Lava Tarantula / Theraphosinae sp. Panama / Davus sp. Panama Care Sheet

The Lava Tarantula is essentially the most lovely species of tarantula on the planet so far as I’m involved. The frequent title completely describes the unimaginable coloration, consisting of a fiery orange/pink contrasted in opposition to jet black. It actually must be seen to be believed.

The Lava tarantula continues to be an actual rarity within the passion, although a restricted variety of specimens have turn into accessible in recent times. Their reputation and rarity, nonetheless, imply they promote out virtually as quickly as they turn into accessible. It is a tarantula species you actually have to be on the hunt for; your probabilities of simply stumbling throughout one at a pet retailer or reptile present are slim. 

Simply the identical, the Lava tarantula comes at a premium value, making it one of the crucial costly theraphosids within the passion proper now. Because of this it’s in all probability not one to think about as a primary pet tarantula; as an alternative get some expertise underneath your belt earlier than you drop a large sum of cash on one among these beauties. 

That stated, for these with the money and the expertise, in my view they’re value each penny. 

At current I’ve 7 specimens of assorted sizes, so on this article I’ll describe my private experiences to this point. Hopefully if you happen to’re significantly contemplating selecting one up then the next will show helpful.

Theraphosinae sp. Panama or Davus sp. Panama?

The Lava tarantula is but to be scientifically described. That’s to say it doesn’t actually have a “correct” Latin title at current. As an alternative, hobbyists have given it a short lived title so at the very least we all know we’re speaking about the identical spider. 

Traditionally the species has been recognized by the moniker of Theraphosinae sp. Panama. That’s, consultants believed it was probably an undescribed member of the Theraphosinae genus. The Panama bit is self-explanatory. 

Extra not too long ago, nonetheless, taxonomists learning the species more and more consider this tarantula belongs within the Davus genus. Therefore this species is more and more turning into generally known as Davus sp. Panama within the passion. 

Whereas Davus sp. Panama is now the generally-accepted title, older articles nonetheless seek advice from Theraphosinae sp. Panama. To the reader, you’ll be able to assume each of those names seek advice from the identical species – the Lava tarantula. 

Housing the Lava Tarantula

Lava tarantulas are fairly straightforward to deal with in my expertise, with no particular necessities being required. 

Most specimens bought right here within the UK are spiderlings, so require a really small container. The spiderlings of Davus sp. Panama are miniscule too; after dropping a lot cash on one you is perhaps fairly disenchanted with its measurement when it arrives! 

However, the unimaginable coloration is current from the outset, so this isn’t a species the place that you must watch for a 12 months or two till these beautiful grownup colours begin showing. 

My spiderlings are presently housed in 2 oz clear plastic deli cups. Air flow is supplied by pushing a dissecting needle via the facet a couple of occasions. Substrate-wise I’m presently utilizing coir. Because the spiderlings are so small, the finer the granules, the higher. It is a species that likes to burrow, so giving an inexpensive depth permits for this. 

Juvenile specimens are saved in an identical method, however clearly in bigger containers. For the juveniles my desire is a 16 oz deli cup, once more with air flow added. 

Temperature-wise, I attempt to maintain my specimens above 20’C / 68’F they usually appear to be thriving underneath these circumstances. 

To take care of this I’ve a reptile vivarium into which all of the deli cups are positioned. A single warmth pad is positioned contained in the vivarium, hooked up to 1 finish of the tank. 

A thermostat hooked up to the heater prevents the danger of overheating, and I take advantage of digital thermometers at each ends of the vivarium to observe temperatures each day.   

Adults attain a leg span of round 4” (10cm) so they’re thought of a dwarf tarantula species. Which means that adults will be efficiently housed in moderately modest cages. One thing no smaller than 8” / 20cm sq. works properly, with sufficient depth that your spider can burrow into their substrate and disappear from view. 

Meals, Feeding & Progress Charges

Lava tarantulas have a very unbelievable feeding response. Not solely do they virtually immediately bounce onto any livefood I supply them, however they’re in a position and keen to deal with surprisingly massive prey gadgets. 

To this point my specimens have solely ever gone off their meals when a molt is approaching, which appears to occur each 3-4 months on common with my setup. Respect that completely different temperatures and feeding regimes will have an effect on how typically tarantula molt.  

Lava tarantulas will fortunately eat all the usual feeder bugs, although be aware that the spiderlings are so tiny that solely the tiniest bugs will work. 

My spiderlings get hatchling black crickets. Because the spiders develop, so does the scale of the livefood. Adults can take full-sized crickets with out problem. 

I feed all my specimens, regardless of measurement, roughly as soon as per week, and consider this species has a moderate-to-fast charge of development.

Solely the bigger specimens, in greater cages, have small water bowls. For slings and juveniles I flippantly mist one facet of the deli cup so there are water droplets to drink from. The containers are allowed to dry out between purposes. 

Temperament and Perspective

To this point I’ve solely noticed one menace posture from my Lava tarantulas. And that was a specimen in premolt who acquired aggravated with a cricket. I’ve by no means had one directed at me. 

Typically I’d say this species is shy and skittish, extra more likely to run off than to face its floor. They’re not overly fast, in order that they’re fairly straightforward to work with. 

I don’t deal with any of my tarantulas, however even when I did I wouldn’t take into account it with this species as I wouldn’t wish to threat any hurt coming to such a uncommon and costly tarantula. 

Conclusion

Davus sp. Panama is a thoughts blowingly beautiful tarantula with a hefty price ticket. In the event you’ve acquired some expertise and the readies then I extremely advocate you take into account selecting up a specimen. I’ve discovered them straightforward to maintain, with an important feeding response and an honest development charge.

In brief, this species is really up there as one of the crucial thrilling tarantulas presently within the passion and is one thing that’ll convey you no finish of delight taking care of. 

I have been protecting and breeding unique pets for over 25 years. I presently dwell within the East Midlands within the UK, and maintain a group of a number of hundred tarantulas, mantis and extra.

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