Overview

The Trinidad Dwarf Tiger is a genuinely small tarantula with an orange heart-shaped abdominal marking. Adult leg span is approximately 4–5 cm, so it needs a dwarf-species setup rather than a large standard tarantula tank.

Origin

Trinidad and northern South America. It lives close to the ground and makes burrows and silk-lined retreats.

Housing

Keep singly. Our recommended adult enclosure is around 15 × 15 × 15 cm, with 5–8 cm of burrow-holding substrate, a small cork hide and low web anchors. Tiny spiderlings need a much smaller ventilated container so food and moisture remain accessible. Check every lid seam and air hole: this species can escape through surprisingly small gaps.

Temperature & Moisture

Aim for 22–24°C. Keep the lower substrate slightly moist in one area while allowing the surface elsewhere to dry. Avoid both waterlogging and complete drying of a tiny spiderling enclosure. Provide a miniature shallow water dish where it fits.

Feeding

Use fruit flies, pinhead crickets or very small roach nymphs sized to the spider. Tiny individuals can scavenge a small piece of freshly killed cricket. Offer small meals roughly twice weekly to spiderlings and about weekly to settled larger specimens, adjusting to appetite. Remove remains the next day.

Behaviour & Care

Quick, fragile and often hidden. Do not dig it out to check on it or attempt handling. Its small size makes falls and oversized live prey especially hazardous. Remove uneaten live prey within 24 hours and immediately if moulting is suspected. Do not disturb a spider on its back or open a sealed retreat. After a moult, wait until the fangs are dark and fully hardened before feeding; this takes longer in larger spiders.

Stock Information

The original S label is retained; exact size and sex are not confirmed by this stock description.

Please note

Live Animals Are Click and Collect Only. Order online for collection at Newlands Home & Garden Centre, Clondalkin. We do not ship live animals.