Davus sp. 'panama' (Lava Tarantula) 0.5-0.75"

Davus sp. 'Panama' (Lava Tarantula)

This 0.5 to 0.75 inch Lava Tarantula sling gives new keepers a bit more size to start with while still catching the full color journey this species is known for. At this stage it clearly shows the pink and black spiderling pattern, pink legs set against darker abdominal markings, with the vivid red "lava" look still ahead as it moves through the juvenile stage. Davus sp. 'Panama' stays visually active at every size, laying down webbing and staying out in view rather than disappearing into hiding for long stretches. This new world tarantula for sale is a compact dwarf with a strong feeding response, a great pick for anyone who wants a baby tarantula that grows fast and shows color early.

Why do hobbyists keep Davus sp. 'Panama'?

• Stunning Coloration: A clean pink and black pattern at this stage, already hinting at the deep red the species is named for.
• Drastic Color Change: The shift from pink spiderling to vivid red juvenile is one of the biggest draws of catching this species at a young size.
• Heavy Webber: Builds visible webbing early on, and only gets more active with it as it grows.
• Fairly Docile Temperament: Generally calm but a touch skittish, more likely to retreat into its web than stand its ground when disturbed.
• Great Feeding Response: A reliable, consistent feeder that shows steady, noticeable growth with regular care.

How should Davus sp. 'Panama' be kept?

• Adult Size: Reaches around 3.5 inches at full leg span, a smaller, stout bodied dwarf that still carries strong visual presence.
• Enclosure: House this sling in a 4 by 4 by 3 inch enclosure with about 1.5 inches of substrate for shallow burrowing and anchor points for webbing. This cage is sized for a third of adult size, not the sling's current inch or so, giving it real room to grow before the first rehouse.
• Rehousing: Two rehouses total for life. Next is an 8 by 8 by 5 inch enclosure with about 2.5 inches of substrate around the 1.2 inch mark, then a 12 by 12 by 8 inch adult setup with 4 inches of substrate around the 2.3 inch mark. This species grows quickly, often reaching full size in 1 to 2 years, so expect roughly 6 to 8 months out of this first cage.
• Temperature: Keep between 65 to 75 degrees F.
• Humidity: Maintain moderate to slightly higher humidity with good airflow, keeping the substrate slightly moist rather than letting it dry out fully. Good ventilation is critical. Cross ventilation works best, but ample top ventilation can also be effective as long as the enclosure is not over-misted.
• Water: A shallow textured water dish works well, something they can grip when climbing out.
• Diet: Prey length runs about a quarter of the leg span, matching the carapace (head). At this size that is about a 1/8 to 3/16 inch cricket or roach nymph, placed on the webbing for the best response. Feed at least once a week.
• Temperament: Calm, with a quick retreat into webbing if startled, typical for this dwarf terrestrial at a young size.

Are there any additional notes or considerations?

• Sling Sensitivity: Spiderlings are the most sensitive to inconsistent moisture levels, so steady conditions from the start set this species up for easy, fast growth.
• Moisture Matters: A slightly moist substrate, never wet, helps hold humidity, encourages regular webbing, and keeps this dwarf tarantula visible more often.
• Unsexed Offering: Ships unsexed, with roughly even odds of male or female at this stage.
• Captive Bred: All Tarantulas are 100% captive bred.

Listing Notes

• A step up from our smallest spiderling size, this variant still keeps the price low while giving new keepers a bit more animal to start with. A solid choice for anyone who wants to catch the pink to red color change from an early stage without going quite as small as our tiniest slings.