Cyriopagopus schmidti
✓ VerifiedChinese Earth Tiger, Golden Earth Tiger, Chinese Bird Spider
Popolon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Quick Facts
Adult Size
6-8 inches
Growth Rate
fast
Temperament
highly defensive, fast
Taxonomy
Community
Experience Required
Advanced
Experienced keepers only
🌡️ Climate Requirements
Temperature Range
75–85°F
(24–29°C)
Humidity Range
70% - 80%
🏠 Enclosure Sizes
Sling
Small vial with 3" moist substrate
Juvenile
5x5x6" with 4" substrate
Adult
12x12x10" with 6-8" substrate
🪨 Substrate
Type
moist coco fiber and topsoil, compactable for deep burrowing
Depth
6-8 inches
🍽️ Feeding Schedule
Sling
Every 4-5 days
Juvenile
Once per week
Adult
Every 1-2 weeks
Prey Size
Appropriately sized prey (up to 2/3 body length)
💧 Additional Care Notes
Water Dish
Required
Webbing
heavy
Burrowing
Yes
🕷️ Behavior & Temperament
General Temperament
highly defensive, fast
Care Guide
**Chinese Earth Tiger** — One of the most commonly traded Asian tarantulas. Large, fast, and impressively defensive. Adults display golden-tan coloring with dark markings. One of several species sold as 'Chinese bird spider' in Asian markets.
⚠️ OLD WORLD SPECIES: No urticating hairs; fast and potent. Highly defensive and quick to bite. For experienced keepers only — not a beginner species regardless of its availability.
C. schmidti is a deep burrower requiring 6-8 inches of moist, compactable substrate. Keep the substrate consistently moist throughout; this is a humid-adapted species from subtropical Chinese forests. Mist regularly and always have a water dish available. A fast grower and voracious feeder. Burrow maintenance — removing shed skins, uneaten prey, etc. — requires careful technique due to the spider's speed and willingness to bite.
⚠️ Safety Information
Urticating Hairs
This species does not have urticating hairs (Old World species).
Venom Potency
⚠️ WARNING: This species has medically significant venom. Bites can cause severe pain and systemic effects. Only for experienced keepers. Seek immediate medical attention if bitten.
Species Statistics
1
Total Keepers
N/A
Community Rating
Advanced
Care Level
🕷️
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