Origin And Natural Habitat
The Orange Tree Spider, also known as the Orange Tree Tarantula and the Tapinauchenius Plumipes, originates from South America, specifically Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and northern Brazil. Its natural habitat in the wild is rainforests, where it hangs out in trees and bushes due to its arboreal nature.
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum | Chelicerata |
| Class | Arachnida |
| Order | Araneae |
| Infraorder | Mygalomorphae |
| Family | Theraphosidae |
| Genus | Tapinauchenius |
| Species | Tapinauchenius Plumipes |
Species Overview
| Common Name | Orange Tree Spider |
| Other Name | Orange Tree Tarantula |
| Origin | South America |
| Category | Old World |
| Lifestyle | Arboreal |
| Temperament | Skittish |
| Minimum Tank Size | 30cm High |
| Temperature | 20°C and 28°C |
| Humidity | 70% – 80% |
| Diet | Carnivorous |
| Leg Span | 5 inches |
| Urticating Hairs | No |
| Venomous | Yes |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Lifespan | Females: 18 years Males: 4 years |
| Experience Required | Intermediate |
Appearance And Size
The Orange Tree Spider is a ridiculously eye-catching tarantula due to its distinctive color. The carapace of this spider is uniquely gray/green, which blends really well with its general orange color. This color helps it hide in the warm-colored forests it calls home.
In terms of size, the Orange Tree Spider is not super big like some other kinds of tarantulas. On average, its body is about 5 inches long, although it usually looks bigger due to its long legs.
Housing
It’s important to consider these spiders’ arboreal nature when you want to house them. This means that tall enclosures are more suitable for them than wider ones. An enclosure with a height of at least 30cm is recommended for them. However, feel free to also go for something taller if you want to. A cage that’s 45cm high is perfect for adult orange tree spiders.
Alternatively, Orange Tree spiderlings can be easily kept in smaller enclosures like plastic cups or tubes, as they don’t need a lot of room. But remember, it’s essential to ensure that adult orange tree spiders and their young ones have enclosures that allow proper airflow.
Enclosure’s Decorations
Orange Tree Spiders, being arboreal creatures, greatly benefit from having a couple of decorations in their enclosure. Including a hollow cork bark or a similar item they can climb on and use as a hiding spot whenever they wish is recommended. Adding artificial and natural plants can further enhance the aesthetic appeal of the enclosure. Placing stuff in their enclosure also mimics their natural habitat and encourages their natural arboreal behavior.
Substrate
Having a substrate layer in your Orange Tree Spider enclosure is also essential. This serves two purposes: maintaining the proper humidity levels in the enclosure and imitating their natural environment. However, it’s worth noting that Orange Tree Spiders don’t burrow, so there’s no need for the substrate to be overly deep. A suitable substrate mix can be created using materials like coco fiber, orchid bark chips, sphagnum moss, potting soil, and peat moss.
Water And Humidity
Orange Tree Spiders, like all tarantulas, need water to stay hydrated. To ensure they don’t become dehydrated, it’s important to provide them with a water source. You can achieve this by placing a water bowl in their enclosure or regularly misting it. Attaching the water bowl to one of the decorations in the enclosure is advisable, as these spiders tend to spend more time higher up and might not notice a bowl placed on the enclosure floor. However, using a water bowl isn’t recommended for young spiderlings due to their small size. Instead, misting the enclosure lightly allows them to drink water droplets from the walls. But be cautious not to overdo the misting, as excessive moisture can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can harm the spiders.
Interestingly, adult Orange Tree Spiders might prefer drinking water droplets from the enclosure walls rather than using the water bowl. As a good practice, it’s recommended to lightly mist the enclosure once a week, regardless of whether your spider is an adult, juvenile, or spiderling. This misting routine, along with having a water bowl, helps maintain the humidity levels in the enclosure around the preferred range of 70% to 80%.
Heating And Temperature
Orange Tree Spiders feel most comfortable when the temperature in their enclosure stays between 20°C and 28°C. To achieve this, place a supplemental heat source like a heat mat or a space heater close to their enclosure. Ensuring they are kept in an enclosure that’s always within this range is sure to keep them healthy and alive.
Diet And Nutrition
Orange Tree Spiders can consume various types of feeders. This includes dubia roaches, crickets, and grasshoppers. For adult spiders, it’s a good practice to provide them with a meal at least once a week. On the other hand, spiderlings should be fed every four days. Ensuring that the feeders are appropriately sized and smaller than the spiders themselves is essential. This size difference makes it easier for the spiders to catch and handle their prey effectively.
Furthermore, adjusting the amount of food based on the spider’s size is also essential. Increasing the spider’s feeding frequency is best if it gets too thin. Conversely, reducing the feeding frequency is a good idea if the spider gets overweight. Lastly, always remember to remove any live or dead food from its enclosure after your Orange Tree Spider is done eating. This practice helps keep the enclosure clean and maintains a healthy environment for your spider.
Social
It’s advisable to provide separate enclosures for each Orange Tree Spider if you have more than one. These spiders have a tendency to be cannibalistic, which means they might see other spiders as potential prey. That’s why it’s best to keep them housed separately, ensuring they’re far away from each other. This practice ensures their safety and respects their natural behaviors and instincts.
Behavior And Temperament
Orange Tree Spiders are pretty skittish, fast and sometimes even jump too. However, they tend to become less skittish as they grow older. They also tend to bite if provoked, even though they are not inherently defensive or aggressive. Nevertheless, they lack urticating hairs – which are typically used for defence in some other tarantula species.
Handling
It’s best not to handle or at least be very cautious with the orange tree spider to prevent any chances of the spider escaping. This is because of the tarantula’s ability to move quickly and potentially getaway.
Health And Lifespan
Orange Tree Spiders, when housed in a clean and well-ventilated enclosure that maintains optimal humidity and temperature levels, tend to live for more extended periods. Ensuring a consistent supply of nutritious feeders and access to water for hydration is also vital to prevent hunger and dehydration.
Female Orange Tree Spiders can live for as long as 18 years, while males generally have a shorter lifespan of around 4 years.
Price
In terms of cost, acquiring an orange tree spider typically ranges between $50 and $100. The price can vary depending on factors such as availability, age, and specific characteristics of the spider.
