Environmental Caution:

When a damp environment has too little air circulation, this can lead to an anaerobic environment. Where the typical aerobic bacteria helps keep certain types of waste from building up, they are instead replaced by anaerobic bacteria whose waste is more likely to be toxic and harmful. This is often accompanied by a strong swampy smell. 

To guard against anaerobic environments, it is important to monitor and control moisture in the environment as well as air quality. One way to maximize both is to have plentiful live plants as the byproduct of photosynthesis is oxygen and water. Springtails can help keep the substrate aerated and break down waste so that the beneficial bacteria can more easily turn it into plant food.

Defining Characteristics:

• The word ‘psychedelic’ in this species name refers to its particularly vivid iridescent colors
• These are rare, difficult-to-find spiders in the hobby
• This species survives high temps and regular monsoons in its native India

Name: Haploclastus devamatha is commonly known as the Psychedelic Earth Tiger. It has had similarly descriptive common names such as the LSD Earth Tiger and the Polychromatic Earth Tiger.Its scientific name comes from Deva Matha Central School in Bangalore, India.

Recommended Enclosure Size & Setup: Haploclastus devamatha is a fossorial species, meaning this animal will spend a lot of time underground and may need additional substrate to burrow. Surface area of the enclosure should be no less than two times the spider's diagonal leg span in one direction and three times the diagonal leg span in the other. We recommend against allowing your fossorial spider more than two times their diagonal leg span as head space above their substrate as a fall from any higher could result in serious injury.

The enclosure should be tall enough to accommodate 2-3 inches of substrate for slings and 5+ inches for adults. ABG mix, coco cradle, or Dig-It are good substrate options, but our Pet Bug Team prefers ABG all the way! 

Temperature (°F): This species thrives in the mid 70s to low 80s, so a temperature close to 80 degrees is ideal. Temperatures regularly dipping below 65 or spiking above 85° should be avoided. They are sensitive to the cold and pretty resilient when it comes to heat.

A thermometer is recommended to keep an eye on temperatures in the enclosure.

Humidity: These spiders thrive in a humid environment, so the recommended ambient humidity should stay between 55 and 70%. This can be achieved by making sure the substrate is always slightly moistened. Depending on your location, you may need tools such as a humidifier to maintain this environment.

The enclosure sides and decor should be spritzed at least lightly around twice a week to provide your animal droplets to drink from and keep humidity up, do not spray your spider directly. A hygrometer is a great way to monitor the humidity for your animal and see any needed adjustments. 

Size: These tarantulas will be at least 1 inch at time of sale. Females grow to be 3.5-4 inches while males stay just under three inches.

Age: These spiders will be 1 to 2 years old at time of sale. Females can live 10-15 years, while males rarely live over 3.

Feeding: These spiders are currently eating two to three 1/4 inch crickets, once a week. There are a variety of appropriate prey items that you can offer, such as roaches, waxworms, black soldier fly larvae, hornworms, and silkworms. Consider feeding your prey items with our gutload formula to give your pet well-rounded nutrition.

We recommend that the prey items not be much longer than the tarantula's “head” is wide. Larvae are an exception—our larvae are harmless. Since they are very high in fat, they're not the best staple diet, however they make a great weight gain supplement.

Remove uneaten prey items after 24 hours, these may stress your animal out or endanger the spider during molting. Never attempt to feed a freshly molted tarantula less than a week after their molt to prevent injury to the spider. Depending on its age, the hardening process could take anywhere from 48 hours all the way up to a week.

Sexing: Due to age, these particular Haploclastus devamatha sold by Josh’s Frogs are sold as unsexed. 

Color/Pattern: This species is known as the Psychedelic Earth Tiger because of the intensely vivid metallic blues, purples and pinks found on this spider.

This species is thought to be dichromatic, with a pink and blue as well as a blue form. Some say those color differences are brought on by age and that older H. devamatha are all the blue form.

Social Behavior: Haploclastus devamatha is not a sociable animal and should be housed as an individual. Attempts at cohabitation can result in cannibalism. 

This species is skittish and quick to run.

Natural Range: Haploclastus devamatha can be found in the wild in Western Ghats, India.

 History in the Hobby: This species has only been in the hobby for the last ten years or so. They are very rarely available, even to this day.

Still not sure if Haploclastus devamatha from Josh's Frogs is the right pet for you? Read the reviews below and see what other customers are saying!