Pumpkin patch tarantula (Hapalopus sp. Colombia)

Short answers

Pumpkin patch tarantula: How big does the enclosure need to be?

30×20×20 cm for the large form; 20×20×20 cm is enough for the small form.

Pumpkin patch tarantula: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–26 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Pumpkin patch tarantula: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed (nocturnal).

Pumpkin patch tarantula: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: females approx. 7–10 years, males 2–3 years.

Pumpkin patch tarantula: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–26 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

65–75 %

UVB

No UVB needed (nocturnal)

Enclosure

Minimum size

30×20×20 cm for the large form; 20×20×20 cm is enough for the small form

Substrate

Moist coco fibre or tropical soil, 7–10 cm; webs heavily, a bark or cork hide as an anchor point, a water dish

Feeding

Food

Insects (small house crickets, crickets, fruit flies or roaches)

Feeding interval

adults every 7–14 days, juveniles every 5–7 days

Key facts

Adult size

Dwarf species: large form ("large") females approx. 8–10 cm leg span, individual animals up to 12 cm, males approx. 5–6 cm; small form ("small") stays noticeably below that

Life expectancy

females approx. 7–10 years, males 2–3 years

Origin

Colombia

Protection status

No CITES or protected status

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Keep them singly. Solitary and cannibalistic – keep them on their own. The reason is not fighting but feeding: these animals take anything that fits in the mouth, and a second animal in the enclosure counts.

Notes

A fast-growing dwarf species, very quick and a strong web builder. A New World species with urticating hairs. Keep the substrate damp but well ventilated. In the trade as a large ("Groot") and a small ("Klein") form.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Pumpkin patch tarantula (Hapalopus sp. Colombia) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Pumpkin patch tarantula (Hapalopus formosus) – Beginner
• 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
• Singapore blue tarantula (Omothymus violaceopes) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Pumpkin patch tarantula (Hapalopus sp. Colombia) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (30×20×20 cm for the large form; 20×20×20 cm is enough for the small form), substrate (Moist coco fibre or tropical soil, 7–10 cm; webs heavily, a bark or cork hide as an anchor point, a 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.