Not furry either, still lovely.
Guatemalan Tiger Rump Tarantula
Davus pentaloris
Also called Guatemalan tiger rump, Tiger rump tarantula
From Southern Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras12
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Diagonal leg span (DLS) for adults
Males 2-4 years, females up to 11 years
Looks how to spot one
Urticating hairs on abdomen
This tarantula has a copper-coloured carapace, black legs, and a black abdomen with copper or orange stripes. The number and brightness of the stripes vary, and there is a distinctive spot near the front of the abdomen. It has Type III urticating hairs on its abdomen which it can kick as a defence.14
Personality what they are like
Skittish but generally docile. It prefers to flee or hide rather than stand its ground, and is not known to be a heavy hair-kicker. However, it can be fast and unpredictable when disturbed, so handling is not recommended. It is best kept as a display animal.145
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Nocturnal and moderately active. It will web around its hide and emerge to hunt. A well-designed enclosure with hiding spots and a day-night light cycle meets its activity needs.65
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Minimal grooming. Enclosure maintenance includes spot-cleaning and providing fresh water. Urticating hairs can irritate skin and eyes, so avoid direct contact and wash hands after any enclosure work.57
Home where they are happiest
A secure, low terrestrial enclosure with a lid and good ventilation. Minimum adult size about 30 x 20 x 20 cm. Use a moisture-retaining substrate such as coconut fibre or organic soil, at least 10 cm deep for adults. Provide a hide (cork bark or artificial burrow) and a shallow water dish. Avoid excessive height, swampy substrate, and unstable rocks. This species is not suitable for outdoor keeping.74
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Insectivorous. Feed appropriately sized live insects such as crickets, roach nymphs, locusts, and occasional mealworms. Adults every 7-14 days; slings every 3-5 days. Remove uneaten prey after 24 hours. Fresh water must always be available.346
Company who they like around
Strictly solitary and cannibalistic. Must always be housed alone. Cohabitation will result in fatal encounters.67
The story where it all began
Davus pentaloris was first described by Simon in 1888. It was once placed in the genus Cyclosternum but is now accepted in Davus. In the pet trade it is frequently mislabelled and sold as Davus fasciatus. It has become popular among tarantula keepers for its striking copper and black pattern, fast growth, and relatively easy care, making it suitable for beginners to intermediate keepers.14
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Guatemalan Tiger Rump Tarantula. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Humidity checkevery 2 days
- Water dishevery 2 days
- FeedingDepends on species, size and moult stagevaries
- Spot cleanRemove leftover foodevery week
- Moult noteLeave them in peace while moulting and note it in the diaryvaries
- Substrate changeevery 6 months
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Guatemalan Tiger Rump Tarantula?
Adults should be fed every 7 to 14 days, while slings need food every 3 to 5 days. Always offer appropriately sized live insects and remove any uneaten prey after 24 hours. For exact amounts, check the food label and ask your vet.346 Furry Diary plan
What does a Guatemalan Tiger Rump Tarantula eat, and what should it never eat?
It eats live insects like crickets, roach nymphs, locusts, and occasional mealworms. Never feed it dead prey, wild-caught insects, or any vertebrate food. Always provide fresh water in a shallow dish.346
How much space does a Guatemalan Tiger Rump Tarantula need?
An adult needs a secure terrestrial enclosure at least 30 x 20 x 20 cm with a lid and good ventilation. Use at least 10 cm of moisture-retaining substrate like coconut fibre, and include a hide and a shallow water dish.74
What temperature, light or water does a Guatemalan Tiger Rump Tarantula need?
Provide a day-night light cycle and keep the enclosure at room temperature with moderate humidity. Always have a shallow water dish with fresh water, and check humidity every two days as part of Furry Diary's starting plan.65 Furry Diary plan
How often should I clean a Guatemalan Tiger Rump Tarantula's home?
Spot-clean weekly by removing leftover food and waste, and change the substrate every 180 days. Always wash your hands after any enclosure work to avoid irritation from urticating hairs.57 Furry Diary plan
Can a Guatemalan Tiger Rump Tarantula live with others?
No, it is strictly solitary and cannibalistic, so it must always be housed alone. Cohabitation will lead to fatal encounters.67
How long does a Guatemalan Tiger Rump Tarantula live?
Females can live up to 11 years, while males have a shorter lifespan of around 2 years. This is a long-term commitment for a female.14
Can I handle a Guatemalan Tiger Rump Tarantula?
Handling is not recommended because it is fast, unpredictable, and has urticating hairs that can irritate skin and eyes. It is best kept as a display animal to admire from a distance.145
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- en.wikipedia.org: Davus pentaloris en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, lifespan years, coat or body, colours, temperament, history, fun fact
- wsc.nmbe.ch: species wsc.nmbe.chused for origin
- academy.herpeton.net: davus pentaloris academy.herpeton.netused for length cm, best traits, diet basics
- thetarantulacollective.com: davus pentaloris thetarantulacollective.comused for length cm, lifespan years, coat or body, best traits, temperament, habitat needs, diet basics, history, fun fact
- spectrumcare.pet: tiger rump tarantula spectrumcare.petused for temperament, activity needs, grooming or care
- atlarium.bio: davus pentaloris atlarium.bioused for activity needs, diet basics, social needs
- academy.herpeton.net: davus pentaloris academy.herpeton.netused for grooming or care, habitat needs, social needs
- inaturalist.org: 474369 Davus pentaloris inaturalist.org
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-10-01. Text is written in our own words from these sources.