Psalmopoeus irminia

🔤 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.

Adult size is usually about 5-6 cm body length and about 13-15 cm legspan, with females typically heavier than mature males.

Unlike many New World tarantulas, species in Psalmopoeus do not rely on urticating hairs. Their defense is more about speed, retreating, threat posture, and the ability to bite if badly stressed.

This species is best treated as an advanced-beginner or intermediate display tarantula rather than a handling animal. It is often visible near the entrance of its webbed retreat, especially once settled.

☠️ Venom and safety

A bite from Psalmopoeus irminia can cause puncture wounds, pain and swelling. Human bite reports are too uneven to predict an individual reaction or assign a precise venom potency to every species. Do not interpret a quiet animal or a “mild venom” label as permission to handle it.

Use long tools and a catch cup, with a second containment tub for transfers in a closed room. Keep hands out of retreats and webbing, do not hand-feed, and do not chase an escaping spider. Keep transfers low to limit fall injuries to the animal.

After a bite, wash the wound with soap and water and contact a poison centre or medical service with the scientific name and time of exposure. Seek urgent care for severe or spreading pain, muscle cramps or persistent symptoms; call emergency services for breathing difficulty, throat swelling or collapse. Do not cut the wound or try to extract venom. Treatment focuses on wound assessment and symptom control under medical supervision.

🌍 Distribution

Psalmopoeus irminia is native to Venezuela. In the wild it is associated with warm humid forest with bark retreats, hollow wood and heavy webbing above ground.

In captivity, that background points to:

• a secure vertical enclosure with cork bark or tree-bark retreats
• strong cross-ventilation with moderate humidity
• fresh water and occasional moisture without stale air
• minimal disturbance around the main retreat
• careful maintenance, because fast arboreal species can bolt quickly

🌡 Climate across the native range

Monthly climate normals from reviewed GBIF occurrence locations:

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com · CC BY 4.0 · Monthly normals calculated by Herpeton Academy from daily archive values.

Location references use GBIF.org occurrence data where available; original occurrence records retain their source dataset licenses.

⚖️ Legal status

No current CITES listing or specific EU wildlife trade annex listing was found for Psalmopoeus irminia in the official sources checked for this article. The species is not relevant to the Bern Convention because it is not native to Europe.

Local rules on import, sale, transport, breeding, and proof of legal origin may still apply. Captive-bred animals from reputable sources remain the safest choice.

🤌 Husbandry

• Adult enclosure: 30 × 30 × 45 cm (length × width × height).

Provide an upright cork retreat and connected web anchors; preserve usable climbing height after adding substrate and drainage.

Psalmopoeus irminia should be kept alone in a secure vertical enclosure.

Young spiders should be raised in secure, simple containers first, with larger housing introduced only when they can use the extra space safely.

The essentials are:

• Tall arboreal layout
• Cork bark tube or upright hide
• Strong cross-ventilation
• Moderate humidity
• A water dish

An adult is often kept in an enclosure around 30 × 30 × 45 cm or larger. The enclosure should provide both vertical security and usable web anchors.

💡 Lighting

Keep lighting simple: ordinary room light and a consistent day-night cycle are enough.

Strong direct lamps are unnecessary and can overheat or dry the enclosure too aggressively.

🌡 Heating and temperature

This species usually does well at warm room temperatures:

• Daytime air: 22-27 °C
• Night: 20-23 °C

Stable warmth is useful, but overheating must be avoided. High stagnant heat is riskier than slightly cooler conditions with good airflow.

💧 Humidity and water

Psalmopoeus irminia usually does best with moderate humidity and constant access to fresh water. The enclosure should not be allowed to become swampy or stale.

Practical points:

• Keep part of the enclosure slightly more humid if needed
• Let surfaces dry between heavier moisture additions
• Maintain strong ventilation
• Provide fresh water at all times

The goal is balanced moisture, not wetness.

🌿 Enclosure and decoration

This species needs vertical structure more than floor space. A practical setup often includes a cork bark tube, side and rear cover, branches, and web anchors that allow the spider to build a secure retreat.

Useful enclosure elements include:

• Cork bark tube
• Vertical branchwork
• Anchor points for silk
• A water bowl
• Good ventilation

Once settled, the enclosure may become heavily webbed. That webbing should not be removed unless there is a real hygiene problem.

🪳 Feeding

Psalmopoeus irminia is insectivorous. Suitable staple prey includes:

• Crickets
• Roaches
• Locusts where available
• Mealworms only occasionally

Adults usually take appropriately sized prey every 7-10 days; slings and juveniles can be fed more often while growing.

Because this species is fast, feeding and maintenance should be done carefully and without rushing.

🩺 Common problems

The most common problems are linked to stale humid air, dehydration through neglected water access, insecure enclosure design, failed molts, and escapes during rushed maintenance.

Warning signs include:

• Persistent lethargy
• Wrinkled abdomen
• Visible decline after poor ventilation
• Failed molt
• Defensive escalation in a stressful setup

If there is severe dehydration, visible injury, leaking hemolymph, or a difficult molt, seek experienced exotic-veterinary help where possible.

📌 Conclusion

Psalmopoeus irminia is a beautiful, fast, web-heavy arboreal tarantula that thrives when its enclosure combines height, ventilation, moderate humidity, and security. It is not difficult when treated with respect, but it is much less forgiving of rushed handling and poor airflow than a typical beginner terrestrial species.

📚 Sources and further reading

Taxonomy and legal references identify names and listing frameworks; they do not establish care limits. General husbandry references support the precautions described. Unless tied to a specific study in the text, the numerical enclosure, climate and feeding recommendations are editorial planning guidance, not experimentally established species-specific limits.

• Species+: CITES and EU listing records
• CITES Appendices: listing reference
• European Commission: wildlife-trade framework and annex resources
• GBIF: Psalmopoeus irminia — taxonomy and recorded distribution; not a husbandry study
• MedlinePlus: tarantula bites and hair exposure
• University of Illinois veterinary guidance: feeding precautions, water and undisturbed molting; general tarantula guidance
• Enclosure planning reference: The Tarantula Collective — Psalmopoeus irminia — layout guidance; the exact dimensions selected here are an editorial planning example.