Davus pentaloris

🔤 Taxonomy

Davus pentaloris is the currently accepted scientific name.

English common names used in the hobby:

• Guatemalan tiger rump tarantula
• Tiger rump tarantula

📌 Description

Davus pentaloris is a small to medium terrestrial New World tarantula from Central America, known for its contrasting striped pattern and active feeding behavior. It is popular with keepers who want a smaller species that still shows interesting webbing, digging, and hunting behavior.

Adult size is usually about 4-5 cm body length and about 10-12 cm legspan, with females typically heavier than mature males.

Like other New World tarantulas, it can kick urticating hairs when stressed, but it is generally kept as a display species rather than a handling animal.

🌍 Distribution

Davus pentaloris is native to Central America, especially Mexico, Guatemala and nearby Pacific-slope regions. In the wild it is associated with seasonal dry forest, scrub, leaf litter and shallow terrestrial retreats.

For captive care, the useful lesson from this distribution is:

• a low terrestrial enclosure with more floor space than height
• enough substrate for digging or reshaping a retreat
• dry to moderately dry surface conditions with a water dish available
• strong ventilation and stable warm room temperatures
• fall prevention, because heavy terrestrial tarantulas are easily injured

⚖️ Legal status

Davus pentaloris is not currently listed in the CITES Appendices. No specific current listing for this species is typically applied in Annexes A-D of the EU wildlife trade regulations.

The species is not relevant to the Bern Convention because it is not native to Europe. Local rules on import, sale, transport, exhibition, and breeding may still apply, so proof of legal origin is advisable.

🤌 Husbandry

Davus pentaloris should be housed alone. A practical enclosure can be more compact than for giant tarantulas, but it should still provide depth for substrate and a secure retreat.

Slings and juveniles should start in small, secure containers, often around 250 ml for small slings, then move through intermediate enclosures as they grow. Upgrade gradually so the spider can find prey easily and maintain stable conditions.

Good basic husbandry includes:

• Adequate substrate depth
• A hide or starter burrow
• Good ventilation
• A shallow water dish
• A calm, low-disturbance setup

💡 Lighting

No special lighting is required. A normal room day-night cycle is enough.

🌡 Heating and temperature

This species does well at warm room temperatures:

• Daytime: around 23-27°C
• Night: slight drop acceptable

Stable warmth is more useful than intense heating.

💧 Humidity and water

Davus pentaloris usually does best with moderate humidity rather than very dry conditions. Part of the substrate can stay slightly more moist, while the enclosure still needs good airflow.

Fresh water should always be available.

🌿 Enclosure and decoration

Use a substrate that allows digging and holds shape, such as coco fiber, unfertilized soil, or mixed terrestrial substrates. A small hide, leaf litter, cork bark, and light web anchor points work well.

The enclosure does not need height, but it does need security and stability.

🪳 Feeding

Davus pentaloris is insectivorous. Suitable prey includes:

• Small crickets
• Roach nymphs
• Small locusts where available
• Mealworms only in moderation

Slings are fed every 3-5 days; juveniles once or twice weekly. Adults usually do well every 7-10 days depending on prey size and body condition.

🩺 Common problems

Common problems include dehydration, stale air, substrate that is kept either too dry or too wet, and stress from too much disturbance.

Warning signs include a shriveled abdomen, poor feeding response in a declining animal, and unsuccessful molts.

📌 Conclusion

Davus pentaloris is an attractive smaller terrestrial tarantula with good display value and interesting behavior. A secure enclosure, moderate humidity, suitable substrate, fresh water, and steady warm conditions are the basics of good care.

📚 Sources and further reading

• CITES Appendices and Species+ trade database, checked April 2026
• EU wildlife trade regulations and annex references, checked April 2026
• GBIF species backbone and occurrence data for taxonomy and distribution context
• IUCN Red List and specialist husbandry references where applicable