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Background
I am a Doctor of Epidemiology, which is the study of risk factors and causes of disease in humans. I am well-published in the field of epidemiology. I am not an arachnologist nor do I hold myself out as an expert in tarantula science and care. Tarantula keeping is a hobby for me, and this website serves as a repository of information on my collection. This site is updated frequently.
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Upon researching the field of tarantulas, it is abundantly clear that a limited number of researchers publish on tarantula science. There is a widely heterogenous array of misclassifications, changing classifications, faulty distribution practice, and misunderstandings in the field. I am not here to fix these issues, but hopefully can assist in harmonizing information based on my experience with my own species.
Psalmopoeus
Species of this genus are native to Central America and northern South America. All species are arboreal, and many are fast moving with slightly more potent venom than other new world species. Genus and species: Psalmopoes victori Common name: Darth Maul Given name: Nihlus This species is native to Mexico and is the only arboreal species from Mexico. They have unique coloration with red on the abdomen and back legs and black on the carapace and front legs. Habitat: they resid
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Taksinus
This is a newly discovered genus that includes a single species, the T. bambus. This species lives in bamboo trees in the Mueang Tak District of Thailand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7NsgZvnbBs
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Chromatopelma
There is only one species in this genus -- the C. cyaneopubescens. This is a hobby staple. Genus and species: Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens Common name: Green Bottle Blue Given name: Sophie This is an iconic species in the hobby given its remarkable coloration, relatively calm demeanor, hardiness, and its tendency to be on display. This species hails from northern Venezuela. They prefer arid climates and tend to be semi-arboreal. They are heavy webbers. This species reaches a
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Chilobrachys
Species in this genus are found throughout southeast Asia. This genus includes 32 species. As with the many of the southeast Asian species, many in this genus are known to be temperamental with significant venom. Genus and species: Chilobrachys natanicharum Common name: Thai Electric Blue Given name: Mook This is currently an undescribed fossorial/terrestrial species from Vietnam. They grow to approximately 6 inches. This species is fast with ambush tendencies. They have a st
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Ybyrapora
This genus includes three accepted arboreal species from Brazil that were formerly included in Avicularia. Genus and species: Ybyrapora diversipes Common name: Amazon Sapphire Given name: Oakley Y. diversipes is an arboreal species native to Brazil. This species has beautiful coloration with blues, greens, purples, reds and oranges. Adults can reach 5 inches. They are considered to be fast and skittish. Habitat: Amazon rainforest regions where it constructs webs in crevices a
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Cyriopagopus
This genus includes species formerly placed in Haplopelma, and currently includes 9 accepted species. All species in this genus are found in southeast Asia. Most species are fossorial. The species in this genus are defensive, and many can be aggressive with highly toxic venom. Upon researching this genus, as with the majority of southeast Asian genera, the taxonomy and nomenclature is highly inconsistent and inadequate. The science (and the hobby) is in dire need of DNA resea
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Omothymus
Species of this genus are found in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. There are currently 4 accepted species in this genus. All species in this genus are arboreal and large size. Genus and species: Omothymus violaceopes Common name: Singapore Blue Given name: Kopi They can reach 9 or more inches, making this one of the largest arboreal species. They are exceptionally beautiful displaying vivid royal blue to purple coloration with an olive carapace. They also have orange seta
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Ornithoctoninae
This is a sub-family that includes several described species in specific genera as well as undescribed species from southeast Asia. Most species are described as a variety of earth tigers. 'sp' indicates it's an unconfirmed or undescribed species within that subfamily. Genus and species: Ornithoctoninae sp. Vietnam silver Given name: Mai This is currently an undescribed fossorial/terrestrial species from Vietnam. They grow to approximately 6 inches. This species is fast with
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Monocentropus
There is one species in this genus, M. balfouri. Genus and species: Monocentropus balfouri Common name: Socotra Island Blue Baboon Given name: Athena M. balfouri is found on Socotra Island, which is off the coast of Yemen. This island is protected given it unique flora and fauna. Socotra island is arguably the most interesting geographic location on the planet. M. balfouri is characterized by a dark blue carapace and legs, complemented with a cream abdomen. In captivity, this
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Phormingochilus
This genus comprises five accepted species, native to Borneo and Indonesia. All species are considered arboreal. Genus and species: Phormingochilus hatihati Common name: Borneo Purple Earth Tiger Given name: Violeta  Muller (2024) described this species in a comprehensive publication. Source: Muller 2024 Source: Muller 2024 This species is found in Tammajarra, Polewali, Mandar, West Sulawesi, Indonesia. "Hati Hati" translated to pain or caution. This species is considered arb
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Aspinochilus
There is currently only one accepted species in this genus. Muller (2024) described this species in a comprehensive publication. Source: Muller 2024 Source: Muller 2024 Genus and species: Aspinochilus rufus Common name: Peach Earth Tiger Given name: Snapple This arboreal species can be found in the montane rainforests of Mount Argopuro in East Java, Indonesia. A. rufus has a beautiful orange and red coloration. This species is threatened in the wild. Habitat: native to lush t
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Davus
This genus currently includes four accepted species in scientific classifications, all hailing from Central America (Mexico to Panama). Davus species present with red to orange striped coloration, giving them the common name of "tiger rump tarantulas." Source: Gabriel 2016 Source: Gabriel 2016 Genus and species: Davus pentaloris Common name: Guatemalan Tiger Rump Given name: Horchata This dwarf species is native to El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. Considered to h
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Ornithoctonus
This genus currently includes three accepted species in scientific taxonomy. This genus, which is similar to Haplopelma, includes fossorial species that are generally colorful with distinct sexual dichromatism. Most species have a tiger pattern, hence many of their common names that include variations of "Earth Tiger." Although much is to be learned about this genus, Ornithoctonus are described from Myanmar, southern and central Thailand. More research is needed for this genu
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Cyriocosmus
There are 23 accepted species of Cyriocosmus, which are found in South America, Trinidad and Tobogo. All species have type 3 urticating...
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Caribena
There are currently two accepted species of this genera, the versicolor and laeta, both of which are endemic to specific Caribbean islands (hence the word Caribena). The versicolor is bright and colorful while the laeta is brown. Fukushima and Bertani 2017 published a taxonomic revision of Avicularia, including summaries of Caribena. Source: Fukushima and Bertani 2017 Source: Fukushima and Bertani 2017 Genus and species: Avicularia C. versicolor Common name: Antilles pinktoe
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Nhandu
This genus comprises a relatively small number of small from South America. There are four accepted Nhandu species, with two additional in synonymy. These species are primarily found in Brazil. Genus and species: Nhandu tripepii Common name: Brazilian giant blonde Given name: Emily This species is native to the State of Para, Brazil, described from the Golas region. They can be skittish, defensive, and aggressive. This species is considered a senior synonym to Nhandu vulpinus
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Avicularia
This genus comprises arboreal species that can be found throughout Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil. All of the Avicularia species have pink foot pads. Certain species have been known to jump short distances. Many species in this genus have been transferred to other genera. Currently, there are 12 accepted Avicularia species. Historically, over 50 species were classified a
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Theraphosa
The Theraphosa genus currently includes three accepted species (stirmi, blondi, aphophysis). All are very large and considered the largest tarauntula species in the world. They are typically found in Guyana, Brazil, Venezuela, and Columbia. They species requires humidity, which should be monitored. They are large enough to consume vertebrate prey items. There is a so-called fourth "accepted" species, which is T. spinipes. However, this classification may not be universally a
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Aphonopelma
This genus includes most of the North American tarantula species, and includes species in Mexico and part of Central America even into Costa Rica. This genus typically comprises mid-size species. Over 90 Aphonopelma species have been documented, thus, this genus comprises almost 10% of all described tarantula species. However, only 50 to 60 species have been accepted with major revisions currently underway. Genus and species: Aphonopelma chalcodes Common name: Arizona Blonde
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Grammostola
This genus originates from South America, namely Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina among other countries. This genus includes some very...
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Lasiodora
The Lasiodora genus includes a relatively modest number of species, all of which are found in Brazil. Many species that were originially classified as Lasiodora have been reclassified into other genera. The current list of Lasiodora includes large size species. The most recent taxonomic revision and analysis of this genus was publihsed by Bertani in 2023. Several species have been reclassified, in synonymy, or nomina dubia. The accepted species are: Lasiodora benedeni (ex dif
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Lasiodorides
The Lasiodorides genus is limited to two species, primarily from Peru. Sherwood 2021 redescribed the Lasiodorides genus. Genus and species: Lasiodorides polycuspulatus Common name: Peruvian Blonde Given name: Latte L. polycuspulatus is a slow growing and generally docile species from northeastern Peru. Females reach an adult size of 5 to 6 inches. They are common in the hobby given their disposition and lack of aggressiveness. Habitat: Creates burrows around and under rocks a
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Vitalius
The genus Vitalius includes a moderate number (n = 11 accepted) of South American species, typically from Brazil and less so from Argentina. Few species are available in the hobby. Genus and species: Vitalius chromatus Common name: Brazilian red and white Given name: Twix This species was considered a Lasiodora, then a Nhandu, and now a Vitalius. Source: Peters 2005 Husbandry Notes: Enclosure: 12x12x12 Sex: Male Life stage: Mature Size: Approximately 6 inches but mostly legs
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Xenesthis
The Xenesthis genus contains relatively few species, but of their species, they tend to exhibit vibrant coloration. This species hails from Columbia and Venezuela. Five Xenesthis species are currently accepted by scientific classifications. This genus is summarized by Sherwood 2023. Genus and species: Xenesthis sp. white Common name: Columbian Lesser White Given name: Zoe This species... Husbandry Notes: Enclosure: 12x12x12 Sex: Female Life stage: sub-adult Size: Approximatel
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Phormictopus
The Phormictopus genus are found in the Greater Antilles, including the West Indies, Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Cuba. The various Phormictopus species are relatively large. This genus includes some very bold and brilliant specimens that make great display tarantulas. Currently, there are approximately 12 to 14 species in this genus with a handful of species in synonymy. The taxonomy for this genera is confusing with inconsistent classifications. There are some color varia
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Brachypelma
The Brachypelma genus is a mid-size tarantula, with bright orange and red colorations among many of its species. They can be found in Mexico. This is a very popular genus among hobbyists and because of this, many species have been captured and exported illegally from Mexico. Thus, all species are protected and regulated under Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES). These are generally slow growing species. The most recent and information publication o
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Acanthoscurria
The Acanthoscurria genus is found throughout South America, spanning several countries. Some species have been identified in the West Indies. This genus includes 19 accepted species with several in synonymy and nomina dubia. The most common species in the hobby is A. geniculata (Brazilian whiteknee). Genus and species: Acanthoscurria sp. maldonadoensis (undescribed, not even listed as nomina dubia) Common name: Maldonado birdeater Given name: Mahogany This species is allegedl
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