Trinidad chevron tarantula (Psalmopoeus cambridgei)

Short answers

Trinidad chevron tarantula: How big does the enclosure need to be?

30×30×45 cm tall enclosure (arboreal, front-opening is recommended).

Trinidad chevron tarantula: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Trinidad chevron tarantula: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed (nocturnal).

Trinidad chevron tarantula: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: females approx. 12 years, males approx. 3 years.

Trinidad chevron tarantula: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

70–80 %

UVB

No UVB needed (nocturnal)

Enclosure

Minimum size

30×30×45 cm tall enclosure (arboreal, front-opening is recommended)

Substrate

Coco humus (slightly damp), about 5 cm; a vertical cork tube for them to web up; good 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

14–16 cm leg span

Life expectancy

females approx. 12 years, males approx. 3 years

Origin

Trinidad

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

A New World arboreal tarantula without urticating hairs, very fast and defensive with noticeable venom – not one for beginners, and no handling. It builds dense burrow tubes. A front-opening enclosure reduces the escape risk. Substrate only slightly damp, and ventilate well.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

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• Venezuelan suntiger tarantula (Psalmopoeus irminia) – Intermediate
• 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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Trinidad chevron tarantula (Psalmopoeus cambridgei) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (30×30×45 cm tall enclosure (arboreal, front-opening is recommended)), substrate (Coco humus (slightly damp), about 5 cm; a vertical cork tube for them to web up; good 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.