The Venezuelan Suntiger Tarantula is a species of tarantula that is native to the Northern parts of South America in countries such as Venezuela, Guyana and Northern Brazil.
This species is unique in the sense that it does not have uricating hairs, which most New World tarantulas possess. However, their venom is more potent than many of the other New World tarantulas.
Some of the other commonly kept species of New World Tarantulas include the Costa Rican Zebra Tarantula, Green Bottle Blue Tarantula, Guyana Pink Toe Tarantula, Mexican Fireleg Tarantula and the Pumpkin Patch Tarantula.
Venezuelan Suntiger Tarantula Taxonomy
The Venezuelan Suntiger Tarantula belongs to the Family Theraphosidae. This essentially means that the spider is a tarantula and over 1,000 different spiders have been identified as part of the family Theraphosidae.
Theraphosidae belongs to the infraorder Mygalomorphae. While many of the other species in this infraorder are often referred to as tarantulas or ‘false tarantulas’, the species in the family Theraphosidae are considered the ‘true’ tarantulas.
Tarantulas can be found throughout the American Continent (excluding Canada), Africa, parts of Mediterranean Europe, South-East Asia and Australia.
The Venezuelan Suntiger Tarantula belongs to the genus Psalmopoeus which is a genus of tarantula native to Central and South America. The species in this genus are believed to have a high toxicity to their venom.
The scientific name for the Venezuelan Suntiger Tarantula is Psalmopoeus irminia.
Venezuelan Suntiger Tarantula Description
The Venezuelan Suntiger Tarantula has a striking black coloration. This is contrasted with vibrant orange markings on their abdomen and legs. They are a medium sized tarantula that can reach a leg span of around 6 inches.
A mature female typically has more vibrant orange coloration while the males generally lose a lot of this as they mature. Males are also smaller and have more of a greyish brown color as opposed to the deep black seen in females.
Natural Habitat and Distribution
Until recently, it was believed that the Venezuelan Suntiger Tarantula was only found in parts of Venezuela and Guyana. However, in 2016 specimens were also found in parts of Northern Brazil.
Venezuelan Suntiger Tarantula as Pets
The Venezuelan Suntiger Tarantula is not a species that should be kept by a beginner tarantula keeper. It is best left to more advanced hobbyists for a number of reasons.
These tarantulas are extremely quick and can dart from one side of the enclosure to the other in the blink of an eye. This can be quite intimidating for a beginner tarantula keeper.
They can also be very defensive but will typically prefer to run and hide than stand their ground. However, if backed into a corner the Venezuelan Suntiger Tarantula will bite.
These tarantulas are considered more venomous than many other New World species. Symptoms of a bite include extreme pain in the area of the bite, dizziness, muscle spasms, sweating and vomiting.
Venezuelan Suntiger Tarantula Feeding
A spiderling Venezuelan Suntiger Tarantula can be fed twice a week. At this age they can be feed flightless fruit flies or pre-killed small crickets. If you are feeding large prey items, they must be pre-killed.
Any uneaten food should be removed from the enclosure within 24 hours. It is normal for a tarantula to refuse food when they are in pre-molt and you should wait for their skin to harden after a molt before offering food again.
A good rule of thumb is to offer insects that are no larger than the length of the spider’s abdomen, although you can go a bit smaller if you wish.
As the Venezuelan Suntiger Tarantula grows, you can increase the duration between feeds. This is because their growth rate slows down so they don’t use as much energy.
A juvenile can be fed 2-3 medium crickets (depending on its size) once a week while an adult Venezuelan Suntiger Tarantula can be fed 6 or 7 large crickets every week or so.
There is no set amount to feed a tarantula and you really have to judge it based on the condition of the spider. If they are starting to look skinny, increase the meal sizes or reduce the duration between feeds.
If they are starting to look fat, reduce meal sizes or increase the duration between feeds. You can also supplement their diet with different insects such as roaches’ mealworms, super worms and locusts.
Psalmopoeus irminia Housing
As the Venezuelan Suntiger Tarantula is an arboreal species, height is more important than floor space. However, it is important to note that they will also spend time on the floor so this should be factored in when setting up their enclosure.
A spiderling can be kept in a small plastic container with a couple of small ventilation holes in the side. Make sure the holes aren’t too big as these spiderlings are very small and can fit through surprisingly small holes.
There setup should have more height in it but they should also have a bit of floor space. To promote climbing, add a piece of Cork Bark or some small twigs or branches. You could also add a small plastic leaf that sits vertically in the enclosure.
A small water dish should be present at all times. In terms of substrate, this doesn’t need to be as deep as you would use for a burrowing species but you should still have some bit of depth to it as they will burrow a bit, especially when young.
As the spider grows, you will need to increase the size of its enclosure. A good rule of thumb is to offer them an enclosure that is 3 times larger than the tarantula. These spiders will do great in an enclosure measuring 12” x 12” x 18”.
This can be filled with about 4” of substrate to allow them to burrow. The substrate can be kept slightly damp to help with humidity levels but be careful not to create swampy conditions.
Psalmopoeus irminia Temperature
You can keep your Venezuelan Suntiger at room temperature. If the temperature is comfortable for you, it will be comfortable for them. This adds to their ease of care as you don’t need any special heating equipment.
However, if you live in a cold climate, you may want to add some supplemental heat during the winter months. You typically want to keep them between a temperature range of 75F-80F but it can drop a few degrees at night.
If you need to add heat to your enclosure, an under-tank heat mat is your best option. This should be connected to a good quality thermostat to ensure the cage doesn’t get too hot.
You don’t need to provide your tarantula with any special kind of lighting such as UVB. An adequate day/night cycle is all they need.
Venezuelan Suntiger Tarantula Handling
The Venezuelan Suntiger Tarantula is not a species that should be handled. They are extremely quick and will attempt to retreat to the safety of their hide as soon as the cage door opens.
However, if backed into a corner they will attempt to defend themselves. While this species doesn’t have uricating hairs, it more than makes up for this with its bite.
The Venezuelan Suntiger Tarantula has a more potent venom than many other New World tarantulas. Symptoms of a bite include extreme pain in the area of the bite, dizziness, muscle spasms, sweating and vomiting.