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Information on Tarantulas

Tarantula care guide

26 January 2025

Welcome to Evolution Reptiles’ guide to tarantula care! Whether you’re a seasoned arachnid enthusiast or just starting your journey into the fascinating world of these eight-legged wonders, you’ve come to the right place. Our expert team is here to provide you with all the essential knowledge and practical advice you need to ensure your tarantula thrives.

A Brief History of Tarantulas

Tarantulas are ancient creatures with a rich history dating back to the Carboniferous period, over 300 million years ago. These remarkable arachnids belong to the Theraphosidae family and are found in warm climates around the world, from the jungles of South America to the deserts of Africa. Their name originates from the town of Taranto in Italy, where European settlers in the 16th century encountered the local wolf spider – not a true tarantula but enough to inspire fear and legend.

Tarantulas have fascinated and perhaps terrified humans for centuries, featuring prominently in cultural folklore and even as symbols of fearlessness and mystery. Today, they are beloved by hobbyists and educators alike for their unique behaviours.

Ready to Care for a Tarantula?

Tarantulas are not only captivating creatures but also relatively low-maintenance pets compared to more traditional animals. However, their unique needs and behaviours call for specific care.

Giant White Knee (Acanthoscurria geniculata)

Appearance: Black body with white stripes on the knees and red/orange hairs
Size: 18-20 cm.
Origin: Brazil.
Temperature: 25-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Desert Blonde (Aphonopelma chalcodes)

Appearance: Blonde body with black femurs.
Size: 13-15 cm.
Origin: USA (Arizona).
Temperature: 25-30°C.
Humidity: 50-60%.
Temperament: Docile.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Wooly Pink Toe (Avicularia bicegoi)

Appearance: Dark body with pinkish feet.
Size: 10-13 cm.
Origin: South America.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Docile.
Habitat: Arboreal.

Metallic Pink Toe (Avicularia metallica)

Appearance: Metallic blue/green with pink toes.
Size: 10-13 cm.
Origin: South America.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Docile.
Habitat: Arboreal.

Purple Pink Toe (Avicularia purpurea)

Appearance: Metallic purple with pink toes.
Size: 13-15 cm.
Origin: Ecuador.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Docile.
Habitat: Arboreal.

Yellow Banded Pink Toe (Avicularia rufa)

Appearance: Black with yellow bands and pink toes.
Size: 10-13 cm.
Origin: South America.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Docile.
Habitat: Arboreal.

Mexican Golden Red Rump (Brachypelma albiceps)

Appearance: Black body with golden carapace and red rump.
Size: 13-15 cm.
Origin: Mexico.
Temperature: 22-28°C.
Humidity: 60-70%.
Temperament: Docile.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Mexican Fire Leg (Brachypelma boehmei)

Appearance: Black body with bright red legs.
Size: 13-15 cm.
Origin: Mexico.
Temperature: 22-28°C.
Humidity: 60-70%.
Temperament: Docile but can be defensive.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Mexican Red Knee (Brachypelma hamorii)

Appearance: Black body with red knees.
Size: 13-15 cm.
Origin: Mexico.
Temperature: 22-28°C.
Humidity: 60-70%.
Temperament: Docile.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Mexican Tan Tarantula (Brachypelma kahlenbergi)

Appearance: Tan body with black markings.
Size: 13-15 cm.
Origin: Mexico.
Temperature: 2228°C.
Humidity: 60-70%.
Temperament: Docile.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Puerto Rican Pink Toe (Caribena laeta)

Appearance: Dark body with pink toes.
Size: 10-13 cm.
Origin: Puerto Rico.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Docile.
Habitat: Arboreal.

Rear Horned Baboon (Ceratogyrus darlingi)

Appearance: Grey body with a horn on the carapace.
Size: 10-13 cm.
Origin: Southern Africa.
Temperature: 22-28°C.
Humidity: 60-70%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Fossorial.

Vietnam Blue Tarantula (Chilobrachys dyscolus)

Appearance: Dark blue body.
Size: 10-13 cm.
Origin: Vietnam.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Fossorial.

Asian Fawn Tarantula (Chilobrachys huahini)

Appearance: Brown body with a fawn pattern.
Size: 13-15 cm.
Origin: Thailand.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Fossorial.

Electric Blue Earth Tiger (Chilobrachys natanicharum)

Appearance: Dark body with electric blue markings.
Size: 13-15 cm.
Origin: Thailand.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Fossorial.

Green Bottle Blue Juvenile (Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens)

Appearance: Green body with blue legs.
Size: 13-15 cm.
Origin: Venezuela.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 50-60%.
Temperament: Docile.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Peru Love Heart (Cyriocosmus aueri)

Appearance: Brown body with heart shaped markings.
Size: 5-8 cm.
Origin: Peru.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Docile.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Peruvian Dwarf Tiger (Cyriocosmus sellatus)

Appearance: Brown body with tiger like stripes.
Size: 5-8 cm.
Origin: Peru.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Docile.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Cobalt Blue Tarantula (Cyriopagopus lividum)

Appearance: Dark blue body.
Size: 13-15 cm.
Origin: Thailand and Myanmar.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Fossorial.

Thailand Black Tarantula (Cyriopagopus minax)

Appearance: Black body.
Size: 13-15 cm.
Origin: Thailand.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Fossorial.

Hati Hati Purple (Cyriopagopus sp. “Hati Hati”)

Appearance: Purple body.
Size: 13-15 cm.
Origin: Indonesia.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Arboreal.

Bach Ma Earth Tiger (Cyriopagopus sp. “Bach Ma”)

Appearance: Brown body with stripes.
Size: 1315 cm.
Origin: Vietnam.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Fossorial.

Midnight Blue Tarantula (Cyriopagopus sp. “Midnight Blue”)

Appearance: Dark blue body.
Size: 13-15 cm.
Origin: Southeast Asia.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Fossorial.

Mexican Tiger Rump (Davus pentaloris)

Appearance: Black body with orange tiger like markings on the rump.
Size: 10-13 cm.
Origin: Mexico.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 60-70%.
Temperament: Docile.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Oaxaca White Tiger (Davus sp. “Oaxaca”)

Appearance: Brown body with white tiger-like markings.
Size: 10-13 cm.
Origin: Mexico.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 60-70%.
Temperament: Docile.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Lava Tarantula (Davus sp. “Panama”)

Appearance: Black body with orange/red markings.
Size: 10-13 cm.
Origin: Panama.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Docile.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Skeleton Tarantula (Ephebopus murinus)

Appearance: Dark body with white, skeleton like markings on the legs.
Size: 13-15 cm.
Origin: South America (French Guiana, Brazil).
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Fossorial.

Brazilian Red Rump (Grammostola actaeon)

Appearance: Black body with a red abdomen.
Size: 15-18 cm.
Origin: Brazil.
Temperature: 22-26°C.
Humidity: 60-70%.
Temperament: Docile.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Chaco Golden Knee (Grammostola pulchripes)

Appearance: Brown body with golden stripes on the legs.
Size: 15-18 cm.
Origin: Paraguay, Argentina.
Temperature: 22-26°C.
Humidity: 60-70%.
Temperament: Docile.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Chilean Rose (Grammostola rosea)

Appearance: Brown body with rose colored hair.
Size: 10-15 cm.
Origin: Chile.
Temperature: 20-24°C.
Humidity: 50-60%.
Temperament: Docile.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Fire Red Pumpkin (Hapalopus sp. “Guerilla”)

Appearance: Orange body with black markings.
Size: 7-8 cm.
Origin: Colombia.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Togo Starburst (Heteroscodra maculata)

Appearance: Grey body with starburst patterns.
Size: 12-15 cm.
Origin: Togo, West Africa.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Arboreal.

Gabon Baboon Tarantula (Heterothele gabonensis)

Appearance: Brown body with black markings.
Size: 8-10 cm.
Origin: Gabon.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Blue Foot Baboon (Idiothele mira)

Appearance: Brown body with blue feet.
Size: 8-10 cm.
Origin: South Africa.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 60-70%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Fossorial.

Sangihe Island Black (Lampropelma nigerrimum)

Appearance: Black body.
Size: 15-18 cm.
Origin: Sangihe Island, Indonesia.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Arboreal.

Borneo Black (Lampropelma nigerrimum arboricola)

Appearance: Black body.
Size: 15-18 cm.
Origin: Borneo.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Arboreal.

Salmon Pink Birdeater (Lasiodora parahybana)

Appearance: Dark body with pink hairs.
Size: 25-28 cm.
Origin: Brazil.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Peru Blonde (Lasiodorides polycuspulatus)

Appearance: Blonde body with black markings.
Size: 20-25 cm.
Origin: Peru.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Purple Zebra Tarantula (Melopoeus sp. Purple)

Appearance: Brown body with purple zebra like stripes.
Size: 15-18 cm.
Origin: Southeast Asia.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Fossorial.

Socotra Island Blue Baboon (Monocentropus balfouri)

Appearance: Blue body with white carapace.
Size: 15-18 cm.
Origin: Socotra Island.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 60-70%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Banded Sunburst Dwarf Tarantula (Neischnocolus sp. Panama)

Appearance: Brown body with banded legs.
Size: 7-8 cm.
Origin: Panama.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Docile.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Paraguay Red Hair (Nhandu carapoensis)

Appearance: Black body with red hairs.
Size: 13-15 cm.
Origin: Paraguay.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 60-70%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

White Striped Birdeater Spiderling (Nhandu chromatus)

Appearance: Black body with white stripes.
Size: 15-18 cm.
Origin: Brazil.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Singapore Blue (Omothymus violaceopes)

Appearance: Blue body with black markings.
Size: 20-25 cm.
Origin: Singapore.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Arboreal.

NHEN DEP Earth Tiger (Ornithoctoninae sp. “Nhen Dep”)

Appearance: Brown body with black markings.
Size: 15-18 cm.
Origin: Southeast Asia.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Fossorial.

Black Femur Fury Tarantula (Orphaneus dichromata)

Appearance: Black body with red markings.
Size: 15-18 cm.
Origin: Brazil.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Java Tree Tiger (Phormingochilus sp. Rufus)

Appearance: Brown body with tiger-like stripes.
Size: 15-18 cm.
Origin: Java, Indonesia.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Arboreal.

Red Slate Ornamental (Poecilotheria rufilata)

Appearance: Grey body with red slates and patterns.
Size: 15-18 cm.
Origin: India.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Arboreal.

Trinidad Chevron (Psalmopoeus cambridgei)

Appearance: Green and brown body with orange chevrons.
Size: 15-18 cm.
Origin: Trinidad.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Arboreal.

Costa Rican Orange (Psalmopoeus reduncus)

Appearance: Brown body with orange markings.
Size: 15-18 cm.
Origin: Costa Rica.
Temperature: 24–28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Arboreal.

Orange Baboon (Pterinochilus murinus)

Appearance: Bright orange body.
Size: 12-15 cm.
Origin: Africa.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 50-60%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Zimbabwe Starburst (Pterinochilus murinus)

Appearance: Dark brown/black body with silvery starburst patterns.
Size: 12-15 cm.
Origin: Africa.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 50-60%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Orange Baboon (OBT) (Pterinochilus murinus)

Appearance: Bright orange body.
Size: 12-15 cm.
Origin: Africa.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 50-60%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Mikumi Starburst Tarantula (Pterinochilus murinus)

Appearance: Brown body with golden starburst patterns.
Size: 12-15 cm.
Origin: Africa.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 50-60%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Caribbean Diamond Tarantula (Tapinauchenius rasti)

Appearance: Brown body with diamond patterns.
Size: 10-13 cm.
Origin: Caribbean.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Arboreal.

Pink Foot Goliath Birdeater (Theraphosa apophysis)

Appearance: Brown body with pink feet.
Size: 25-30 cm.
Origin: South America.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 80-90%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Goliath Birdeater (Theraphosa blondi)

Appearance: Dark brown body.
Size: 25-30 cm.
Origin: South America.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 80-90%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Burgundy Goliath Birdeater (Theraphosa stirmi)

Appearance: Dark brown body with burgundy hues.
Size: 25-30 cm.
Origin: South America.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 80-90%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Azul Birdeater (Theraphosidae sp. Azul)

Appearance: Blue body.
Size: 20-25 cm.
Origin: South America.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Curly Hair (Tliltocatl albopilosus)

Appearance: Brown body with curly hairs.
Size: 12-15 cm.
Origin: Central America.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 60-70%.
Temperament: Docile.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Mexican Tan (Tliltocatl kahlenbergi)

Appearance: Tan body with black markings.
Size: 13-15 cm.
Origin: Mexico.
Temperature: 22-28°C.
Humidity: 60-70%.
Temperament: Docile.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

White Striped Birdeater (Vitalius chromatus)

Appearance: Black body with white stripes.
Size: 15-18 cm.
Origin: Brazil.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Defensive.
Habitat: Terrestrial.

Amazon Sapphire Pinktoe (Ybyrapora diversipes)

Appearance: Brown body with green/blue legs.
Size: 10-13 cm.
Origin: Brazil.
Temperature: 24-28°C.
Humidity: 70-80%.
Temperament: Docile.
Habitat: Arboreal.

Mexican Red Knee - Juvenile Brachypelma Smithi

Tarantula Keeping: Exploring the Pros and Cons

June 26, 2023

Tarantula Keeping: Exploring the Pros and Cons of This Fascinating Hobby Keeping tarantulas as pets has gained popularity among arachnid enthusiasts worldwide. These unique