Handling Tips for Pet Chaco Tarantula

Learn how to handle a pet chaco golden knee tarantula in this free pet care video from our spider habitat authority

Learn how to care for a chaco golden knee tarantula in this free pet care video from our spider habitat authority

African Occellated Mantis (Pseudocreobroter occellata)

The African Occellated Mantis is a neat invertebrate pet. These colorful little mantids are easy to breed in captivity, therefore they are fairly common at the moment. They are between 25 and 40 nymphs per ootheca (eggcase). African Occellated Mantids have a look of their own, with a unique design on their wings, and a spiky appearance. They are pros when it comes to catching prey, and will catch a flying insect right out of the air! Like most mantids, the African Occellated Mantis should be kept well ventilated. A screen cage works best for this, just make sure the holes aren't too big for the live prey or baby mantis to escape through. Also, as with other mantid species, they need perches for molting, therefore, branches are necessary. They also need to be fed and misted every other day. Not a starter species, but you don't have to have much experience to keep this mantis. African Occellated Mantids make a good species for an "advanced beginner". In conclusion, the African Occellated Mantis is a nice and rewarding mantis to keep in captivity.

Range	Savannahs and tropical forests of Africa.
Type	Arboreal.
Diet	Babies eat flightless fruit flies, pinhead crickets, and other small insects. Adults eat crickets, moths, flies, and other large insects.
Full Grown Size	2 to 3 inches.
Growth	Fast speed.
Temperature	75 to 82° F.
Humidity	75 to 80%.
Temperament	Docile and calm.
Housing	For mantids, a screen cage is best, and is recommended more than any other enclosure. Babies can live in a small screen cage. Adults can live in a large screen cage. Height is more important than floor space.
Substrate	2 to 3 inches of peat moss, or potting soil.
Decor	Branches, live plants, vines etc. make good climbing accessories. They also need these decorations to hang upside-down on a branch or a leaf for molting purposes. Moss can be added for floor cover.
Other Names	Bulls-eye Mantis, and #9 Mantis.

Malaysian Orchid Mantis (Hymenopus coronatus)

Masters of disguise, the rare Malaysian Orchid Mantis is a gem of the insect world! The coloration between specimens varies from pink to yellow to white, allowing the Malaysian Orchid Mantis to blend in with orchid flowers in its' native habitat. This camouflage is good for not being seen by predators, or prey. Malaysian Orchid Mantids are great at catching prey, especially flying insects. The prey doesn't detect the mantis, until it's too late. Feeding a Malaysian Orchid Mantis can be quite a show! This rare species is slightly difficult to breed. With mature males sometimes less than half the size of the adult females, inbreeding is not likely. Molting can be problematic without proper humidity because of the mantids' extended legs. The legs of a Malaysian Orchid Mantis are made to look like the pedals of a flower. Lastly, the Malaysian Orchid Mantis is reputed to be one of the calmest and most docile mantis species out there! So if you're an intermediate keeper looking for a rare and unique mantis to add to your collection, the Malaysian Orchid Mantis is the one for you!

Range	Malaysian rainforests, possibly rainforests in the Indonesian Islands.
Type	Arboreal.
Diet	Babies eat flightless fruit flies, pinhead crickets, and other small insects. Adults eat crickets, moths, flies, and other large insects.
Full Grown Size	Females get up to 4.5 inches. Males get up to 2 inches.
Growth	Fast speed.
Temperature	Around 80° F.
Humidity	Around 75%.
Temperament	Docile and calm.
Housing	For mantids, a screen cage is best, and is recommended more than any other enclosure. Babies can live in a small screen cage. Adults can live in a large screen cage. Height is more important than floor space.
Substrate	2 to 3 inches of peat moss, or potting soil.
Decor	Branches, live plants, vines etc. make good climbing accessories. They also need these decorations to hang upside-down on a branch or a leaf for molting purposes. Moss can be added for floor cover.
Other Names	Pink Orchid Mantis.

Malaysian Dead Leaf Mantis (Deroplatys dessicata)

The Malaysian Dead Leaf Mantis is a mysterious mantis species. The females of this species can get huge, yet they still are hard to spot out in the rainforest. Malaysian Dead Leaf Mantids hold true to their name. Not only do the legs resemble leaves and twigs, but the entire top of the body has the facade of a dead leaf! The dark underside of the mantis is also good for camouflage, if you look up, you will just see a leaf shadow. The Malaysian Dead Leaf Mantis is master in its' micro-domain, quietly slaying its' unsuspecting insect prey. These mantids are generally placid, but they have a daunting threat display. The Malaysian Dead Leaf Mantis rears back, with his head up high, and ready to strike. Like with cobras, the hooded head adds to the fearsome demeanor. The Malaysian Dead Leaf Mantis makes a cryptic pet for the insect keeper.

Range	Malaysian rainforests.
Type	Arboreal.
Diet	Babies eat flightless fruit flies, pinhead crickets, and other small insects. Adults eat crickets, moths, flies, and other large insects.
Full Grown Size	Females get up to 5.5 inches. Males get up to 3 inches.
Growth	Fast speed.
Temperature	75 to 80° F.
Humidity	Around 75%.
Temperament	Docile and calm.
Housing	For mantids, a screen cage is best, and is recommended more than any other enclosure. Babies can live in a small screen cage. Adults can live in a large screen cage. Height is more important than floor space.
Substrate	2 to 3 inches of peat moss, or potting soil.
Decor	Branches, live plants, vines etc. make good climbing accessories. They also need these decorations to hang upside-down on a branch or a leaf for molting purposes. Moss can be added for floor cover.
Other Names	Dead Leaf Mantis.

Grants' Rhinoceros Beetle (Dynastes granti)

Grants' Rhinoceros Beetle is the longest of the US rhinoceros beetles with the record specimen at 85mm (3.25 inches)! It is a very impressive beetle with a heavy build. Females resemble monstrous spotted June beetles while the males look much more exotic and possess a horn on both the pronotum and head. The horns of the male are used in fighting over females and food. Smaller males can have very tiny horns although properly feeding larvae will produce all major males, like the captive-bred males pictured to the left. In the wild, Grants' Rhinoceros Beetles can be found out at night feeding on tree sap. In captivity, maintaining these beetles is much easier. Unlike many other invertebrates, Grants' Rhinoceros Beetles don't seem to get stressed out by being handled and gently played with by people. They also do not pose a threat to humans when bites and stings are concerned, therefore, these giant beetles make excellent pets! The Grants' Rhinoceros Beetle only lives for one or two years, but it's still an invertebrate worth keeping. They have been becoming more popular lately, and it is easy to see why. The Grants' Rhinoceros Beetle is a perfect combination of simple care, good temperament, and large size.

Range	United States, Arizona and bordering states.
Type	Terrestrial.
Diet	Larvae feed on decomposing rotten wood and leaves. Adults will eat real maple syrup and the soft parts of numerous fruits in captivity.
Full Grown Size	1.2 to 3.25 inches.
Growth	Fast speed.
Temperature	60 to 75° F.
Humidity	70 to 75%.
Temperament	Night active adults seem calm during the day but are quite energetic in the late evening. Males need little incentive to fight but seldom cause more than superficial damage to one another. Adults are strong flyers but poor at landing.
Housing	Larvae should be kept in glass containers with air holes. Adults should be kept in well sealed glass or plastic containers with air holes. Floor space is as important as height.
Substrate	4 to 6 inches of the soil mentioned in the "Diet" section.
Decor	Logs, driftwood, cork bark, etc. make good climbing accessories.
Other Names	Giant North American Rhinoceros Beetle, White Beetle, and Western Hercules Beetle.

Madagascar Hissing Cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa)

Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches are large, wingless, live-bearing cockroaches that may be the best starter cockroach species. They're relatively common, inexpensive, and very interesting additions to any collection, as well as great food items for reptiles, large tarantulas, and large centipedes. Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches have a tough exoskeleton for protection, for they do not possess wings like many other cockroach species. They can also produce a loud hissing sound to scare away predators. Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches generally live 2 to 3 years as adults, but some adults can live for up to 5 years. They can be raised in large numbers in a matter of months, yet are not a pest species. Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches have been used as creepy effects in movies for many years as well. The Madagascar Hissing Cockroach makes an amazing, exotic, and easy-to-care for insect pet!

Range	Moist forests of Madagascar.
Type	Terrestrial.
Diet	Babies and adults eat romaine lettuce, red leaf lettuce, apples, carrots, and other fruits and vegetables.
Full Grown Size	1.5 to 3 inches.
Growth	Fast speed.
Temperature	75 to 90° F.
Humidity	75 to 80%.
Temperament	Docile and calm.
Housing	Babies can live in a clear plastic container with air holes. Adults can live in a 2.5 to 15-gallon tank, depending on the number of cockroaches. Cockroaches can live communally. Floor space is more important than height.
Substrate	1 to 2 inches of peat moss, or potting soil.
Decor	Cork bark, live plants, driftwood, etc. make good hiding places.
Other Names	Madagascar Giant Hissing Cockroach.

Giant Cave Cockroach (Blaberus giganteus)

This cockroach is the largest species in it's genus, and is one of the largest species of cockroaches known to man! The Giant Cave Cockroach is closely related to the cockroaches living in the Carboniferous coal forests 200 million years ago. They have been common lab animals since the 1950's. This cockroach is not considered to be a "pest" species. Giant Cave Cockroaches have many names besides the Giant Cave Cockroach, some of which are listed below. These cockroaches are a great species to have if you want to have a cockroach colony, because of their beauty and size. They make interesting captive insects, and even make great food for reptiles, large tarantulas, and large centipedes!

Range	Tropical areas of Panama, West Indies and northern South America.
Type	Arboreal.
Diet	Babies and adults eat romaine lettuce, bananas, apples, carrots, and other fruits and vegetables.
Full Grown Size	2.5 to 4 inches.
Growth	Medium speed.
Temperature	70 to 80° F.
Humidity	75 to 80%.
Temperament	Docile and nervous.
Housing	Babies can live in a clear plastic container with air holes. Adults can live in a 2.5 to 29-gallon tank, depending on the number of cockroaches. Cockroaches can live communally. Height is more important than floor space.
Substrate	2 to 3 inches of peat moss, potting soil, or pine chips.
Decor	Branches, driftwood, cork bark, etc. make good hiding places and climbing accessories.
Other Names	Trinidad Cave Cockroach, Trinidad Giant Cockroach, Cuban Giant Cockroach, Cuban Black-Spot Cockroach, Glass-Wing Cockroach, Giant Black-Spot Cockroach, and Giant Cockroach.

Emerald Skeleton (Ephebopus uatuman)

This spider has a somewhat inappropriate "common name", as the emerald sheen about the carapace and the greenish tint to the anterior dorsal side of the abdomen fade quite quickly after a molt. Likewise, the "skeleton" stripes are not evident. Most of the time, they are generally a khaki to olive color. Fresh after a molt, the green hues are more evident, and the inside of legs I have a purple/blue tone. Mature males are richer in color, with an overall ruddy coloration.

Range: From near the Uatuma Biological Reserve in Brazil and north to Guyana; some claim northeast into central French Guiana (unconfirmed).
Habitat: Tropical forest floor
Size: A small tarantula. E. uatuman females mature at about 4". Males are tiny, similar in stature to mature male P. murinus.
Attitude: Somewhat defensive. Many will defend themselves by biting if hiding from a potential threat won't work. In my experience, they become tractable over time, but are too skittish for handling. Breeding is quite easy, and eggsacs are produced rapidly (approx. 40 days). While docile toward her partner initially, the female may eat the male quickly after fertilization.
Dwelling: Burrows in humid earth; nooks among the roots of vegetation.

Ideal Setup: A 3 to 5 gallon container with enough peat/potting soil for digging in (fill it about 4-5 inches deep). Supply a water dish and lightly moisten the substrate once or twice a week or so to keep a good amount of humidity. Keep the temperature around 75-85 degrees F if possible.
Food: Any bugs that haven't been exposed to pesticides (3-5 crickets a week for adults).

Pinkfoot Goliath Tarantula (Theraphosa apophysis)

The Pinkfoot Goliath Tarantula is a highly desirable and massive tarantula species! Although the Goliath Birdeater (Theraphosa blondi) is renowned for being the largest spider in the world, some breeders and hobbyists believe otherwise. The Pinkfoot Goliath Tarantula was described 187 years after the Goliath Birdeater, therefore it's not as well-known. Recently, this species changed from the Pseudotheraphosa genus to the Theraphosa genus. Whether or not it's the largest tarantula species, the Pinkfoot Goliath Tarantula is still an immense spider, with some specimens recorded up to 13 inches in legspan! In the wild, they are found in burrows up to 24 inches in the ground! Since most people can't provide it with that much substrate in captivity though, and since most people want to see their tarantula, four to eight inches of substrate is acceptable. The Pinkfoot Goliath Tarantula is a moderately aggressive species with severe urticating hairs. It is not a beginners' species. Unfortunately, Pinkfoot Goliath Tarantulas are very rarely bred in captivity. They also can't be exported anymore, since Venezuela is closed to exportation. Pinkfoot Goliath Tarantulas are some of the hardest to find tarantulas in captivity, and they are quite possibly the largest spiders on earth!

Range	Venezuela.
Type	Burrowing.
Diet	Spiderlings eat pinhead crickets, and other small insects. Adults eat crickets, other large insects, and small vertebrates.
Full Grown Size	9 to 13 inches.
Growth	Fast speed.
Temperature	Around 80° F.
Humidity	75 to 80%.
Temperament	Semi-aggressive and nervous.
Housing	Babies can live in a clear plastic deli-container with air holes. Adults can live in a 15 to 20-gallon tank. Floor space is as important as height.
Substrate	4 to 8 inches of peat moss, or potting soil.
Decor	No decorations are really needed, but you can add a log, or cork bark.
Other Names	Venezuelan Goliath Tarantula, Venezuelan Bird Spider, and Goliath Pinkfoot Tarantula.

Trinidad Chevron Tarantula (Psalmopoeus cambridgei)

The Trinidad Chevron Tarantula is one of the most popular arboreal species. It's large size, and interesting look makes it many peoples' favorite species! Trinidad Chevron Tarantulas have been acknowledged as "adorable" and "cuddly" due to its' fuzzy appearance. Hence the name, the Trinidad Chevron Tarantula has a chevron marking on its' abdomen, and has bright orange stripes on the ends of its' legs which visibly separates this species from most others tarantulas. Trinidad Chevron Tarantulas can be found in most collections because it is a common species. This species is a good choice for the intermediate keeper, even though they are fast tarantulas. Trinidad Chevrons are inexpensive, easily distinguishable captive tarantulas that are great for most tarantula collections.

Range	Tropical areas of Trinidad & Tobago.
Type	Arboreal.
Diet	Spiderlings eat flightless fruit flies, pinhead crickets, and other small insects. Adults eat crickets, moths, flies, other large insects, and an occasional small lizard or pinkie mouse.
Full Grown Size	4.5 to 5.5 inches.
Growth	Fast speed.
Temperature	75 to 85° F.
Humidity	78 to 82%. All tarantulas that have at least a 3" legspan may drink from a shallow, wide water dish.
Temperament	Semi-aggressive and nervous.
Housing	Spiderlings can live in a tall clear plastic container with air holes. Adults can live in a 10 to 15-gallon tank. Height is more important than floor space.
Substrate	2 to 3 inches of peat moss, or potting soil.
Decor	Branches, live plants, vines, etc. make good hiding places and provide a base for the web. Moss can be added for floor cover.
Other Names	N/A.

Brazilian Red Tarantula (Nhandu carapoensis)

Brazilian Red Tarantulas are large and shaggy tarantulas. These rare tarantulas have long red hairs covering their body, that's how they got their common name! A Brazilian Red Tarantula can make a pretty good display tarantula since they are large and don't really burrow. Since the Brazilian Red Tarantula is from the non-extensive genus Nhandu, it can be picked out on a price list without much confusion. These tarantulas are aggressive, and are more on the skittish side. The urticating hairs from the Brazilian Red Tarantula are supposedly more severe than many other species, and they are not shy about flicking their hairs at a potential predator or threat, which could be its' owner! Not a beginners' species, the Brazilian Red Tarantula is a good display tarantula.

Range	Rainforests and savannahs of southern Brazil, and Paraguay.
Type	Terrestrial.
Diet	Spiderlings eat pinhead crickets, and other small insects. Adults eat crickets, other large insects, and an occasional pinkie mouse.
Full Grown Size	6 to 6.5 inches.
Growth	Medium speed.
Temperature	80 to 85° F.
Humidity	75 to 80%.
Temperament	Semi-aggressive and nervous.
Housing	Babies can live in a clear plastic deli-container with air holes. Adults can live in a 5 to 10-gallon tank. Floor space is more important than height.
Substrate	3 to 5 inches of peat moss, or potting soil.
Decor	No decorations are really needed, but you can add a log, or cork bark.
Other Names	Brazilian Orange Tarantula.

Columbian Giant Tarantula (Megaphobema robustum)

The Columbian Giant Tarantula is a very beautiful, large, and unusual tarantula. They are a very popular species for advanced collectors, but they can get expensive. Columbian Giant Tarantulas are known for their unusual defensive behaviors. These tarantulas are of course able to flick urticating hairs and bite, like the usual New World tarantula species, but wait... there's more. They will stretch out their legs, and bob up and down as a first effort to scare away or intimidate the predator. If that doesn't work, then Columbian Giant Tarantulas will then spin in a circle while whipping their legs around trying to hit the predator with the sharp spikes on their back legs. The Columbian Giant Tarantula is an amazing tarantula species like no other!

Range	Tropical rainforests of Columbia, as well as northern and southern Brazil.
Type	Burrowing.
Diet	Spiderlings eat pinhead crickets. Adults eat crickets, other large insects, small lizards, pinkie mice, and even an occasional fuzzy mouse.
Full Grown Size	6.5 to 8 inches.
Growth	Slow speed.
Temperature	75 to 80° F.
Humidity	78 to 82%. All tarantulas that have at least a 3" legspan may drink from a shallow, wide water dish.
Temperament	Aggressive and nervous.
Housing	Spiderlings can live in a clear plastic deli-container with air holes. Adults can live in a 10 to 15-gallon tank. Floor space is more important than height.
Substrate	6 to 8 inches of peat moss, or potting soil.
Decor	No decorations are really needed.
Other Names	Columbian Redleg Tarantula, Columbian Giant Redleg Tarantula, and Giant Columbian Redleg Tarantula.

Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater (Lasiodora parahybana)

The Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater is one of the largest tarantula species in the world! This tarantula is an active and robust tarantula species. The Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater is a relatively fast growing species, reaching lengths of up to 6 inches in just 1 year! This tarantula is a very good eater as well, and will rarely turn down a cricket, or any other live food item. You may think that these tarantulas are expensive, or even hard to find, but this is not the case. Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeaters have many spiderlings at a time, sometimes over 2000, which makes them readily available, and inexpensive. Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeaters don't burrow much nor do they make large webs, making them very good display tarantulas. The Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater is the ideal tarantula species for intermediate or advanced keepers, and should be in all serious tarantula collections!.

Range	Tropical rainforests of eastern Brazil.
Type	Terrestrial.
Diet	Spiderlings eat pinhead crickets, and other small insects. Adults eat crickets, other large insects, small lizards, pinkie mice, and an occasional fuzzy mouse.
Full Grown Size	7.5 to 10 inches.
Growth	Fast speed.
Temperature	75 to 85° F.
Humidity	78 to 82%. All tarantulas that have at least a 3" legspan may drink from a shallow, wide water dish.
Temperament	Semi-aggressive and active.
Housing	Spiderlings can live in a clear plastic deli-container with air holes. Adults can live in a 10 to 20-gallon tank. Floor space is more important than height.
Substrate	3 to 5 inches of peat moss, or potting soil.
Decor	Logs, driftwood, cork bark, etc. make good hiding places. Moss can be added for floor cover.
Other Names	Brazilian Salmon Pink Tarantula, Brazilian Salmon Pink Bird Eating Tarantula, Salmon Pink Birdeater, Salmon Pink Bird Eating Tarantula, Salmon Pink Tarantula, Brazilian Pink Haired Birdeater, and Brazilian Pink Haired Bird Eating Tarantula.

Brazilian Red and White Tarantula (Lasiodora cristata)

The Brazilian Red and White Tarantula is a large and colorful terrestrial species. It is a relatively new species in the United States, they started becoming mainstream between 1998 and 2000. Today, the Brazilian Red and White Tarantula is being bred pretty regularly, and it is enjoying a life of fame and high demand. The Brazilian Red and White Tarantula is not to be confused with other Brazilian black and white beauties such as the Brazilian Whiteknee Tarantula (Acanthoscurria geniculata), and the Brazilian Black and White Tarantula (Brazilopelma colloratvillosum). The photo to the left shows a possibly gravid adult female. Like any possibly gravid tarantula, if she molts, she will regain her pristine beauty, but she will not produce an eggsac. If she doesn't molt, she might not look her best, but she may bring over 1,000 new Brazilian Red and White Tarantulas into the hobby! This species is known to produce very small, almost tiny spiderlings, but with such a large number of babies, you can't blame them! This spider was formerly in the genus Vitalius, but it was transferred to Lasiodora in 2001. This species is even more beautiful than the specimen shown to the left, and if breeders keep up their steady pace, the Brazilian Red and White Tarantula is sure to be a regular in the hobby.

Range	Found throughout the rainforests of eastern Brazil.
Type	Terrestrial, but will burrow to some extent.
Diet	Spiderlings eat flightless fruit flies, pinhead crickets, and other small insects. Adults eat crickets, other large insects, and small vertebrates.
Full Grown Size	7 to 8 inches.
Growth	Medium speed.
Temperature	75 to 80° F.
Humidity	75 to 80%.
Temperament	Semi-aggressive and nervous.
Housing	Babies can live in a clear plastic deli-container with air holes. Adults can live in a 10 to 15-gallon tank. Floor space is more important than height.
Substrate	3 to 5 inches of peat moss.
Decor	No decorations are really needed, but you can add a log, or cork bark.
Other Names	Brazilian Striped Red Rump Tarantula, and White Striped Birdeater.

Thailand Black Tarantula (Haplopelma minax)

The Thailand Black Tarantula is a fast and very aggressive tarantula species. Thailand Black Tarantulas have been regarded to as "evil", "ferocious", and "wicked" by many experienced hobbyists, and trust me from first-hand experience, those are words of wisdom! These tarantulas aren't very colorful or rare, but they still make good challenges for tarantula collectors! Thailand Black Tarantulas can and will make deep burrows. Many Thailand Black Tarantulas that are imported from southeast Asia have parasites which has led to death in many spiders. That is one reason why you should buy a captive-bred tarantula over a wild-caught specimen. Thailand Black Tarantulas are on the less expensive side, when it comes to Asian tarantulas. If you are a hobbyist, and you think you can handle an "evil" tarantula, the Thailand Black Tarantula is a good species for you!

Range	Tropical forests of Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand.
Type	Burrowing.
Diet	Spiderlings eat pinhead crickets, and other small insects. Adults eat crickets, and other large insects.
Full Grown Size	4 to 4.5 inches.
Growth	Fast speed.
Temperature	80 to 90° F.
Humidity	78 to 82%. All tarantulas that have at least a 3" legspan may drink from a shallow, wide water dish.
Temperament	Aggressive and nervous.
Housing	Spiderlings can live in a clear plastic deli-container with air holes. Adults can live in a 5 to 10-gallon tank. Floor space is as important as height.
Substrate	5 to 6 inches of peat moss, or potting soil.
Decor	No decorations are really needed. Moss can be added for floor cover, but leave some areas open for burrowing in the substrate.
Other Names	Thai Black Tarantula, and Asian Bird Eating Spider.

Cobalt Blue Tarantula (Haplopelma lividum)

The Cobalt Blue Tarantula is one of the more beautiful, yet one of the more aggressive species of tarantula. The Cobalt Blue Tarantula looks almost black at a glance, but upon closer inspection, with certain lighting, this species shows a bright blue overall color! These tarantulas are very popular, but aren't good for beginners. Cobalt Blue Tarantulas are extremely aggressive and fast. Even the spiderlings of this species have been known to show aggression! The Cobalt Blue Tarantula is uncommon in the wild, but is becoming more and more familiar in captivity. These tarantulas spin large webs even though they do spend most of their time in their burrow if given the opportunity. The Cobalt Blue Tarantula is an amazing tarantula for anybody who dares to keep it!

Range	Tropical forests of Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
Type	Burrowing.
Diet	Spiderlings eat pinhead crickets, and other small insects. Adults eat crickets, and other large insects.
Full Grown Size	4 to 5 inches.
Growth	Fast speed.
Temperature	80 to 90° F.
Humidity	78 to 82%. All tarantulas that have at least a 3" legspan may drink from a shallow, wide water dish.
Temperament	Aggressive and nervous.
Housing	Spiderlings can live in a clear plastic deli-container with air holes. Adults can live in a 10-gallon tank. Floor space is as important as height.
Substrate	5 to 6 inches of peat moss, or potting soil.
Decor	No decorations are really needed. Moss can be added for floor cover, but leave some areas open for burrowing in the substrate.
Other Names	N/A.

Chilean Rose Tarantula (Grammostola rosea)

The Chilean Rose Tarantula is one of the most commonly imported tarantulas in the trade today. This species of tarantula is a combination of being fairly large, hardy and docile. The Chilean Rose Tarantula can be found in almost any pet store, and can be found in two different color phases. One of the color phases of the Chilean Rose Tarantula is a tan to brown overall color with pink hairs and a pink carapace, while the other is a tarantula with red hairs all over it's body. The photo to the left shows the brown and pink phase. These used to be classified under two different species, but they are now both known as Chilean Rose Tarantulas. There are many pet stores that carry Chilean Rose Tarantulas, although they may be under different names. Some of these names are listed below. The Chilean Rose Tarantula is the ultimate starter species, and should be considered for anybody who wants to dive into the hobby.

Range	Bolivia, Northern Chile, and Argentina, found in many habitats, mostly deserts and scrubland.
Type	Terrestrial.
Diet	Spiderlings eat pinhead crickets, and other small insects. Adults eat crickets, other large insects, and an occasional pinkie mouse.
Full Grown Size	4.5 to 5.5 inches.
Growth	Slow speed.
Temperature	70 to 85° F.
Humidity	75 to 80%. All tarantulas that have at least a 3" legspan may drink from a shallow, wide water dish.
Temperament	Docile and calm.
Housing	Spiderlings can live in a clear plastic deli-container with air holes. Adults can live in a 5 or 10-gallon tank. Floor space is more important than height.
Substrate	2 to 3 inches of peat moss, or potting soil.
Decor	No decorations are really needed, but you can add a log, or cork bark.
Other Names	Chilean Rose Haired Tarantula, Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula, Chilean Common Tarantula, Chilean Fire Tarantula, Chilean Fire Rose Tarantula, and Chilean Flame Tarantula.

Brazilian Black Tarantula (Grammostola pulchra)

The Brazilian Black Tarantula has often been called the "best pet tarantula", with good reason. Brazilian Black Tarantulas are very docile, impressive, and hence the name, jet black tarantulas. They are in the same genus as the Chilean Rose Tarantula (Grammostola rosea), but are slightly larger and more active than Chilean Rose Tarantulas. The Brazilian Black Tarantula, like the Chilean Rose Tarantula, has been known to go on fasts lasting several months. They are very popular tarantulas, and you may find yourself paying a high price for even a spiderling, but remember that it is worth it. Females of this species have been known to live for over 20 years! The Brazilian Black Tarantula is a great tarantula for the classroom, for zoo displays, and for any collector.

Range	Grassland areas of Brazil and Uruguay.
Type	Terrestrial.
Diet	Spiderlings eat pinhead crickets, and other small insects. Adults eat crickets, other large insects, small lizards, pinkie mice, and an occasional fuzzy mouse.
Full Grown Size	5 to 6 inches.
Growth	Slow speed.
Temperature	75 to 85° F.
Humidity	75 to 80%. All tarantulas that have at least a 3" legspan may drink from a shallow, wide water dish.
Temperament	Docile and calm.
Housing	Spiderlings can live in a clear plastic deli-container with air holes. Adults can live in a 10-gallon tank. Floor space is more important than height.
Substrate	3 to 5 inches of peat moss, or potting soil.
Decor	No decorations are really needed, but you can add a log, or cork bark.
Other Names	N/A.

Pink Zebra Beauty Tarantula (Eupalastrus campestratus)

The Pink Zebra Beauty Tarantula is a relatively new and very exciting species to the market. This pretty big, extremely docile tarantula is a great beginners' species and actually makes a good "pet bug". Pink Zebra Beauty Tarantulas are not common sights in pet shops, but you can probably find one by contacting the major dealers. In addition to looking good and being calm, part of the Pink Zebra Beauty Tarantulas' appeal is its' hardiness. In other words, they usually don't die for any reason until they reach their maximum lifespan. When this species was originally imported, it came in small numbers, and it was thought to be Eupalastrus tenuitarsus. Now breeders have produced captive-bred spiderlings of this species, and the Pink Zebra Beauty Tarantula is beginning to enter the mainstream as a regular appearance on price lists. For good reason, tarantula keepers are calling the Pink Zebra Beauty Tarantula one of the best beginner species in the hobby!

Range	Grasslands and savannahs of Paraguay.
Type	Burrowing.
Diet	Spiderlings eat pinhead crickets, and other small insects. Adults eat crickets, other large insects, and an occasional pinkie mouse.
Full Grown Size	5 to 6 inches.
Growth	Slow speed.
Temperature	75 to 80° F.
Humidity	65 to 75%.
Temperament	Docile and calm.
Housing	Babies can live in a clear plastic deli-container with air holes. Adults can live in a 5 to 10-gallon tank. Floor space is more important than height.
Substrate	3 to 5 inches of peat moss, or potting soil.
Decor	No decorations are really needed, but you can add a log, or cork bark.
Other Names	Paraguayan Pink Zebra Beauty Tarantula.

Malaysian Earth Tiger Tarantula (Cyriopagopus thorelli)

The Malaysian Earth Tiger Tarantula is a very rare and beautiful Asian tarantula. They grow to a fairly large size, and are a gem to any serious hobbyist! The Malaysian Earth Tiger Tarantula is a fast and aggressive species, like many other tarantulas from Asia, and will not tolerate you getting near it. They will face anybody, or anything, even if they are grossly outsized! The Malaysian Earth Tiger Tarantula can be hard to establish in captivity, because many wild-caught tarantulas are full of parasites. That is why captive-bred spiders should be bought over wild-caught spiders. The first captive breeding of this species in the US, and possibly the world, was in April 2000. It was a cooperative effort between Frank Somma and his partner Tommy. The eggsac was dropped in June of the same year, and it contained some 200 spiderlings. This tarantula is still not common enough for someone to easily obtain a captive-bred Malaysian Earth Tiger Tarantula. Until then, the Malaysian Earth Tiger Tarantula will remain to be a rare, beautiful, and challenging species for collectors to want, hope, and wait for.

Range	Tropical rainforests of peninsular Malaysia.
Type	Arboreal and opportunistic, found in holes in trees and cracks in rock faces, also will make use of man-made holes and buildings, but will burrow to some extent in captivity. Will use substrate and other tank contents to construct hiding places very much like Poecilotheria species.
Diet	Spiderlings eat pinhead crickets, and other small insects. Adults eat crickets, other large insects, small lizards, and an occasional pinkie mouse.
Full Grown Size	6 to 9 inches, although males have been seen with over 10" legspans.
Growth	Medium speed.
Temperature	75 to 90° F.
Humidity	78 to 82%. All tarantulas that have at least a 3" legspan may drink from a shallow, wide water dish. Spray regularly.
Temperament	Aggressive and nervous.
Housing	Spiderlings can live in a clear plastic deli-container with air holes. Adults can live in a 5 to 10-gallon tank. Floor space is more important than height.
Substrate	4 to 5 inches of peat moss, or potting soil.
Decor	Live plants, driftwood, cork bark, etc. make good hiding places. Moss can be added for floor cover. Also, large-diameter bamboo.
Other Names	Asian Chevron Tarantula.

King Baboon Tarantula (Citharischius crawshayi)

The King Baboon Tarantula is one of the most prized tarantulas in the hobby. These impressive tarantulas are rusty red to bright brown and reach a massive body size! The photo to the left shows an adult female next to a US 25 cent piece. Although the King Baboon Tarantula has many good features, it is an extremely aggressive species, and should be owned by experienced keepers only. These tarantulas will stand up on their hind legs in a defensive position, and even make a hissing noise at the first sign of danger, which can be almost anything to them such as fingers, a pair of tongs, etc. King Baboon Tarantulas have been known to stay in their burrows for months at a time, therefore they don't make the best display tarantulas. In the wild, they are found in deep burrows at the base of acadia bushes. The venom from King Baboon Tarantulas are said to be more toxic than most other tarantulas, which makes it more qualified to be kept by experienced hobbyists, and not beginners. Besides that, the King Baboon Tarantula makes a great tarantula for the serious collector!

Range	Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in dry acadia scrublands.
Type	Burrowing.
Diet	Spiderlings eat pinhead crickets, and other small insects. Adults eat crickets, other large insects, pinkie mice, and an occasional fuzzy mouse.
Full Grown Size	6.5 to 9 inches.
Growth	Slow speed.
Temperature	75 to 90° F.
Humidity	75 to 80%. All tarantulas that have at least a 3" legspan may drink from a shallow, wide water dish.
Temperament	Aggressive and nervous.
Housing	Spiderlings can live in a clear plastic deli-container with air holes. Adults can live in a 10 to 20-gallon tank. Floor space is as important as height.
Substrate	6 to 8 inches of peat moss, or potting soil.
Decor	No decorations are really needed, but you can add a log, or cork bark.
Other Names	N/A.

Greenbottle Blue Tarantula (Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens)

The Greenbottle Blue Tarantula is one of the most beautiful tarantula species in the world. With metallic blue legs, a blue-green carapace, and a vibrantly orange abdomen, few other species can compete in the category of coloration. The genus name Chromatopelma actually derives from the Greek word "chroma", meaning "color". It is still a mystery why this species possesses such remarkable coloration, although bright markings do act as a warning for would-be predators in other venues of the animal kingdom. The Greenbottle Blue Tarantula is a resilient and easy-to-keep species in captivity. They can tolerate a wider temperature range and lower humidity levels than most South American species. There is still some confusion amongst tarantula keepers though as to whether this species should be kept in an arboreal or terrestrial set-up; with some hobbyists even calling them "semi-arboreal" due to the extensive webbing that they apply both vertically and horizontally. The range of the Greenbottle Blue Tarantula is believed to be limited to dry areas in northern Venezuela. In the spring of 2002, arachnologist Rick C. West traveled to Venezuela's Paraguaná Peninsula in search of these puzzling creatures. He found large webs of this species constructed near vegetation on sandy soil. Therefore, the reason Greenbottle Blue Tarantulas create such broad webs may be to secure a grip on their unstable and open habitat of shrubs and sand dunes. Needless to say; they are not arboreal. The Greenbottle Blue Tarantula is an intriguing, stunning, and wonderful species for any invertebrate enthusiast!

Range	Desert and scrubland habitat of northern Venezuela.
Type	Terrestrial.
Diet	Spiderlings eat pinhead crickets, and other small insects. Adults eat crickets, and other large insects.
Full Grown Size	4 to 4.5 inches.
Growth	Medium speed.
Temperature	70 to 85° F.
Humidity	65 to 75%. All tarantulas that have at least a 3" legspan may drink from a shallow, wide water dish.
Temperament	Semi-docile and nervous.
Housing	Spiderlings can live in a clear plastic deli-container with air holes. Adults can live in a 5 to 10-gallon tank. Floor space is more important than height.
Substrate	2 to 3 inches of peat moss, or potting soil. Sand may be mixed into the substrate.
Decor	Logs, driftwood, cork bark, etc. make good hiding places and provide a base for the web.
Other Names	Venezuelan Greenbottle Blue Tarantula, and Orange Bottlebrush Tarantula.

Brazilian Black and White Tarantula (Brazilopelma colloratvillosum)

The Brazilian Black and White Tarantula is a very rare, expensive, and desirable tarantula species! It is another beautiful black and white striped tarantula, like the Brazilian Whiteknee Tarantula (Acanthoscurria geniculata), but with broader strips of white hairs. This tarantula species can get fairly large too, adding to it's appeal. The Brazilian Black and White Tarantula is not usually seen for sale in the United States, but can be found easier in Europe. These tarantulas aren't too aggressive, but won't hesitate to flick urticating hairs if disturbed. Brazilian Black and White Tarantulas can be great display tarantulas because they are so hard to obtain, along with the beauty they possess. If you are looking for a great rare tarantula for your collection, keep this species in mind, and keep looking!

Range	Savannah, grassland, and pampas areas of Brazil.
Type	Terrestrial.
Diet	Spiderlings eat pinhead crickets and other small insects. Adults eat crickets, other large insects, small lizards, pinkie mice, and an occasional fuzzy mouse.
Full Grown Size	6.5 to 8 inches.
Growth	Medium speed.
Temperature	80 to 85° F.
Humidity	75 to 80%. All tarantulas that have at least a 3" legspan may drink from a shallow, wide water dish.
Temperament	Semi-docile and calm.
Housing	Babies can live in a clear plastic deli-container with air holes. Adults can live in a 10 to 15-gallon tank. Floor space is more important than height.
Substrate	3 to 4 inches of peat moss, or potting soil.
Decor	Logs, driftwood, cork bark, etc. make good hiding places. Moss can be added for floor cover.
Other Names	Brazilian Giant Black and White Tarantula.