The Ecuadorian Red Bloom Tarantula is a large, impressive Pamphobeteus with bold growth, a powerful feeding response, and beautiful reddish bloom tones as it matures. This is a heavy-bodied New World terrestrial with the size, appetite, and dramatic presence that make Pamphobeteus one of my favorite genera to raise.
| Special Notices | |
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| Setup notes | This is a large, heavy-bodied terrestrial tarantula, so I keep the enclosure low, secure, and practical. Give it generous floor space, a sturdy hide, moderate substrate depth, and no excessive climbing height. A fall can be dangerous for a spider this big. |
| Keeper note | Pamphobeteus vespertinus is best kept as a hands-off display tarantula. Expect speed, a strong feeding response, and urticating hairs when stressed. I use tools during maintenance and give this genus space to move safely. |
| Care videos | Check out the Urban Tarantulas YouTube channel for care, setup, feeding, and show-and-tell videos to see how we keep and feed our tarantulas: Urban Tarantulas on YouTube. |
| 🧰 Care Details | |
| 🌡️ Temperature | Keep around 72–78°F (22–26°C). Pamphobeteus generally do better with stable, moderate warmth instead of being pushed too hot. Warmer temperatures usually mean faster growth because they molt more often, but I avoid overheating this genus. |
| 💧 Humidity | Aim for about 75–80% inside the enclosure with good ventilation. Keep the substrate slightly moisture-retentive, especially for babies and juveniles, but never swampy or stale. Water dishes are optional; I usually skip them except for larger species. |
| 🏠 Housing | |
| 🏠 Babies | Use a 1–4 oz deli cup with needle ventilation and enough substrate for security. Add a tiny hide or starter burrow, and keep one area lightly moist without soaking the cup. FREE container at checkout IF requested; not included otherwise. |
| 🏠 Juveniles | Larger specimens should be kept in an enclosure around 2–3x body size, flexible by the individual. Give juveniles floor space, a secure hide, moderate substrate depth, and good ventilation. They can grow quickly, so be ready to size them up as they molt. |
| 🏠 Adults | Adults need a secure terrestrial enclosure with generous floor space, a sturdy hide, and enough substrate to cushion the spider and support light digging. Keep the height conservative because adult Pamphobeteus are large, heavy-bodied tarantulas that should not have a long fall. |
| General Diet | |
| 🍽️ Feeding | Crickets + roaches work great, especially Dubia, Red Runner, and Lobster roaches. Babies should get baby crickets or baby roaches. If prey is too big, pre-kill by crushing the head, leave it, then remove leftovers or bolus. Occasional treat for super large specimens: pinky/hopper mouse or feeder lizard very sparingly; excess calcium can cause constipation/pooping issues. We never use pinhead crickets because they do not provide enough protein. |
| In-depth Facts | |
| 🕷️ Latin name / Scientific name | Pamphobeteus vespertinus |
| 📛 Common name(s) | Ecuadorian Red Bloom Tarantula, Red Bloom Tarantula. |
| 🌡️ Temperature | 72–78°F (22–26°C), with stable, moderate warmth and no excessive heat. |
| 💧 Humidity | About 75–80% inside the enclosure. Keep it lightly humid with airflow, avoiding both swampy substrate and bone-dry conditions. |
| 📍 Locale | Ecuador. I treat this species as a humid South American terrestrial that appreciates moderate temperatures, moisture-retentive substrate, and steady ventilation. |
| 🏷️ Category | New World terrestrial; large, fast-growing, moisture-loving, opportunistic burrower with a strong feeding response and impressive display size. |
| 📏 Size | Females commonly reach about 7–8 inches DLS; males are usually smaller and leggier, around 6–7 inches DLS. Max size is typically around 8 inches DLS, with females becoming thick, powerful, and impressive. |
| 🪶 Urticating hairs | Yes. This New World terrestrial can kick urticating hairs when stressed, and larger specimens can be surprisingly quick. I recommend using tools during maintenance and keeping handling to a minimum. |
| ⏳ Growth rate | Fast for a large terrestrial. Babies and juveniles can put on size quickly with regular feeding, steady moisture, and stable temperatures because they molt more often. |
| 🧭 Life span | Females commonly live around 12–18+ years with good care; males usually live about 4–6 years. |
| 🍽️ Feeding | Usually a strong, bold eater. Offer appropriately sized crickets or roaches, and remove uneaten prey or bolus. Pamphobeteus often grow quickly when fed consistently, but I still avoid overfeeding heavy-bodied specimens. |
| 🎯 Recommended levels | Great for lovers of large, colorful New World terrestrials who want size, appetite, speed, and dramatic growth. Best for keepers comfortable with bigger tarantulas, and a confident hands-off approach. |
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| ⚠️ Safety Disclaimer | |
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Safety Disclaimer: Tarantula bites are extremely rare, and there are no recorded human fatalities. Venom strength varies by species; Old World tarantulas are usually more potent than New World tarantulas, with Poecilotheria known for especially strong venom. Larger tarantulas may also deliver more venom. If bitten, stay calm. Most symptoms fade within minutes to hours, though potent species may cause discomfort for up to a week. In 13 years, I’ve only been bitten once, and symptoms were gone after one week. Handling is at your own risk. I’m not responsible for bites or injuries. Always prioritize your safety and the tarantula’s well-being. |
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