Venezuelan suntiger tarantula (Psalmopoeus irminia)

Short answers

Venezuelan suntiger tarantula: How big does the enclosure need to be?

30×30×40 cm tall enclosure (arboreal, front-opening is recommended).

Venezuelan suntiger tarantula: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Venezuelan suntiger tarantula: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed (nocturnal).

Venezuelan suntiger tarantula: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: females approx. 10–12 years, males approx. 3 years.

Venezuelan suntiger 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

30×30×40 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

13–15 cm leg span

Life expectancy

females approx. 10–12 years, males approx. 3 years

Origin

Venezuela, Guyana and adjacent northern Brazil (tropical rainforest)

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; no special registration duties

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Solitary housing. The species is solitary and cannibalistic; a second animal in the enclosure sooner or later ends with a dead animal. Juveniles are also separated as soon as they leave the egg sac and disperse — better a little too early than too late. Males and females only come together briefly for mating, and under supervision.

Notes

A strikingly black-and-orange New World arboreal tarantula without urticating hairs, very fast and defensive (it usually hides) with noticeable venom – not one for beginners, and no handling. The slings are prone to desiccation: slightly damp plus good ventilation. A front-opening enclosure is recommended.

Do you keep this species?

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Venezuelan suntiger tarantula (Psalmopoeus irminia) currently offered

• Psalmopoeus irminia – Hardisleben · 10 €

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All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Venezuelan suntiger tarantula (Psalmopoeus irminia) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (30×30×40 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.