Malaysian earth tiger tarantula (Omothymus schioedtei)

Short answers

Malaysian earth tiger tarantula: How big does the enclosure need to be?

30×30×45 cm tall enclosure (arboreal, height matters).

Malaysian earth tiger tarantula: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–29 °C, at night 21–23 °C.

Malaysian earth tiger tarantula: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed (nocturnal).

Malaysian earth tiger tarantula: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: females 12–15 years, males 3–4 years.

Malaysian earth tiger tarantula: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–29 °C

Night temperature

21–23 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

70–85 %

UVB

No UVB needed (nocturnal)

Enclosure

Minimum size

30×30×45 cm tall enclosure (arboreal, height matters)

Substrate

Coco humus on the floor and a tall vertical cork tube as a burrow; damp with strong ventilation

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

up to 22 cm leg span (carapace over 3 cm) — a very large species

Life expectancy

females 12–15 years, males 3–4 years

Origin

The Malay Peninsula

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

It lives in the rainforest in retreats high in the trees. Very large, very fast and defensive, with medically significant venom. No handling, and not one for beginners.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Malaysian earth tiger tarantula (Omothymus schioedtei) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Singapore blue tarantula (Omothymus violaceopes) – Expert
• Amazon birdeater (Iridopelma hirsutum) – Intermediate
• 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
• Blue foot baboon tarantula (Idiothele mira) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Malaysian earth tiger tarantula (Omothymus schioedtei) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (30×30×45 cm tall enclosure (arboreal, height matters)), substrate (Coco humus on the floor and a tall vertical cork tube as a burrow; damp with strong ventilation), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.