Thai Golden Fringe Tarantula

Looks how to spot one

hair/fur

The body is mostly black, but subadult and adult females and subadult males develop a striking golden to orange fringe of hairs on the patellae and tibiae of the front legs. The abdomen has a faint fishbone or tiger pattern of darker lines. Mature males are lighter overall and lose the abdominal pattern.15

Personality what they are like

This tarantula is defensive, nervous and lightning fast when startled. It prefers to flee first but will strike a threat pose or bite if provoked. It is not a species for handling and is best suited to experienced keepers who respect its space.1342

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Low. It is a fossorial burrower that spends most of its time underground. It rarely ventures far from its burrow entrance, so it does not need a large enclosure for exercise.32

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Minimal. No grooming is needed. The main care tasks are maintaining humidity and temperature, providing a water dish, and cleaning leftover prey. The enclosure must be escape proof.32

Home where they are happiest

A secure, escape proof enclosure with good floor space and at least 20-25 cm of deep, moist substrate such as coco fibre or peat for burrowing. Temperature should be 24-30°C and humidity 75-85%. Provide a shallow water dish, a cork bark starter burrow, and good cross ventilation. This species is fossorial and will dig vertical tunnels 30-40 cm deep. It is an Old World tarantula with strong venom, so it must be kept hands off and is not suitable for beginners.1325

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Live insects such as crickets, roaches, locusts and mealworms. Adults should be fed every 10-14 days, juveniles weekly, and spiderlings two to three times a week.425

Company who they like around

Solitary and aggressive toward others of its kind. It must be housed alone. It is a defensive species with strong venom and should never be handled. In some countries it may be regulated or illegal to keep; always check local laws before acquiring one.135

The story where it all began

Ornithoctonus aureotibialis was first described in 2005 by Volker von Wirth and Boris F. Striffler. Its scientific name comes from Latin 'aureus' meaning golden and 'tibia', referring to the golden fringe of hairs on the front legs. It is native to tropical rainforests of Thailand, Myanmar and Malaysia. In the pet trade it is known as the Thai Golden Fringe Tarantula and is bred in captivity, though it is considered an advanced species due to its defensive nature and potent venom.165