| Special Notices |
| Setup notes |
This is a fast, powerful arboreal species that appreciates height, cork bark, anchor points, and a secure retreat. I recommend a well-ventilated vertical setup with slightly moisture-retentive substrate and plenty of structure for webbing. |
| Keeper note |
Psalmopoeus cambridgei is a fantastic display tarantula, but it is not a handling species. Expect speed, strong feeding responses, and occasional defensive posturing, especially during rehousing or enclosure maintenance. |
| 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 |
75–85°F (24–29°C). Warmer temperatures usually mean faster growth because they molt more often, but I prefer stable warmth over extreme heat. |
| 💧 Humidity |
Aim for about 75–80% inside the enclosure with good airflow. Keep part of the substrate lightly moist, avoid stagnant conditions, and never let the setup become swampy or bone dry for long periods. Water dishes are optional; I usually skip them except for larger species. |
| 🏠 Housing |
| 🏠 Babies |
Use a vial up to 5 inches tall x 2 inches in diameter with ventilation. Add a little substrate, a small piece of cork bark or fake foliage, and light moisture in one area. FREE vial at checkout IF requested; not included otherwise. |
| 🏠 Juveniles |
Juveniles over about 2 inches do well in a 7–8 inch tall arboreal enclosure with cork bark, fake plants, and anchor points for webbing. Open carefully and give yourself space, because this species can move very quickly. |
| 🏠 Adults |
Adults should have a 12–16 inch tall arboreal enclosure with vertical cork bark, strong ventilation, and a secure hide area. This species gets large, webs heavily, and looks excellent when given a clean vertical display setup. |
| 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 |
Psalmopoeus cambridgei |
| 📛 Common name(s) |
Trinidad Chevron Tarantula, Chevron Tarantula. |
| 🌡️ Temperature |
75–85°F (24–29°C), with steady warmth and strong airflow. |
| 💧 Humidity |
About 75–80% inside the enclosure. Keep it humid but breathable, with no swampy substrate or stale air. |
| 📍 Locale |
Trinidad, in the Caribbean. This species is strongly associated with warm, humid forested habitats and arboreal retreats. |
| 🏷️ Category |
New World arboreal; fast, web-heavy, defensive when stressed, and best kept with vertical bark and secure hiding areas. |
| 📏 Size |
Females commonly reach about 7–8+ inches DLS; males are usually smaller, around 4.5–5.5 inches DLS. Large females can be very impressive display animals. |
| 🪶 Urticating hairs |
Psalmopoeus do not have the typical kickable urticating hairs seen in many New World tarantulas. Instead, this species relies on speed, threat postures, and retreating into its webbed hide. |
| ⏳ Growth rate |
Fast. Babies usually grow quickly with steady feeding, warm conditions, and proper moisture because they molt more often. |
| 🧭 Life span |
Females commonly live around 10–15 years with good care; males usually live about 3–5 years. |
| 🍽️ Feeding |
Usually a bold, reliable eater. Offer appropriately sized crickets or roaches, and remove uneaten prey or bolus. This species often takes food aggressively once settled. |
| 🎯 Recommended levels |
Excellent for keepers who love large New World arboreals with dramatic feeding responses and beautiful display behavior. |
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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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