| ⚠️ Special Notices |
Bold Caribbean species: Phormictopus can be fast, defensive, and energetic when disturbed. I recommend giving this tarantula a secure terrestrial enclosure and treating it as a display animal rather than expecting routine handling.
Setup: Provide adequate substrate for a retreat, plenty of floor space, and good ventilation. Keep the enclosure appropriately humid without allowing it to become 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 making the enclosure swampy or allowing it to become 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 creating a secure retreat. Increase the enclosure 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 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. "Dominican Purple" |
| 📛 Common name(s) |
Dominican Purple Tarantula |
| 🌡️ Temperature |
75–85°F (24–29°C) |
| 💧 Humidity |
75–80% inside the enclosure with good ventilation. |
| 📍 Locale |
Dominican Republic, Caribbean |
| 🏷️ Category |
New World terrestrial; large-growing species with a strong feeding response and potential for burrowing or establishing a secure retreat. |
| 📏 Size |
Female: approximately 7–8 inch DLS; Male: approximately 5–7 inch DLS. Individual maximum size can vary. |
| 🪶 Urticating hairs |
Yes. This New World tarantula can use urticating hairs defensively and may kick them when disturbed. |
| ⏳ Growth rate |
Fast. Phormictopus can grow quickly with consistent feeding and appropriate conditions, making this a rewarding species for keepers who enjoy watching a tarantula develop into a large adult. |
| 🧭 Life span |
Female: potentially 10–15+ years with proper care. Male: typically much shorter after maturity. Exact longevity can vary by individual. |
| 🍽️ 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 colorful Caribbean tarantulas, strong feeding responses, and large terrestrial species. The developing purple coloration makes this a particularly exciting choice for collectors who want something that really stands out. |
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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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