Lava Tarantula (Davus sp. 'Panama') Care Guide
Small doesn't mean boring. The lava tarantula tops out under four inches, and it spends its whole life looking like it's smoldering.
What Is a Lava Tarantula?
The Lava Tarantula, or Davus sp. 'Panama', is a dwarf terrestrial tarantula native to Panama. Adults display a striking red-orange glowing against black legs and a black carapace, and they're a heavy-webbing species that turns a simple enclosure into a dense sheet of silk in a matter of weeks. Spiderlings hatch out pink and black, shifting into that signature red-orange as they grow. Browse in-stock lava tarantulas here — this is one of our most popular dwarf species and sizes move quickly.
Why Hobbyists Love the Lava Tarantula
- Big color, small footprint. A full adult enclosure is a fraction of the size a 6-inch species needs, which makes this a great pick if space is limited.
- A genuinely heavy webber. Few dwarf species build web structures this dense — it's a display animal despite the small size.
- Medium-to-fast growth for a dwarf species. Full grown in about 2 to 4 years, which is quick compared to a lot of the hobby's slow-growing giants.
- Calm, but alert. This species settles into a routine quickly and isn't flighty in the way some dwarf terrestrials can be, even though it reacts fast when it wants to.
Lava Tarantula Size and Growth
This species hatches out tiny — 0.33 to 0.5 inches — and stays genuinely small as an adult, maxing out around 3.5 inches in diagonal leg span. Growth runs medium to fast for the genus, with animals reaching full size in roughly 2 to 4 years.
Enclosure & Housing Setup
Because this is a dwarf species, it never needs a large enclosure, even as an adult. Spiderlings (0.33–0.75 inches) do well in a small vial or deli-cup-style enclosure with at least 1.5 inches of substrate to burrow into — our own Square Invertebrate Enclosure (4.5" x 4.5" x 3", $8) is a budget option we use in-house for growouts, and it comfortably holds this species all the way through the juvenile stage since it's rated up to about 2.5 inches. Juveniles (0.75–1.5 inches) move up to roughly 5x5x4 inches, and full adults (up to 3.5 inches) are comfortable in an 8x8x5 inch enclosure with at least 1.5 inches of substrate for burrowing and anchoring webbing.
Keep temperatures in the 75–85°F range — this is a tropical species, and running it too cool is the one thing to avoid. Keep the substrate from ever fully drying out; this species isn't as forgiving of a bone-dry enclosure as some of the more arid terrestrials, so a water dish as backup is worth having even at smaller sizes.
Feeding
Spiderlings take pinhead to 1/16–1/8 inch crickets every 4–5 days. Juveniles move to 1/4 inch prey on a similar schedule, and adults take appropriately sized crickets roughly once a week — expect a strong, visible feeding response, which is half the fun of a heavy-webbing species like this one.
Is the Lava Tarantula Good for Beginners?
Yes. It's small, hardy, fast-growing for a dwarf, and the webbing gives you constant visible activity in the enclosure. It settles quickly and doesn't ask for much beyond consistent warmth and humidity — a genuinely easy species once those two basics are dialed in.
Tips When Buying a Lava Tarantula for Sale
Confirm captive-bred origin and check the exact size band, since the difference between a 0.33" spiderling and a 0.75" one matters more on an animal this small. This 0.33–0.5" spiderling is in stock now at $119 if you want to start at hatch size and watch the full color change happen.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big does a lava tarantula get?
Adults max out around 3.5 inches in diagonal leg span — a true dwarf species.
Is the lava tarantula the same as Davus sp. Panama?
Yes — Lava Tarantula is the common name for Davus sp. 'Panama'.
What color are lava tarantula spiderlings?
Spiderlings hatch out pink and black, gradually shifting into the adult's signature red-orange as they grow.
Is the lava tarantula aggressive?
No — it's calm day to day, though quick to react and retreat if disturbed, which is typical for this genus rather than a sign of aggression.
How long do lava tarantulas live?
Females live around 10 years; males live a shorter 2 to 3 years.
What Keepers Are Saying
Lava tarantula buyers rate this species 4.6 out of 5 across 9 verified reviews:
"Received the tiniest little sling in perfect health. He has already had two meals with us, we are excited to watch the growth progression. Highly recommend this A+ store." — Melly, verified buyer
"Fast shipping and all five spiders arrived beautiful and healthy, now it's just the waiting game, watching them grow into their adult colors! I'll definitely be ordering again!" — Shea C., verified buyer
"A well started sling. Patterns point to it being an authentic Davus sp. Panama. Arrived healthy and is doing well in his new enclosure. Excellent work from the Exotics Unlimited crew." — Bryan, verified buyer
A Few Ways to Grow the Collection
If the dwarf-and-heavy-webber combination is what sold you, our other Davus species carry the same webbing behavior in different colorways. And if you want the same warm red-orange tones in a larger display animal, the Brazilian Black and its Grammostola relatives are worth a look for contrast — same easy terrestrial care, completely different look. (Cross-link this to the live Brazilian Black guide URL once it's published.)
Reviewed and written by William West, founder of Exotics Unlimited and keeper of 180+ tarantula species for over 20 years.
