Tarantulas
Kept as species rather than morphs — colour comes from the species itself. Slings are inexpensive, adults are long-lived, and females of some species live 20+ years.
Care basics
- Match the setup to the species: terrestrial species need floor space and deep substrate, arboreal species need height and a cork bark tube.
- Room temperature 72–80°F; a shallow water dish supplies all the humidity most species need.
- Feed appropriately sized insects weekly for juveniles, every 1–2 weeks for adults; never feed during a moult.
Traits & morphs
Open genetic calculatorBrachypelma hamorii
polygenicMexican Red Knee — black legs banded with orange; a calm, classic beginner species.
Line-bred — many small genes, no simple odds.
Grammostola pulchripes
polygenicChaco Golden Knee — large, docile, with gold-striped legs.
Line-bred — many small genes, no simple odds.
Tliltocatl albopilosus
polygenicCurly Hair — bronze, densely bristled and very forgiving to keep.
Line-bred — many small genes, no simple odds.
Caribena versicolor
polygenicAntilles Pinktoe — arboreal, metallic blue as a sling, green-and-pink as an adult.
Line-bred — many small genes, no simple odds.
Needs cross-ventilation; stagnant humid air kills them.
Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens
polygenicGreen Bottle Blue — blue legs, orange abdomen; a heavy webber.
Line-bred — many small genes, no simple odds.
Psalmopoeus irminia
polygenicVenezuelan Suntiger — arboreal, black with orange leg chevrons.
Line-bred — many small genes, no simple odds.
Fast and defensive; not a beginner species.