
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Haploclastus devamatha
A fossorial tarantula endemic to the Western Ghats of India. Two colour forms occur within the species, one strongly blue and one pinkish, and the blue form is the origin of the Indian peacock trade name.
Haploclastus devamatha is a tarantula of the subfamily Thrigmopoeinae described in 2014 by Prasanth and Sunil Jose from the Western Ghats of India. A species described in the same year by Sanap and Mirza as Thrigmopoeus psychedelicus was shown in 2018 to be indistinguishable from it and was placed in synonymy. That revision also established that the species is polychromatic, with a blue form and a pink form, the blue form being the one known in the trade as the Indian peacock. It is recorded from Thenmala and the Kulathupuzha Forest Reserve in Kerala, where active burrows are found on roadside mud embankments and on the forest floor, with juvenile burrows concentrated on the embankments. The species has since been transferred to Cilantica, a genus erected in 2024 whose females carry the egg sac beneath the chelicerae. Its range is small and collecting pressure is a concern, so captive-bred animals of known origin are preferable.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Indian Peacock Tarantula lives Females 12-15 years / males 3-4 years.
Origin
Western Ghats of Kerala, India (Thenmala and the Kulathupuzha Forest Reserve among others)
Lifespan
Females 12-15 years / males 3-4 years
Live insects such as crickets and roaches
Sources: Sankaran & Sebastian 2018, ZooKeys 749: 81-86 / Wikipedia: Haploclastus / Wikipedia: Cilantica / GBIF
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Accepted name: Haploclastus devamatha Prasanth & Sunil Jose, 2014
Synonyms: Thrigmopoeus psychedelicus Sanap & Mirza, 2014, Haploclastus psychedelicus (Sanap & Mirza, 2014)
Authority databases: GBIF
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Sources: CITES Appendices (species not listed)
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Find listings for this species
It lives in humid forest in the Western Ghats, so the enclosure should not be allowed to dry out.
It is fossorial, digging burrows in mud embankments and forest floor in the wild. Give it substrate deep enough to dig and avoid collapsing its tunnels.
Offer active live prey such as crickets and roaches and remove uneaten items within a day.
As an Old World species in the subfamily Thrigmopoeinae it has no urticating hairs. It is defensive and fast, so handling is best avoided entirely.
The species includes both a blue and a pink form, so colour alone does not identify it. Its range is narrow and collecting pressure is a concern, so choose captive-bred animals.
Advanced. This is an advanced-level species. It requires specialized equipment and advanced husbandry skills with precise environmental control.
The average lifespan of Indian Peacock Tarantula is Females 12-15 years / males 3-4 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.
Indian Peacock Tarantula feeds on: Live insects such as crickets and roaches. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Indian Peacock Tarantula varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.
Last updated: September 17, 2026