The numbers
Enclosure
20 × 20 × 25 cm
Diet
Crickets, roaches, locusts; occasional superworm · Slings 2–3×/week; juveniles ~weekly; adults every 7–14 days
Temperature
23–27°C (74–80°F)
Humidity
60–70%
Identity
Order / Family
Araneae
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated (IUCN); not CITES-listed
Difficulty
Advanced (experts only)
Commonality
Popular – unique trapdoor behaviour makes it sought-after
Adult size
Body ~4 cm; leg span ~9–11 cm (small)
Lifespan
Females ~10–12 yr; males ~3 yr
Growth rate
Medium
Activity & niche
Fossorial – builds a hinged silk trapdoor over its burrow; nocturnal
Temperament
Fast and skittish; bolts into burrow, defensive if cornered
Venom / defense
No urticating hairs; medically significant venom – experts only; fast and defensive
Price (THB)
800–2,500 ฿ (indicatif)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
23–27°C (74–80°F)
Humidity
60–70%
Min. enclosure
Adult ~20×20×25 cm; deep compact substrate for a trapdoor burrow
Substrate
15–20 cm firm coco fibre/soil that holds a burrow and door
Hides / decor / water
Compact deep substrate, cork, water dish; let it build its own door
Diet
Staple food
Crickets, roaches, locusts; occasional superworm
Feeding frequency
Slings 2–3×/week; juveniles ~weekly; adults every 7–14 days
Supplements
None – gut-load feeders only
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Not recommended – fast, defensive, potent venom; observation only
Communal
No – solitary and cannibalistic
Defense / stress signs
Snaps trapdoor shut, bolts into burrow, threat posture; no hair-kicking
Reproduction
Reproduction
Oviparous; 1 egg sac, ~40–80 spiderlings; medium-growth slings
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsDehydration, mold if over-damp, poor molt if too dry, fall/rupture, DKS from pesticides
Red flags / quarantine
SignsQuarantine imports for mites/nematodes; watch DKS, death curl; give it depth to build a door
Good to know
- The only popular hobby tarantula that builds a true hinged trapdoor – it flicks the silk lid open to ambush passing prey, showing blue foot-pads
Others in this group
Orange Baboon Tarantula (OBT / 'Orange Bitey Thing')Pterinochilus murinusCurly Hair TarantulaTliltocatl albopilosus (ex Brachypelma)Mexican Red KneeBrachypelma hamorii (ex smithi)Green Bottle Blue (GBB)Chromatopelma cyaneopubescensThai Zebra Leg TarantulaCyriopagopus albostriatus (ex Haplopelma albostriatum)Cobalt Blue TarantulaCyriopagopus lividus (ex Haplopelma lividum)Gooty Sapphire Ornamental TarantulaPoecilotheria metallicaIndian Ornamental TarantulaPoecilotheria regalis