Tapinauchenius gigas
✓ VerifiedGiant Rusty Featherleg, Orange Tree Spider, Giant Tapinauchenius
Quick Facts
Adult Size
5-6 inches
Growth Rate
fast
Temperament
Fast and skittish; tends to bolt rather than bite, but should not be handled
Taxonomy
Community
Experience Required
Intermediate
Some experience recommended
🌡️ Climate Requirements
Temperature Range
72°F - 82°F
(22°C - 28°C)
Humidity Range
70% - 82%
🏠 Enclosure Sizes
Sling
3x3x5 inches
Juvenile
6x6x10 inches
Adult
10x10x16 inches
🪨 Substrate
Type
coco fiber
Depth
2-3 inches
🍽️ Feeding Schedule
Sling
2x per week
Juvenile
weekly
Adult
every 7-10 days
Prey Size
medium
💧 Additional Care Notes
Water Dish
Required
Webbing
heavy
Burrowing
No
🕷️ Behavior & Temperament
General Temperament
Fast and skittish; tends to bolt rather than bite, but should not be handled
Care Guide
Tapinauchenius gigas is the largest species in its genus and one of the most striking NW arboreals, displaying beautiful rust-orange and brown coloration with distinctly feathery leg setae. Like all Tapinauchenius, they lack urticating hairs — an unusual trait for a New World species — and instead rely on speed to escape threats. They are extremely fast and will bolt unpredictably during maintenance, making escape prevention critical. Use a deep catch cup and work slowly. Provide a tall arboreal enclosure with cork bark tubes or flats anchored high in the enclosure. They are prolific webbers. Lightly mist one side every 2-3 days; maintain a small ground-level water dish. They have an excellent feeding response and are rewarding animals for keepers stepping beyond the beginner NW arboreals. Their fast growth rate means they reach impressive adult size quickly.
⚠️ Safety Information
Urticating Hairs
This species does not have urticating hairs (Old World species).
Venom Potency
Venom is not considered medically significant to humans, though reactions may vary.
Species Statistics
0
Total Keepers
N/A
Community Rating
Intermediate
Care Level
🕷️
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