Pumpkin Patch Tarantula | Hapalopus sp.



Invertebrate Interests is authored & photographed by Lillie Nyte of Inverts Unlimited 

Pumpkin Patch Hapalopus sp. Colombia (large)

General Description

hapalopus

Hapalopus sp Courtesy of Lillie Nyte Inverts Unlimited

Synonyms: Hapalopus sp. Colombia (gros), Hapalopus formosus, Typhochlaena magdalena, Avicularia magdalenae

Common name(s): Pumpkin patch

Keeper experience: Beginner to intermediate

Adult size: Considered a dwarf species with females only reaching 3 – 4 inches in leg span, males reach approximately 2.25 – 2.75 inches

Growth rate: Fast, males can reach maturity in under a year with females maturing within 2 years

Lifespan: Females approximately 8 – 10 years, Males 2 – 3+ years

Type: Terrestrial, opportunistic burrower

Temperament: Fast moving and can be defensive but not likely to bite. Prefers escape to confrontation

Venom: Mild

Urticating hairs: Yes, but rarely attempts to kick hairs as long as escape is possible

Natural distribution: Colombia

Conservation status: Not listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

hapalopus pumpkin patch

Hapalopus sp Courtesy of Lillie Nyte Inverts Unlimited

Captive Care

Hapalopus sp.

Temperature: Room temperature, Low 70’s to low 80’s Fahrenheit

Humidity: Mid-range 60 – 75 percent

Substrate: 3 – 4 inches of slightly moist coco fiber that is regularly dampened on one side

Prey items: Not picky, will readily feed on crickets, roaches, and mealworms

Miscellany: This species will heavily web their entire enclosures and are likely to run at any disturbance. They display adult coloration at only 0.5 inches as second or third instar spiderlings.

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