| ⚠️ Special Notices |
Massive terrestrial species: Megascopula needs room to grow into its enormous adult size. Give it a secure terrestrial enclosure with plenty of floor space, appropriate substrate depth, and good ventilation.
Keepers who appreciate big tarantulas: This is a species I would keep as a display animal and respect for its size, speed, and defensive capabilities. Avoid unnecessary handling, especially with a mature specimen.
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 |
Around 75–78°F (24–26°C). Xenesthis generally does well at moderate temperatures. 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. Give the sling enough substrate to establish 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 adequate substrate for burrowing or creating a secure retreat. Increase the enclosure as this giant grows. |
| Adults |
A very spacious terrestrial enclosure is recommended, approximately 2–3x the tarantula’s body size, with substantial floor space and appropriate substrate depth. A mature Megascopula is a genuinely large tarantula and deserves a sturdy, secure enclosure. |
| 🍽️ 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 |
Xenesthis sp. "Megascopula" |
| 📛 Common name(s) |
Massive Fluffy Giant |
| 🌡️ Temperature |
75–78°F (24–26°C) |
| 💧 Humidity |
75–80% inside the enclosure with good ventilation. |
| 📍 Locale |
South America; exact locality for this undescribed Xenesthis is uncertain. |
| 🏷️ Category |
New World terrestrial; large, heavy-bodied species that may burrow or establish a secure retreat. |
| 📏 Size |
Female: approximately 9–10+ inch DLS; Male: typically smaller, around 7–8+ inch DLS. Exact maximum size is uncertain because this is an undescribed species. |
| 🪶 Urticating hairs |
Yes. Xenesthis are New World tarantulas capable of using urticating hairs defensively when disturbed. |
| ⏳ Growth rate |
Fast to moderate-fast. Large Xenesthis can put on impressive size with consistent feeding and appropriate conditions. |
| 🧭 Life span |
Female: potentially 15+ years with proper care. Male: typically much shorter after maturity. Exact longevity for this undescribed species is uncertain. |
| 🍽️ Feeding |
Crickets and roaches, including Dubia, Red Runner, and Lobster roaches. Babies take appropriately sized baby crickets and roaches. Large adults can consume substantial prey, but prey should still be appropriately sized. |
| 🎯 Recommended levels |
Perfect for lovers of massive New World tarantulas. If your goal is a truly giant, fluffy terrestrial species that can become the centerpiece of a collection, Megascopula is an exciting choice. |
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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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