At a glance the quick version
Leg span
Males live about 2-3 years, females up to 7-10 years
Looks how to spot one
hair
A small, dwarf tarantula with a golden carapace and striped abdomen. Two colour forms exist: the olive form has a brown body with dark brown and yellow markings, while the gold form (a recessive gene) shows even gold colouration over the whole body. They are prolific webbers, often covering their enclosure in silk.125
Personality what they are like
Generally docile and not aggressive, but very skittish and extremely fast. It may throw a threat pose if provoked but lacks urticating hairs. Not recommended for beginners due to its speed and small size. Handling is not advised.245
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Low activity needs; spends most time in its burrow or webbed retreat. Enclosure should have several inches of substrate, a cork bark hide, and plastic foliage for web anchors.24
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Minimal grooming. Provide a shallow water dish and keep substrate dry with low humidity. Spot clean as needed. No special grooming required.46
Home where they are happiest
Terrestrial burrowing setup with at least 3 inches of substrate. Dry substrate and low humidity are important. A 9x6 inch container is suitable for an adult. Provide cork bark, plastic foliage, and a water dish. They are prolific webbers, so anchor points are essential.245
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Feed spiderlings flightless fruit flies or pinhead crickets 2-3 times per week. Juveniles and adults can eat crickets, dubia roaches, or mealworms about twice a week. Prey should be roughly the tarantula's body length.25
Company who they like around
Can be kept alone or in communal groups with careful management. Cannibalism is rare but can occur if animals differ in size, sex, or hunger levels. Not recommended for beginners in communal setups.123
The story where it all began
Neoholothele incei has been kept in the tarantula hobby for many years, valued for its small size, fast growth, and heavy webbing. It is one of the few tarantula species known to live communally, which has increased its popularity among enthusiasts. The gold colour form, caused by a recessive gene, is especially sought after.126
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Trinidad Olive 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 Trinidad Olive Tarantula?
Feed spiderlings flightless fruit flies or pinhead crickets 2-3 times per week. Juveniles and adults can eat crickets, dubia roaches, or mealworms about twice a week, with prey roughly the tarantula's body length. Adjust based on your tarantula's appetite and moult stage, and always check with a vet for specific needs.25 Furry Diary plan
What does a Trinidad Olive Tarantula eat, and what should it never eat?
They eat flightless fruit flies, pinhead crickets, crickets, dubia roaches, or mealworms, with prey size matching the tarantula's body length. Never feed them wild-caught insects or anything larger than they can handle, as this can cause injury. For exact amounts, follow the food label and ask a vet.25
How much space does a Trinidad Olive Tarantula need?
A 9x6 inch container is suitable for an adult, with at least 3 inches of substrate for burrowing. Provide cork bark, plastic foliage for web anchors, and a water dish. Furry Diary's starting plan includes a substrate change every 180 days.245 Furry Diary plan
What temperature, light or water does a Trinidad Olive Tarantula need?
Keep the enclosure at room temperature with low humidity and dry substrate. Provide a shallow water dish and check it every 2 days as per Furry Diary's plan. No special lighting is needed, but avoid direct sunlight.46 Furry Diary plan
How often should I clean a Trinidad Olive Tarantula's home?
Spot clean weekly by removing leftover food, and change the substrate every 180 days as per Furry Diary's plan. They are prolific webbers, so leave their silk structures intact unless soiled.2 Furry Diary plan
Can a Trinidad Olive Tarantula live with others?
They can be kept alone or in communal groups with careful management, but cannibalism is rare if animals differ in size, sex, or hunger levels. Communal setups are not recommended for beginners.123
How long does a Trinidad Olive Tarantula live?
Their lifespan ranges from 2 to 10 years, depending on care and sex. Females generally live longer than males.12
Can I handle a Trinidad Olive Tarantula?
Handling is not advised because they are very skittish, extremely fast, and may throw a threat pose if provoked. They lack urticating hairs but can still bite if stressed, so it's best to admire them in their enclosure.245
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.
Like what we are building? Buy Archy a bone.
All of this is free for everyone, with a source on every fact, and it will never show annoying ads. It was a big job to build, so if it helped you, buy Archy a bone. Any amount is lovely, and no is a perfectly fine answer too.
Archy is our Australian Cattle Dog and chief taste tester. Tips go to 4V3D OÜ, the small family studio behind Furry Diary.
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: Neoholothele incei en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, length cm, lifespan years, coat or body, social needs, history, fun fact
- beyondthetreat.com: neoholothele incei beyondthetreat.comused for origin, lifespan years, coat or body, colours, best traits, temperament, activity needs, habitat needs, diet basics, social needs, history, fun fact
- academy.herpeton.net: neoholothele incei academy.herpeton.netused for length cm, social needs
- fearnottarantulas.com: neoholothele incei trinidad olive tarantula fearnottarantulas.comused for best traits, temperament, activity needs, grooming or care, habitat needs
- pet.226248.com: 8299 pet.226248.comused for coat or body, colours, best traits, temperament, habitat needs, diet basics, fun fact
- fearnottarantulas.com: neoholothele incei trinidad olive tarantula gold form fearnottarantulas.comused for grooming or care, history, fun fact
- itis.gov: SingleRpt itis.gov
- fws.gov: trinidad olive tarantula neoholothele incei fws.gov
- 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.