Iridopelma hirsutum (Amazon Ribbed Tarantula)

The Amazon Ribbed Tarantula, or Iridopelma hirsutum, is an arboreal tarantula from Brazil, named for the ribbed texture to its patterning. Spiderlings hatch out with a green carapace (head) and legs, with lateral striping on the abdomen much like other species in the genus at that stage. As they grow, juveniles develop bright red striping on the abdomen that deepens into a rosy red, then settles into the adult's dark coloration, with an orange and black lateral-striped abdomen. This species only grows to about 4.5 to 5 inches in diagonal leg span, with a medium to fast growth rate common for the genus. As with most pink toe tarantulas, expect females to live 10 to 15 years, while males typically live only 2 to 3. This species is docile like the rest of the genus, though still quick and capable of sudden movement like most arboreals, and it is perfect for hobbyists who love pink toes but want something a little less common. Grab this docile new world tarantula for sale today, offered here as a Spiderling.

Why do hobbyists keep the Amazon Ribbed Tarantula?

• Colorful Spiderlings: Even as a spiderling this species already shows a green carapace and legs with lateral abdominal striping, rather than a plain brown, giving it its own early look well before the adult color comes in.
• Drastic Color Change: The shift from a green, striped spiderling to a red-striped juvenile and finally a dark, orange and black striped adult is one of the more noticeable transformations in the genus, so you get several very different looking animals over its life.
• Heavy Webber: This species is a heavy webber and builds thick retreats in the upper part of the enclosure, giving it plenty of presence even when it is tucked away.
• Docile Temperament: Iridopelma hirsutum is usually docile, though still quick and capable of sudden movement like most arboreals.
• Uncommon in the Hobby: This is a less common pink toe than the ones most keepers start with, making it a nice pickup for a hobbyist who wants something a little different within the genus.

How should Iridopelma hirsutum be kept?

• Adult Size: Hatchlings start around 0.5 to 0.75 inch, and the species only grows to about 4.5 to 5 inches in diagonal leg span as an adult, so there is plenty of growing left ahead of it at every size we carry.
• Enclosure: A young Iridopelma hirsutum like this one does well in an enclosure around 4 by 4 by 5 inches, with cross ventilation and vertical cork bark, foliage, and multiple anchor points for webbing. At least 1.5 inches of substrate at every stage keeps humidity steady without turning the enclosure into a swamp.
• Setup Tips: Real cork bark or wood pieces make a big difference for this species. They help it settle in faster and give it natural climbing surfaces and webbing anchor points at every size, spiderling included.
• Rehousing: From here, plan on two more moves: an 8 by 8 by 10 inch enclosure, then a 10 by 10 by 16 inch enclosure as an adult. At this species' medium to fast growth rate, each enclosure typically lasts around 8 to 14 months, with full size reached in about 2 to 4 years.
• Temperature: 75 to 85°F, the optimal range for most tropical species like this one. Cooler temperatures are survivable, but increase the odds of trouble molting and growing, so we recommend staying in this range for the best results. Most keepers do not need any extra heating to hit it.
• Humidity: Never let the substrate dry out completely. This is a tropical species and it likes things a little wetter than most terrestrials, so keep it slightly damp and top it up before it goes dry rather than after.
• Water: Provide a shallow water dish placed in an elevated position if possible. This is more natural for arboreal species and helps prevent crickets from falling in and drowning. A weekly misting is suggested as well, so the animal can drink off the side of the enclosure or its own webbing if it prefers that to the dish, as long as you are wetting surfaces rather than soaking the substrate.
• Diet: We recommend prey size from a pinhead cricket up to a 1/2 inch cricket depending on the size you choose, offered at least once a week.
• Temperament: Iridopelma hirsutum is usually docile. It can move quickly when startled, but it is not a defensive species.

Are there any additional notes or considerations for Iridopelma hirsutum?

• Pink Toe Spiders? Like every tarantula, this arachnid gets called a pink toe spider in casual conversation. Tarantulas and true spiders are both arachnids, though tarantulas are the heavy bodied, long lived branch of the family, and a pink toe's habit of showing off its brightly colored feet while it walks is exactly why the nickname stuck.
• Captive Bred: All tarantulas at Exotics Unlimited are captive bred.

Which size should I choose?

• 0.5 to 0.75 inch (Spiderling): The smallest size we carry, right around the size the species hatches at, already showing its green, lateral-striped hatchling look.
• 0.75 to 1 inch (Well-Started Sling): Past the most delicate early stage while still affordable, with a bit more size cushion before its next molt.
• 1.5 to 2 inches (Juvenile): Further along into that developing red-striped juvenile look, for a keeper who wants more size already on the animal.

Looking for similar species?

• Browse our Arboreal Tarantulas and New World Tarantulas collections to explore related care profiles.