Pumpkin
Haplopus sp. Colombia (Pumpkin Patch)
The latest addition arrived at the end of August 2019. I discovered this species quite recently and hoped to purchase one at my last visit to my nearest exotic pet store, but sadly they had sold their specimens already. I managed to find a local breeder with some spiderlings available and obtained this tiny little one, posted safely in a small plastic vial.
This is another terrestrial species, which is the case with most of my tarantulas. In the wild, this one burrows in the Pacific regions of Colombia, enjoying a warm, humid environment. It creates a lot of webbing, and stays relatively small at a maximum size of about 4 inches.
Blackberry
Grammostola pulchra (Brazilian Black)
This one joined the family by accident, when I visited an exotic pet store looking for spider supplies and couldn’t resist looking at the spider stock. I had one of these some years ago and have wanted to get another ever since. It’s not much to look at as a youngster, but they grow into beautiful velvety jet black spiders.
They’re a terrestrial species, very docile and don’t seem to mind being handled. They’re not fast movers and have chunky, stocky bodies when mature. Their maximum size is about 6 inches leg span and they will burrow or use existing branches or foliage to hide under. In the wild they can be found in Brazil and north Uruguay.
Orinoco
Psalmopoeus irminia (Venezuelan Suntiger)
I chose this spider to add to my collection by chance. My two oldest pets, Apache (Aphonopelma new river species) and Cherokee (Grammostola rosea) died in June and July 2019 of old age, leaving my spider collection rather depleted. I searched for another G. rosea to begin with, without success. Then while looking on a spider breeder’s website, I spotted the Suntiger and decided to buy a single spiderling.
After just three days in my care, Orinoco, who is not quite 2 inches in leg diameter, had settled in well to his/her new home and gobbled an entire locust almost the size of himself. Clearly a happy little spider so far.
This is an arboreal species. All of my other pets are terrestrial spiders, although I have kept an arboreal in the past. This one is incredibly fast and can scamper up the side of his tank or one of the branches decorating it faster than you could blink!
Juanita
Brachypelma hamorii (Mexican Red Knee)
Juanita was another adoptee from the same friend as Magenta. I’d always wanted one of these spiders, since I first started reading about them and discovered that when I seriously wanted to add one to my spider family, they were few and far between. I was lucky to be able to give this fully grown girl a home. She, too, will shortly be moving to more upmarket accommodation from her existing faunarium.
This tarantula is native to the Pacific coast of Mexico, living in burrows in the forests and tall grassy areas. It needs a certain amount of humidity, but a water dish and a light misting of part of the substrate is enough. This is one of the most long-lived tarantulas and can live to 25 years. It can grow to 5 or 6 inches in leg span and is one of the most recognised species, with its attractive colouring.
Magenta
Lasiodora parahybana (Brazilian Salmon-Pink Birdeater)
I adopted Magenta in May 2019 from a friend who needed to downsize their tarantula collection. He had raised her from a microscopic spiderling and she was fully grown at almost 10 inches leg diameter when I took her in. She looks plain black in the picture, but her body is covered in sparse pink hairs. She’s currently housed in an extra-large faunarium, but again, will be rehoused shortly into “posher” accommodation. Watch my blog feed for an update.
Despite the somewhat skittish nature of this spider, I haven’t had much difficulty in handling her. (I wouldn’t recommend this, bearing in mind the enormous size of this spider and the fact that its fangs are at least an inch long). But I have found that a confident approach with this one in particular resulted in not much trouble at all. She even seems to like getting out for a stroll on me every so often. I take care to sit on the floor if I’m handling her as she’s large and heavy – even a small fall could be catastrophic. When she comes out for exercise, the cat is evicted from the house, the dog is shut in the kitchen, and my partner keeps as much distance as he can – “Do not bring that near me!” Then Magenta is allowed to wander around on a small closed off area of floor and clamber on my legs or hands.
This species of tarantula is considered to be the third largest in the world, able to reach a leg-span of up to 10 inches. My girl is about 9 inches, but the females have slightly shorter legs than males. This spider originates from the Atlantic forest region of Brazil, so likes warmth and humidity.
Charlotte
Brachypelma vagans (Mexican Red Rump)
I bought Charlotte the same day as Incy Wincy. The picture is quite old now. She’s grown quite a bit and has a lovely dark red rump. She’s currently in a medium-sized faunarium, but will shortly be moving to her permanent home in the form of a custom-made acrylic box.
I’ve very fond of the Brachypelma species despite their tendency to flick hair. Really, the albopilosum is the only one my skin seems to have an issue with. The vagans and the hamorii I also have, I seem to be able to handle without a problem.
This species mainly lives around the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexican and in Central America. It can grow to 5 or 6 inches leg span and is reasonably docile. This is a burrowing spider and likes a humid, tropical environment.
Incy Wincy
Acanthoscurria geniculata (Brazilian Giant White Knee)
Incy is my second Giant White Knee. Some years ago I had another, but sadly it died during an unsuccessful moult when it was quite a large size.
Incy joined my collection around mid-2017 as a large spiderling and is growing well. I haven’t sexed this one yet either, but am waiting for the next moult to do so. This spider is approaching 4 inches in leg diameter, but has a long way to go as it can reach a 10 inch leg span.
Housing for this spider is currently a large faunarium with coir and sphagnum moss, a plant pot hide and water dish. It will move to its permanent home in the form of an Exo Terra glass terrarium suitable for its adult size.
The Giant White Knee originates from the Brazilian rain forest, so likes high humidity. It’s an exceptionally greedy spider and seems to think everything that moves is food – including your thumb if you’re not careful. I haven’t found it aggressive, as long as it’s well fed, but it can be a bit skittish when handled.
Cadbury
Brachypelma albopilosum (Honduran Curly Hair)
Cadbury was my second acquired pet in 2011 as a spiderling. She’s now fully grown and still with us. This was the species I had originally been interested in starting with and with careful research and lots of panicking in the e arly stages, I was delighted and relieved to have raised a baby spider without mishap. There were mishaps later, but not with Cadbury. She got her name from the Curly Wurly chocolate bar made by Cadbury. Curly wurly… curly hair… see how my mind works? She’s a beautiful fluffy spider, and very docile, but unfortunately I have to keep my distance as I’m allergic to her hair!
This spider grows to a similar size to most of the other Brachypelma species – around 5 – 6 inches leg span. It’s natural habitat is the warm and humid Atlantic side of Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.
