Not furry either, still lovely.
Thai Black Tarantula
Cyriopagopus minax
Also called Thailand Black Tarantula, Thailand Big Black
From Southeast Asia: Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia12
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 of adults
Females 10-13 years; males 2-4 years
Looks how to spot one
Exoskeleton (carapace and abdomen)
A robust, velvety jet-black tarantula with a subtle greenish sheen on the carapace just after a moult. The body is thick and powerful, built for a burrowing life.54
Personality what they are like
This is a defensive, fast-moving Old World tarantula that is not suitable for handling. It will readily posture and may bite if disturbed. Best kept as a 'look but don't touch' display animal for experienced keepers only.124
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Low activity; spends most of its time hidden in its burrow. Emerges mainly at night or when food is offered. Enclosure should allow deep burrowing with minimal disturbance.14
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Minimal grooming; keep enclosure clean by removing uneaten prey within 24 hours. Maintain humidity and temperature. Do not handle. Use tongs for feeding and maintenance to avoid bites.14
Home where they are happiest
Fossorial setup with at least 20-30 cm of deep, moist substrate (peat moss, vermiculite, coconut fibre) for burrowing. Temperature 22-28°C, humidity 70-85%. Provide a water dish, cross-ventilation, and a secure lid. A hide (cork tube or flowerpot) can help start burrowing. This species is not for beginners and has a medically significant bite.142
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Insectivorous: crickets, roaches, locusts, mealworms. Juveniles fed small prey 2-3 times a week; adults fed larger prey once a week. Remove uneaten food after 24 hours. Do not feed vertebrate prey.14
Company who they like around
Solitary; must be housed alone. Not a pet for handling due to defensive nature and potent venom. Suitable only for experienced keepers. In some countries, keeping may be restricted; check local laws.12
The story where it all began
The Thai Black Tarantula has been known in the hobby for many years, originally classified under the genus Haplopelma. It gained a reputation as a challenging, defensive species that only experienced keepers would attempt. Wild specimens were imported from Southeast Asia, but captive breeding has become more common in recent years, making spiderlings occasionally available. Its deep black colour and fossorial lifestyle make it a prized display animal for those who appreciate its natural behaviour.524
Recognised by the official bits
- ITIS
- Accepted species in the family Theraphosidae6
- Encyclopedia of Life
- Species page for Cyriopagopus minax7
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Thai Black 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 Thai Black Tarantula?
Juveniles should be fed small prey 2-3 times a week, while adults get larger prey once a week. Always remove any uneaten food after 24 hours to keep the enclosure clean.14
What does a Thai Black Tarantula eat, and what should it never eat?
This tarantula eats insects like crickets, roaches, locusts, and mealworms. Never feed it vertebrate prey such as mice or lizards.14
How much space does a Thai Black Tarantula need?
It needs a terrarium with at least 20-30 cm of deep, moist substrate for burrowing. A secure lid is essential, and a hide like a cork tube can help it start its burrow.14
What temperature, light or water does a Thai Black Tarantula need?
Keep the temperature between 22-28°C and humidity at 70-85%. Provide a shallow water dish and ensure good cross-ventilation. No special lighting is needed.14
How often should I clean a Thai Black Tarantula's home?
Spot clean weekly by removing leftover food, and do a full substrate change every 6 months. Also check humidity and refill the water dish every 2 days.1 Furry Diary plan
Can a Thai Black Tarantula live with others?
No, this tarantula is solitary and must be housed alone. It is defensive and will not tolerate company.12
How long does a Thai Black Tarantula live?
Lifespan varies from 2 to 13 years, depending on care and sex. Females tend to live longer than males.12
Can I handle a Thai Black Tarantula?
Handling is not recommended. This is a defensive, fast-moving tarantula with potent venom, best kept as a 'look but don't touch' display animal for experienced keepers.124
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.
- spoodoire.uk: cyriopagopus minax spoodoire.ukused for origin, length cm, lifespan years, best traits, temperament, activity needs, grooming or care, habitat needs, diet basics, social needs, fun fact
- mymonsters.co.za: cyriopagopus minax mymonsters.co.zaused for origin, lifespan years, temperament, habitat needs, social needs, history, fun fact
- academy.herpeton.net: melopoeus minax academy.herpeton.netused for length cm, fun fact
- mikebasictarantula.com: Hap minax care sheet mikebasictarantula.comused for coat or body, colours, best traits, temperament, activity needs, grooming or care, habitat needs, diet basics, history, fun fact
- thespidershop.co.uk: cyriopagopoeus minax thespidershop.co.ukused for coat or body, colours, history
- itis.gov: SingleRpt itis.gov
- eol.org: 46765338 eol.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.