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.

Tapinauchenius Violaceus "Purple Tree Spider": Its Greek roots mean "low" "neck" and "purple".

Features:

• Usually non-defensive, preferring flight over fight.
• Wonderful display spider as adults, staying out in the open if plenty of hiding spots are provided close at hand.
• Lacks urticating setae, so no worries about itchy hair flinging.

Enclosure size: To start off, an enclosure with 3.5"-4" length and width and about 6" tall will be ideal and allow for a few molts before a rehouse is necessary. When upgrading enclosures as they grow, aim for a minimum of two times their diagonal leg span for length and width, and three times their diagonal leg span for height.

Temperatures: In their natural ranges it consistently stays 76°-82°, however no ill effects have been observed keeping them at room temperature (72°.) Temperatures consistently below 65° or above 90° should be avoided as they can be harmful.

Humidity: Natural ranges consistently stay around 70%, with dips below and spikes depending on season. They are very forgiving spiders, however and maintaining between 65%-80% is well within acceptable range.

Size: Spiderlings of this species that we have in stock are all around 1" diagonal leg span. As adults they can reach 5" diagonal leg span.

Age: Josh's Frogs T. Violaceus spiderlings are at least 3 months old. Total lifespan for a female can be 12-18 years, with males having roughly one third the lifespan of females.

Feeding: Our spiderlings are eating either a ¼" cricket or 2-3 hydei two times a week. As they get older, they will feed less frequently. Always aim for a prey item the size of their carapace or smaller. Do not feed if abdomen is much larger than the carapace, and wait at least a week after molting to attempt to feed.

Sexing: Due to their age, Tapinauchenius Violaceus sold by Josh's Frogs are sold as unsexed. Sexing can be done at 2.5"-3" diagonal leg span accurately and most accurately done by molt. Females, between the top two sets of book lungs in the molt will have a pronounced spermatheca and uterus externus that will present as a "flap" that will catch and open if a pin is gently run down it. Males will have just a simple slit that does not budge if manipulated.

Color: Spiderlings are a light brown but will darken to a lovely plum purple as they age. Mature males will turn brown again and appear a bit shaggier than females.

Social behavior: Solitary animal, any attempts to cohabitate will likely result in cannibalism.

Breeding: Spiders 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: Tapinauchenius Violaceus is native to parts of Brazil and French Guiana.

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/