| ⚠️ Special Notices |
Large and energetic: Phormictopus sp. Sabana can be fast, defensive, and quick to react when disturbed. I recommend treating this as a display animal and giving it a secure enclosure rather than planning on routine handling.
Setup: This is a terrestrial tarantula that benefits from plenty of floor space and enough substrate to establish a retreat. Good ventilation is important, and the enclosure should never be swampy or bone-dry.
Care & setup 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.
Watch Urban Tarantulas on YouTube
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| 🕷️ Care Details |
| 🌡️ Temperature |
75–85°F (24–29°C). Warmer temperatures usually mean faster growth because the tarantula molts more often. |
| 💧 Humidity |
Around 75–80% inside the enclosure with good ventilation. Keep the substrate appropriately moist without allowing the enclosure to become swampy or bone-dry. |
| 🏠 Housing |
| Babies |
A 1–4 oz deli cup with needle ventilation works well. Provide enough substrate for a small retreat. A FREE container is available at checkout IF requested; it is not included otherwise. |
| Juveniles |
Use a terrestrial enclosure approximately 2–3x the tarantula’s body size, with enough substrate for burrowing or establishing a secure retreat. Increase enclosure size as the specimen grows. |
| Adults |
Provide a spacious terrestrial enclosure around 2–3x the tarantula’s body size, with plenty of floor space and enough substrate for a secure retreat. Large adults should have a sturdy, escape-proof setup. |
| 🍽️ General Diet |
Crickets + roaches (Dubia, Red Runner, Lobster) make an excellent staple diet. Babies should receive baby crickets or appropriately sized baby roaches. If prey is too big, pre-kill it by crushing the head, leave it in the enclosure, then remove leftovers or the bolus.
We never use pinhead crickets because they do not provide enough protein. For super large specimens, an occasional pinky/hopper mouse or feeder lizard can be offered very sparingly; excess calcium can cause constipation and pooping issues.
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| 📚 In-depth Facts |
| 🕷️ Latin name / Scientific name |
Phormictopus sp. "Sabana" |
| 📛 Common name(s) |
Sabana Phormictopus |
| 🌡️ Temperature |
75–85°F (24–29°C) |
| 💧 Humidity |
75–80% inside the enclosure with good ventilation. |
| 📍 Locale |
Dominican Republic, Caribbean; the exact locality and taxonomic status of this undescribed form can vary by source. |
| 🏷️ Category |
New World terrestrial; large-growing species that may burrow or establish a secure retreat. |
| 📏 Size |
Female: approximately 7–8 inch DLS; Male: approximately 5–7 inch DLS. Exact maximum size is uncertain for this undescribed species. |
| 🪶 Urticating hairs |
Yes. This New World tarantula can use urticating hairs defensively and may kick them when disturbed. |
| ⏳ Growth rate |
Fast. Phormictopus are known for strong growth rates, making Sabana an exciting species to watch develop into a large adult. |
| 🧭 Life span |
Female: potentially 10–15+ years with proper care. Male: typically much shorter after maturity. Exact longevity for this undescribed form is uncertain. |
| 🍽️ Feeding |
Crickets and roaches, including Dubia, Red Runner, and Lobster roaches. Babies take appropriately sized baby crickets and roaches. Large adults can take substantial prey, but oversized meals should be avoided. |
| 🎯 Recommended levels |
Great for keepers who love large Caribbean tarantulas, fast growth, and bold feeding responses. Sabana is an exciting choice for collectors who appreciate big terrestrial Phormictopus and don't mind a tarantula with plenty of attitude. |
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| ⚠️ Safety Disclaimer |
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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