Colombian Lesserblack Tarantula

Looks how to spot one

Exoskeleton with urticating hairs

This tarantula has a deep, velvety black body with striking purple to magenta highlights on its legs and carapace. The abdomen is covered with reddish-orange hairs, and the legs have pale striping. It is a large, heavy-bodied New World species.235

Personality what they are like

This tarantula is generally shy as a juvenile but becomes more confident with age. It prefers to flee rather than fight, and may throw defensive threat poses if cornered. It is not aggressive but can be fast and skittish, and it has urticating hairs that it can flick. Handling is not recommended.2345

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Low activity needs; it is a terrestrial opportunistic burrower that spends time both on the surface and in its burrow. It does not require exercise but benefits from an enclosure with ample floor space and deep substrate for burrowing.234

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Minimal grooming; the spider cleans itself. The keeper must maintain a humid environment with deep substrate and good ventilation. Urticating hairs can irritate skin and eyes, so use gloves and avoid handling. Spot-clean waste and remove uneaten prey.234

Home where they are happiest

A terrestrial enclosure wider than tall, with at least 15 cm (6 inches) of moist substrate for burrowing, a hide, a water dish, and good ventilation. Temperature 24-27°C (75-80°F), humidity 70-80%. Not a handling animal; use a catch container for rehousing. This species is not venomous to humans in a dangerous way, but it has urticating hairs that can cause irritation.2346

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Insectivorous; adults eat 6 adult crickets per week or equivalent dubia roaches. Spiderlings take pinhead crickets. They have a strong feeding response and rarely refuse food except before a moult.45

Company who they like around

Solitary; must be housed alone as they are cannibalistic. No social interaction needed. Not a pet for handling.23

The story where it all began

Xenesthis immanis was first described by Ausserer in 1875. It is a New World tarantula native to the humid forests of Colombia, Venezuela, and Peru. In the wild, it has a mutualistic relationship with the microhylid frog Chiasmocleis ventrimaculata, where the spider protects the frog's eggs. It became popular in the pet trade due to its large size, striking purple and magenta colours, and bold feeding behaviour. It is considered an intermediate to advanced species suitable for experienced keepers.1634

Recognised by the official bits

Integrated Taxonomic Information System

Taxonomic Serial No. 8705837