Sangihe black tarantula (Lampropelma nigerrimum)

Short answers

Sangihe black tarantula: How big does the enclosure need to be?

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

Sangihe black tarantula: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–29 °C, at night 21–23 °C.

Sangihe black tarantula: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed (nocturnal).

Sangihe black tarantula: How long do they live?

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

Sangihe black 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

75–85 %

UVB

No UVB needed (nocturnal)

Enclosure

Minimum size

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

Substrate

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

17–20 cm leg span (body ~7 cm)

Life expectancy

females 12–15 years, males 3–4 years

Origin

Indonesia (the island of Sangihe)

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

Jet-black, with adult females showing a bluish sheen. Native to a single island and correspondingly rare. Very fast and defensive, with medically significant venom. No handling, and not one for beginners.

Do you keep this species?

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• Cobalt blue tarantula (Cyriopagopus lividus) – Expert
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• Peruvian blue tarantula (Thrixopelma cyaneolum) – Beginner
• Singapore blue tarantula (Omothymus violaceopes) – Expert
• Blue foot baboon tarantula (Idiothele mira) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Sangihe black tarantula (Lampropelma nigerrimum) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 30×30×45 cm as a tall enclosure (arboreal, height matters)), substrate (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.