Sangihe Black Tarantula

Sangihe Black Tarantula key facts

Care level

Advanced

Lifespan

Females 13-16 years / males 2-4 years

Size

Body 6.5-7cm (female), leg span 17-18cm

Temperature

27〜29℃

Humidity

80〜85%

Diet

Live insects such as crickets and locusts

Temperature & Humidity

Keep 27-29C by day and 24-25C at night, with humidity held high at 80-85%. In the wild it selects humid sites.

Enclosure

Use a tall enclosure of about 20x20x40cm with a cork tube or similar retreat. Although arboreal it often builds from the floor up, so provide a deep substrate layer.

Diet & Feeding

Spiderlings readily take fly larvae, mealworms and small crickets. Adults prefer crickets and locusts and are less keen on roaches.

Temperament & Venom

As an Old World species it has no urticating hairs and is very fast. Do not handle it, and guard against escapes during maintenance.

Notes

Communal rearing works until about the fourth moult and speeds growth, but cannibalism follows, so separate them after that. It is uncommon in the trade and easily confused with its congeners.

About Sangihe Black Tarantula

Sangihe Black Tarantula: an arboreal species endemic to Indonesia's Sangihe Island. Females turn solid black, males greenish-yellow after maturity. Fast-moving, with no urticating hairs, this is an advanced-keeper species.

7 things to know before welcoming a Sangihe Black Tarantula

1. 1Arboreal Housing Needs

   The Sangihe Black is an arboreal tarantula native to Sangihe Island, Indonesia, so it prefers height over floor space. Set up a tall enclosure with cork bark or driftwood hides that let it climb and perch off the ground. Building the habitat around this upward-dwelling instinct is the foundation of good care.

2. 2Fast Movement, Advanced Level

   This species moves very quickly and can dart out the moment the enclosure is opened. It's classified as an advanced-level species, best suited to keepers who already have tarantula-handling experience. It isn't a good match for a first tarantula.

3. 3No Urticating Hairs

   Many tarantulas flick urticating hairs to ward off threats, but the Sangihe Black doesn't have them. Instead, it may rely on other defenses like biting when it feels threatened, so handle husbandry tasks with tools rather than bare hands.

4. 4Color Change at Maturity

   Mature females become a uniform, velvety black, while males turn greenish-yellow after their maturity molt. The same species can look strikingly different depending on sex, which is part of its appeal. Keep in mind that coloring will also look different depending on the individual's growth stage.

5. 5Plan for Adult Size

   Adult females reach a body length of about 6.5-7 cm, with a leg span of 17-18 cm. Even though juveniles start out small, it's worth planning ahead for a larger enclosure sized for their eventual adult dimensions.

6. 6Keep Solitary

   Tarantulas are territorial and can cannibalize one another, so they should be kept one per enclosure. Avoid housing multiple individuals together, and give each one its own separate space.

7. 7Best Observed, Not Handled

   Given its speed and lack of urticating hairs, handling this tarantula bare-handed carries real risk. It's best appreciated as a species to watch through the enclosure glass rather than a hands-on pet. Understanding this before bringing one home will help set the right expectations.

Frequently asked questions about Sangihe Black Tarantula

Q.Is this a good tarantula for beginners?

A.The Sangihe Black is considered an advanced-level species because it moves quickly and lacks urticating hairs. It isn't recommended as a first tarantula for someone without prior handling experience.

Q.Is it true this species has no urticating hairs?

A.Yes, that's correct. Unlike many tarantulas, the Sangihe Black doesn't have urticating hairs. When startled, it may instead rely on other defenses such as biting, so handle care tasks with tools rather than bare hands.

Q.Why do males and females look so different?

A.It's because this species changes color as it reaches sexual maturity. Females develop a uniform, velvety black body, while males turn greenish-yellow after their maturity molt.

Q.How big does it get as an adult?

A.Adult females reach a body length of roughly 6.5-7 cm, with a leg span of about 17-18 cm. It's worth planning your enclosure upgrades around this eventual adult size.

Q.Is the Sangihe Black Tarantula covered by CITES?

A.The Sangihe Black Tarantula falls outside CITES. There's nothing further to note on this point.

Learn more about Sangihe Black Tarantula in the encyclopedia

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