The numbers
Enclosure
40 × 30 × 30 cm
Diet
Large roaches, crickets, locusts · Adults every 7–10 d; juveniles 2×/wk
Temperature
24–28 °C
Humidity
70–80%
Identity
Order / Family
Araneae
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; Not listed
Difficulty
Intermediate
Commonality
Occasional in SEA/Thai trade
Adult size
16–20 cm legspan
Lifespan
F 13–15 yr / M 3–4 yr
Growth rate
Fast
Activity & niche
Nocturnal · Terrestrial (burrower when young)
Temperament
Defensive, fast, big appetite
Venom / defense
Urticating hairs (mild venom)
Price (THB)
800–3,000 ฿ (indicatif)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
24–28 °C
Humidity
70–80%
Min. enclosure
40×30×30 cm floor space
Substrate
Coco fibre/peat, deep 12–15 cm
Hides / decor / water
Cork-bark hide, large water dish
Diet
Staple food
Large roaches, crickets, locusts
Feeding frequency
Adults every 7–10 d; juveniles 2×/wk
Supplements
None (whole prey)
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Discouraged (defensive, fast)
Communal
No (cannibalistic)
Defense / stress signs
Hair-kicking, threat posture, striking, bolting
Reproduction
Reproduction
M mature 1.5–2 yr; ventral sexing; 1 sac ~300–800 eggs
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsDehydration, fall injury, DKS, bald patches
Red flags / quarantine
SignsCurled legs, lethargy, no feeding, oral/anal fluid, mites; quarantine 30–60 d
Good to know
- Big Caribbean species with blue/purple metallic sheen
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