SPECIAL NOTE: USPS forbids shipping venomous spiders or scorpions in the mail.

Because of this, we ship these animals FedEx priority overnight for a flat fee of $39.99.

• A confident and large species from South America - their willingness to stay out in the open as adults makes them a great display species.
• Striking contrast between black, white and red makes for an absolutely gorgeous tarantula.
• Great feeding response means there will never be a dull feeding day.
• Can be defensive and quick to flick hairs and/or go into threat posture, recommended for at least intermediate keepers.

Nhandu chromatus is commonly known as the Brazilian Red and White. The genus name Nhandu refers to a place, while chromatus has Greek roots meaning "colored"

Enclosure:

Nhandu chromatus is a terrestrial species, the surface area of the enclosure should be no smaller than two times the diagonal leg span of the spider going one way, and three times the diagonal leg span going the other. The enclosure should be tall enough to provide at least 2" of substrate for slings, and 4"+ for adults. Never give your terrestrial tarantula more than twice its diagonal leg span for head space above the substrate, as falls from any farther could cause major injury.

Temperature:

This species is best kept between 74°-78°, with wiggle room of a couple degrees in either direction. Temperatures above 90° or consistently below 67° should be avoided.

Humidity:

65%-75%, slings should always be kept on lightly moistened substrate, adults should be kept with a corner of their enclosure undergoing a wet/dry cycle that can be achieved by intermittently overflowing the water dish and allowing the surrounding area to dry out before doing so again.

Size:

Nhandu chromatus sold by Josh's frogs are at least ¼", adults reach sizes of 6"-7".

Age:

Nhandu chromatus sold by Josh's Frogs are at least 2 months old. Males will live 3-4 years and females 12-15 years.

Feeding:

At time of sale Nhandu chromatus are eating hydei fruit flies or pinhead crickets twice a week. As they grow their prey should also grow, sized about to the spider's carapace. As the spider ages it will eat less frequently, with adults eating once every 10-14 days. Do not feed a tarantula for at least a week after it molts to prevent injury from the tarantula.

Sexing:

Due to age, Nhandu chromatus spiderlings sold by Josh's Frogs are sold as unsexed. Specimens of 2.5"-3" diagonal leg span will be able to start being accurately sexed. The most accurate method is always molt sexing, the molt of a female tarantula of appropriate size will have spermatheca and a uterus externus in between the top two sets of book lungs that will appear as a "flap" that will catch and open if a pin is gently run down this section of the old exoskeleton. Males will have a much more plain slit that will not budge with attempts to manipulate it.

Coloration/patterning:

Slings are light brown, growing to be black with a sandy colored carapace, a white "skeleton" pattern down the legs and red hairs covering the abdomen.

Breeding:

Spiders kept for breeding purposes should remain supervised when together and should only be attempted well fed. Mature males can be put in the enclosure of a mature female for courtship/mating. Remove male promptly after insertion is observed, or immediately if female is aggressive rather than receptive.

Natural Range:

Brazil and Paraguay

Links of Interest:

• Arachnoboards: a community of spider enthusiasts that will be able to or have already answered almost any question you can think of with regards to tarantulas.

http://arachnoboards.com/