Tarantulas on Herpeton Academy

Grammostola pulchra

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Grammostola pulchra is the Brazilian black tarantula. The name has been used loosely in the hobby, so exact identity and breeder records matter when buying or breeding.

English common names used in the hobby:

Brazilian black tarantula

📌 Description

Grammostola pulchra is a New World tarantula kept mainly as a display invertebrate. Adult size is usually 6-7 cm body, 15-18 cm legspan, and lifespan is females 15-25+ years; males shorter after maturity. It should not be handled routinely. Even species considered calm can bolt, fall, bite, or flick urticating hairs when stressed. The keeper’s job is to provide a secure enclosure, stable moisture gradient, safe fall height, and enough privacy for normal feeding and molting.

Megaphobema robustum

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Megaphobema robustum is usually sold as the Colombian giant redleg. It is distinctive, but imported or old-stock animals should still be labeled with source and date.

English common names used in the hobby:

Colombian giant redleg
Colombian giant tarantula

📌 Description

Megaphobema robustum is a New World tarantula kept mainly as a display invertebrate. Adult size is usually 7-9 cm body, 18-20 cm legspan, and lifespan is females 12-20 years; males shorter after maturity. It should not be handled routinely. Even species considered calm can bolt, fall, bite, or flick urticating hairs when stressed. The keeper’s job is to provide a secure enclosure, stable moisture gradient, safe fall height, and enough privacy for normal feeding and molting.

Phormictopus auratus

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Phormictopus auratus is the Cuban bronze tarantula. Keep it separate from other Phormictopus species in records and breeding projects.

English common names used in the hobby:

Cuban bronze tarantula
Cuban gold tarantula

📌 Description

Phormictopus auratus is a New World tarantula kept mainly as a display invertebrate. Adult size is usually 6-7 cm body, 15-18 cm legspan, and lifespan is females 10-15+ years; males shorter after maturity. It should not be handled routinely. Even species considered calm can bolt, fall, bite, or flick urticating hairs when stressed. The keeper’s job is to provide a secure enclosure, stable moisture gradient, safe fall height, and enough privacy for normal feeding and molting.

Phormictopus cancerides

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Phormictopus cancerides is a large Caribbean tarantula. The genus contains several similar species, so precise labels are important in breeding and trade.

English common names used in the hobby:

Hispaniolan giant tarantula
Haitian brown tarantula

📌 Description

Phormictopus cancerides is a New World tarantula kept mainly as a display invertebrate. Adult size is usually 7-8 cm body, 18-20 cm legspan, and lifespan is females 10-15+ years; males shorter after maturity. It should not be handled routinely. Even species considered calm can bolt, fall, bite, or flick urticating hairs when stressed. The keeper’s job is to provide a secure enclosure, stable moisture gradient, safe fall height, and enough privacy for normal feeding and molting.

Theraphosa apophysis

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Theraphosa apophysis is the pinkfoot Goliath birdeater. It should be kept and bred separately from T. blondi and T. stirmi because trade confusion is common.

English common names used in the hobby:

Pinkfoot Goliath birdeater
Pinkfoot goliath tarantula

📌 Description

Theraphosa apophysis is a New World tarantula kept mainly as a display invertebrate. Adult size is usually 10-12 cm body, 25-30 cm legspan, and lifespan is females 12-20+ years; males shorter after maturity. It should not be handled routinely. Even species considered calm can bolt, fall, bite, or flick urticating hairs when stressed. The keeper’s job is to provide a secure enclosure, stable moisture gradient, safe fall height, and enough privacy for normal feeding and molting.

Theraphosa blondi

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Theraphosa blondi is the classic Goliath birdeater. Many hobby animals labeled blondi have historically been T. stirmi or uncertain Theraphosa, so do not breed uncertain stock.

English common names used in the hobby:

Goliath birdeater

📌 Description

Theraphosa blondi is a New World tarantula kept mainly as a display invertebrate. Adult size is usually 10-12 cm body, 25-30 cm legspan, and lifespan is females 12-20+ years; males shorter after maturity. It should not be handled routinely. Even species considered calm can bolt, fall, bite, or flick urticating hairs when stressed. The keeper’s job is to provide a secure enclosure, stable moisture gradient, safe fall height, and enough privacy for normal feeding and molting.

Theraphosa stirmi

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Theraphosa stirmi is one of the Goliath birdeaters. Trade animals have often been confused with T. blondi, so use clear labels and avoid mixing species in breeding projects.

English common names used in the hobby:

Burgundy Goliath birdeater
Goliath birdeater

📌 Description

Theraphosa stirmi is a New World tarantula kept mainly as a display invertebrate. Adult size is usually 10-12 cm body, 25-28 cm legspan, and lifespan is females 12-20+ years; males shorter after maturity. It should not be handled routinely. Even species considered calm can bolt, fall, bite, or flick urticating hairs when stressed. The keeper’s job is to provide a secure enclosure, stable moisture gradient, safe fall height, and enough privacy for normal feeding and molting.

Caribena versicolor

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Caribena versicolor is the currently accepted scientific name. In older literature and much of the hobby, the species was widely known as Avicularia versicolor.

The latest renames that hobbyists most often encounter are:

Avicularia versicolor -> Caribena versicolor (genus transfer, Mendoza & Francke 2017)

Older names and combinations associated with the species include:

Avicularia versicolor (Walckenaer, 1837)

This is a genus-level transfer rather than a change in the species identity; old Avicularia versicolor labels in captive-bred records usually refer to the same Martinique species.

Ceratogyrus darlingi

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Ceratogyrus darlingi is the currently accepted scientific name and is generally sold under that name in the hobby.

English common names used in the hobby:

Darling’s horned baboon tarantula
Rear-horned baboon tarantula

German common names used in the hobby:

Darings Hornvogelspinne

📌 Description

Ceratogyrus darlingi is an Old World African tarantula known for the horn-like projection on the carapace in larger specimens. It is a defensive display species with fast movement and medically significant venom, not a handling spider.

Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens is the currently accepted scientific name. In the hobby, the species is usually sold under the same scientific name rather than under a recently changed older combination.

English common names used in the hobby:

Green bottle blue tarantula
GBB tarantula

German common names used in the hobby:

Gruene Blaue Schmuckvogelspinne
Green-Bottle-Blue-Vogelspinne

📌 Description

Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens is a vividly colored New World tarantula known for its metallic blue legs, green carapace, and orange abdomen. It is one of the most visually striking species in the hobby and is also famous for heavy web production.

Cyriopagopus lividus

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Cyriopagopus lividus is the currently accepted scientific name. In older hobby material, the species was very widely encountered as Haplopelma lividum.

The latest rename that hobbyists most often encounter is:

Haplopelma lividum -> Cyriopagopus lividus (current accepted placement)

English common names used in the hobby:

Cobalt blue tarantula

German common names used in the hobby:

Kobaltblaue Vogelspinne

📌 Description

Cyriopagopus lividus is a famous Old World Asian tarantula known for deep cobalt-blue legs and a strongly defensive fossorial lifestyle. It is not a handling species and spends much of its time inside the burrow.

Grammostola pulchripes

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Grammostola pulchripes is the currently accepted scientific name. In older hobby use and older care material, the species was very widely listed as Grammostola aureostriata.

The latest rename that hobbyists most often encounter is:

Grammostola aureostriata -> Grammostola pulchripes (current accepted name in modern catalogs)

English common names used in the hobby:

Chaco golden knee tarantula
Golden knee tarantula

German common names used in the hobby:

Grammostola rosea

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Grammostola rosea is the currently accepted scientific name. In hobby use, the species has long been mixed up with Grammostola porteri, and older listings often do not clearly separate the two.

Older names and combinations associated with the species include:

Eurypelma rosea

English common names used in the hobby:

Chilean rose tarantula
Chile rose tarantula
Chilean rose hair tarantula

German common names used in the hobby:

Harpactira pulchripes

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Harpactira pulchripes is the currently accepted scientific name and is usually sold under that name in the hobby.

English common names used in the hobby:

Golden blue-legged baboon tarantula

German common names used in the hobby:

Goldblaue Baboon-Vogelspinne

📌 Description

Harpactira pulchripes is an Old World African tarantula valued for its golden carapace, dark body, and contrasting bluish legs. It is a fast, defensive display species rather than a handling animal.

Nhandu chromatus

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Nhandu chromatus is the currently accepted scientific name in the World Spider Catalog. The name has been unstable in recent hobby discussion because the species was transferred to Vitalius in 2023 and then transferred back to Nhandu in 2026.

The rename history that keepers are most likely to encounter is:

Nhandu chromatus Schmidt, 2004 (original description)
Nhandu chromatus -> Vitalius chromatus (temporary genus transfer, Bertani 2023)
Vitalius chromatus -> Nhandu chromatus (returned to Nhandu, Sherwood et al. 2026)

Older catalog entries also list earlier material as misidentified Vitalius cristatus before Schmidt described Nhandu chromatus. For care and buying records, treat labels such as “Vitalius chromatus” as recent synonyms for the same animal, but be cautious with vague trade names because Nhandu and related Brazilian theraphosids are often confused.

Psalmopoeus irminia

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Psalmopoeus irminia is the currently accepted scientific name. In the hobby, the species is usually sold under the same name rather than under a recently changed older combination.

English common names used in the hobby:

Venezuelan sun tiger
Sun tiger tarantula

German common names used in the hobby:

Venezuela-Sonnentiger
Sonnentiger-Vogelspinne

📌 Description

Psalmopoeus irminia is a fast, striking arboreal New World tarantula known for its dark body, orange leg markings, and bold webbed retreats. It is one of the most popular display species for keepers who want a more dramatic arboreal tarantula without moving into Old World genera.

Acanthoscurria geniculata

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Acanthoscurria geniculata is the currently accepted scientific name. Older combinations associated with the species include:

Mygale geniculata
Scurria geniculata

English common names used in the hobby:

Brazilian whiteknee tarantula
Giant white knee tarantula

📌 Description

Acanthoscurria geniculata is a large terrestrial New World tarantula from Brazil, recognized by its dark body and bold white banding on the legs. It is one of the most popular large display tarantulas because it grows to an impressive size, feeds strongly, and is usually visible more often than many burrowing species.

Brachypelma albiceps

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Brachypelma albiceps is the currently accepted scientific name. Older combinations associated with the species include:

Brachypelmides ruhnaui
Aphonopelma albiceps

English common names used in the hobby:

Mexican golden red rump tarantula
Golden redrump tarantula

📌 Description

Brachypelma albiceps is a terrestrial New World tarantula from Mexico, known for its pale golden carapace and contrasting reddish abdomen. It is a sturdy display species that appeals to keepers who like classic Mexican tarantulas with calm, deliberate movement and a dry terrestrial setup.

Brachypelma auratum

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Brachypelma auratum is the currently accepted scientific name. In the hobby, the species is best known by its striking flame-like knee markings.

English common names used in the hobby:

Mexican flame knee tarantula
Flame knee tarantula

📌 Description

Brachypelma auratum is a terrestrial New World tarantula from Mexico, valued for its dark body and bright orange-red markings around the leg joints. It is one of the more elegant Mexican tarantulas and is often chosen by keepers who want a species with classic Brachypelma care but especially vivid contrast.

Brachypelma boehmei

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Brachypelma boehmei is the currently accepted scientific name.

English common names used in the hobby:

Mexican fireleg tarantula
Mexican rustleg tarantula

📌 Description

Brachypelma boehmei is a terrestrial New World tarantula from Mexico, famous for its dark body and vivid orange-red leg coloration. It is one of the most striking Brachypelma species in the hobby and is often chosen for display value alone.

Brachypelma emilia

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Older names and combinations associated with Brachypelma emilia include:

Mygale emilia (White, 1856)
Eurypelma emilia (White, 1856)
Brachypelma aemilia (White, 1856)
Euathlus emilia (White, 1856)

English common names used in the hobby:

Mexican redleg tarantula
Mexican painted redleg

English common names:

Mexican redleg
Mexican redleg tarantula
Mexican painted redleg

German common names used in the hobby:

Brachypelma hamorii

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Brachypelma hamorii is the currently accepted scientific name. In the hobby, this species was long confused with or sold as Brachypelma smithi, so accurate identification is still important.

English common names used in the hobby:

Mexican orange knee tarantula
Mexican red knee tarantula

📌 Description

Brachypelma hamorii is a terrestrial New World tarantula from Mexico and one of the best-known beginner-friendly display species in the hobby. It is admired for its dark body, warm orange markings on the knees, and generally calm presence.

Brachypelma klaasi

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Brachypelma klaasi is the currently accepted scientific name. Older combinations associated with the species include:

Brachypelmides klaasi

English common names used in the hobby:

Mexican pink tarantula
Pink beauty tarantula

📌 Description

Brachypelma klaasi is a terrestrial New World tarantula from Mexico, recognized for its dark body and soft pinkish tones on the carapace and leg setae. It is a large, handsome display species for keepers who appreciate heavier terrestrial tarantulas.

Brachypelma smithi

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Brachypelma smithi is the currently accepted scientific name. In older hobby use, this species was often known as Brachypelma annitha, and it has also often been confused with Brachypelma hamorii, so exact identification still matters.

Older names associated with the species include:

Brachypelma annitha

English common names used in the hobby:

Mexican red knee tarantula
Smith’s red knee tarantula

📌 Description

Brachypelma smithi is a terrestrial New World tarantula from Mexico and one of the most famous tarantulas in the hobby. It is known for its dark body and bright reddish-orange knee markings.

Davus pentaloris

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 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.

Lasiodora parahybana

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Lasiodora parahybana is the currently accepted scientific name.

English common names used in the hobby:

Brazilian salmon pink birdeater
Salmon pink birdeater

📌 Description

Lasiodora parahybana is a very large terrestrial New World tarantula from Brazil, famous for its fast growth, heavy body, and pinkish hairs over a dark base color. It is one of the largest tarantulas commonly kept in captivity and is often chosen by keepers who want an impressive display animal with strong feeding behavior.

Poecilotheria fasciata

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Poecilotheria fasciata is the currently accepted scientific name. The species was described by Latreille in 1804, and Tarantupedia lists the type locality simply as Ceylon.

English common names used in the hobby:

Sri Lankan ornamental tarantula

German common names used in the hobby:

Sri-Lanka-Schmuckvogelspinne

📌 Description

Poecilotheria fasciata is an arboreal Old World tarantula from Sri Lanka, recognized for its slender build, banded pattern, and quick movement. It is one of the classic ornamental tarantulas and is kept mainly for its striking appearance and elegant arboreal behavior.

Poecilotheria formosa

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Poecilotheria formosa is the currently accepted scientific name. The species was described by Pocock in 1899, and Tarantupedia lists the type locality as Kadiampatti and Mullapuram in the Salem District Sheveroy Hills.

English common names used in the hobby:

Salem ornamental tarantula

German common names used in the hobby:

Schmuckvogelspinne aus Salem

📌 Description

Poecilotheria formosa is an arboreal Old World tarantula from India, known for its dark body, high-contrast patterning, and elegant posture. It is a sought-after ornamental species for keepers who appreciate slender arboreal spiders with bold markings.

Poecilotheria hanumavilasumica

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Poecilotheria hanumavilasumica is the currently accepted scientific name. Smith described the species in 2004, and later literature lists Rameshwaram Island, India, as the type locality.

English common names used in the hobby:

Rameshwaram ornamental tarantula

German common names used in the hobby:

Rameshwaram-Schmuckvogelspinne

📌 Description

Poecilotheria hanumavilasumica is an arboreal Old World tarantula from India, known for its striking ornamental pattern and localized distribution. It is one of the more specialized Poecilotheria species in collections and is valued for both beauty and rarity.

Poecilotheria metallica

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Poecilotheria metallica is the currently accepted scientific name. The species was described by Pocock in 1899, and Tarantupedia lists the type locality as near Gooty, 257 miles from Madras.

English common names used in the hobby:

Gooty sapphire ornamental tarantula

German common names used in the hobby:

Gooty-Saphir-Schmuckvogelspinne

📌 Description

Poecilotheria metallica is an arboreal Old World tarantula from India and one of the most famous tarantulas in the hobby because of its vivid electric blue coloration. It is a highly sought-after ornamental species with very strong display appeal.

Poecilotheria miranda

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Poecilotheria miranda is the currently accepted scientific name. The species was described by Pocock in 1900, and Tarantupedia lists the type locality as Bengal: Chota Nagpur.

English common names used in the hobby:

Bengal spotted ornamental tarantula

German common names used in the hobby:

Bengalische Schmuckvogelspinne

📌 Description

Poecilotheria miranda is an arboreal Old World tarantula from India, known for its bold contrasting pattern and impressive adult appearance. It is a striking ornamental species that combines large visual impact with typical fast arboreal behavior.

Pterinochilus murinus

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Pterinochilus murinus is the currently accepted scientific name. Older names associated with the species include:

Pterinochilus hindei
Pterinochilus mamillatus

English common names used in the hobby:

Orange baboon tarantula
Usambara orange baboon tarantula
OBT

📌 Description

Pterinochilus murinus is a fast, defensive Old World tarantula from East Africa, known for its heavy webbing and variable orange, brown, or gray coloration. It is one of the most recognizable African hobby species and is often called simply OBT.

Tliltocatl albopilosus

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Tliltocatl albopilosus is the currently accepted scientific name. In older literature and in much of the pet trade, the species was widely known as Brachypelma albopilosum.

The latest renames that hobbyists most often encounter are:

Brachypelma albopilosum -> Tliltocatl albopilosum (genus transfer, Mendoza & Francke 2019)
Tliltocatl albopilosum -> Tliltocatl albopilosus (current accepted spelling in modern catalogs)

Older names and combinations associated with the species include: