The numbers
Enclosure
45 × 45 × 30 cm
Diet
Large roaches, locusts, crickets · Adults every 7–10 d; juveniles 2×/wk
Temperature
24–28 °C
Humidity
80–90%
Identity
Order / Family
Araneae
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; Not listed
Difficulty
Advanced
Commonality
Occasional in SEA/Thai trade
Adult size
25–30 cm legspan
Lifespan
F 15–25 yr / M 3–6 yr
Growth rate
Fast
Activity & niche
Nocturnal · Terrestrial (deep burrower)
Temperament
Defensive, stridulates, kicks hairs
Venom / defense
Potent urticating hairs (mild venom)
Price (THB)
3,000–10,000 ฿ (indicatif)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
24–28 °C
Humidity
80–90%
Min. enclosure
45×45×30 cm, deep moist substrate
Substrate
Moist coco fibre, deep 20–25 cm
Hides / decor / water
Cork-bark hide, large water dish, sphagnum, high moisture
Diet
Staple food
Large roaches, locusts, crickets
Feeding frequency
Adults every 7–10 d; juveniles 2×/wk
Supplements
None (whole prey)
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Not recommended (very potent urticating hairs)
Communal
No (cannibalistic)
Defense / stress signs
Loud stridulation (hiss), vigorous hair-kicking, threat posture
Reproduction
Reproduction
M mature 3–4 yr; ventral sexing; 1 sac ~50–200 large eggs
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsDesiccation if too dry, fall injury, moult death if humidity low
Red flags / quarantine
SignsCurled legs, lethargy, no feeding; demands high humidity; quarantine 30–60 d
Good to know
- Largest tarantula by mass; hisses via leg stridulation
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