Bolivian blue leg birdeater (Pamphobeteus antinous)

Short answers

Bolivian blue leg birdeater: How big does the enclosure need to be?

50×40×40 cm (floor area over height, deep substrate).

Bolivian blue leg birdeater: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–29 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Bolivian blue leg birdeater: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed (nocturnal).

Bolivian blue leg birdeater: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: females 10–15 years, males 3–4 years.

Bolivian blue leg birdeater: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–29 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

70–80 %

UVB

No UVB needed (nocturnal)

Enclosure

Minimum size

50×40×40 cm (floor area over height, deep substrate)

Substrate

A moisture-retaining coco humus or soil mix they can dig in, at least 12–15 cm; a cork hide, a large water dish

Feeding

Food

Insects (house crickets, roaches, crickets, locusts)

Feeding interval

adults approx. 1×/week or every 10–14 days, juveniles 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

20–23 cm leg span (body ~8–9 cm) — a giant species

Life expectancy

females 10–15 years, males 3–4 years

Origin

Bolivia and adjoining Peru

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; no special registration duties

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Single housing. Solitary and cannibalistic; no pair/group housing. The reason is not conflict but predation: these animals take anything that fits in their mouths, and a second animal in the enclosure is included.

Notes

Adult males show strongly blue-shimmering legs, while the females stay black-brown. It digs a lot when young. Skittish, but shy rather than aggressive — it usually flees into its burrow. Urticating hairs are present.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Pamphobeteus tarantula (Pamphobeteus sp. Platyomma) – Intermediate
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• Arizona blonde tarantula (Aphonopelma chalcodes) – Beginner
• Pinktoe tarantula (Avicularia avicularia) – Beginner
• Cobalt blue tarantula (Cyriopagopus lividus) – Expert
• Gooty sapphire ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria metallica) – Expert
• Peruvian blue tarantula (Thrixopelma cyaneolum) – Beginner
• Singapore blue tarantula (Omothymus violaceopes) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Bolivian blue leg birdeater (Pamphobeteus antinous) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (50×40×40 cm (floor area over height, deep substrate)), substrate (A moisture-retaining coco humus or soil mix they can dig in, at least 12–15 cm; a cork hide, a large water dish), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.