantula to prevent any calcium buildup in your tarantula. As always any prey not consumed within 24 hours should be immediately removed from the enclosure to prevent harm/stress to your tarantula.

Attitude:

The Burgandy Goliath Birdeater is known for having one of the most irritating urticating hairs of all tarantulas. As slings and juveniles they tend to be very skittish but become more laid back as adults. Though they can be aggressive they rarely show a threat pose. We do not recommend handling this species to their sheer size and inch long fangs which can definitely cause some harm though their venom is not lethal to humans.