The Hapalopus sp. Columbia (also known as the pumpkin patch tarantula) is a magnificent dwarf tarantula found in the coastal regions of Columbia. It has a cute and beautiful pumpkin patch tattoo on its abdomen, making it more attractive and docile. Even those who are unpaid spider collectors will be capable of learning from this nervous spider. When they first emerged in South Africa’s market, they usually sold at the highest rates of R1200 each. The essential aspect of these tarantulas is that they start increasing the coloration from a very little age. You will observe the eye-catching coloration after a few months of appropriate care and feeding.
| Scientific name | Hapalopus sp. Columbia |
| Kind | Terrestrail |
| Category | New World |
| Size | 3 inches |
| Lifespan | Female 10 years, Male 4 years |
| Food | Small specimens, cricket, wax worm, mealworm |
| Experience level | Beginner |
| Location | Colombia |
Scientific name of Pumpkin Patch Tarantula
Its scientific name is Hapalopus sp. Colombia comes from the primary word hapalo. The meaning of hapalo is the foot, and the common name pumpkin patch refers to the spider’s orange and black patterns like a pumpkin on its abdomen.
Physical Description
The Pumpkin Patch Tarantulas are smaller than most tarantulas and easy to spot. They have a covering of keyhole patterns on the cephalothoraxes. Their abdomen has bright orange color with pumpkin-shaped spots, and their legs and body have a golden color. Some spiderlings have colorful yellow patterns instead of orange spots until their 1st-year molt.
A newly-hatched spider ling markings and coloration are very prominent and giving you a beautiful show from day one. The marking of orange and black grow in contrast as they age, and their legs become browner and less transparent. The Hapalopus sp. Columbia is a gorgeous and attractive species of tarantulas.
Size
The approximate length is 3 inches, and the female is more significant than the male. Though the male has longer legs, still it is dwarf sized. Their slings are minimal, measuring at 5mm with their legs stretch. The male typically reaches a size of 2.25 inches within 11 months, while females have a long lifespan and reach a height of 3.5 to 4 inches.
Geographical Distribution
This dwarf tarantula is resident in the Columbian regions.
Age
Males have 3-4 years, and Females have 8-10 years lifespan. Males become adults in a minimum of 1 year while Females become adults in about two years.
Temperament
The Pumpkin Patch Tarantulas are new world tarantulas and are typically known as quiet and nonaggressive that’s why they are excellent for beginners. Hapalopus sp. Columbia runs away from the potential threats as they tend to be jumpy. Mostly they move back to their hole to hide from danger. They do not bite and flick like other tarantulas. These spiders are very friendly and ideal for keeping as pets, especially for people who don’t want to deal with aggression. They are energetic enough when hunting and will take on victims. If you get bitten by them, their venom is very little too gentle in toxicity.
Habitat
They are commonly originated in relatively calm climate zones of Colombia. The climate stays moderately warm and humid, but sometimes the temperature varies with elevation.
Breeding
When you want to breed the pumpkin patch, it is best to plan it for about one month after the female molt. The male will add the reproductive stuff in the process if a molt chases the pairing before it can lay eggs. The female age should be two years, and the male needs one year. Before connection, they both take some minutes for the introduction.
As these species can get rather playful, you should take sufficient safety measures while mating them. Both males and females should be well prepared for mating. The female must be well-fed before she is brought into the male. Also, it would be best if you had a pair of tweezers handy to disconnect the couple once they’ve effectively completed a round of mating. After mating, the female needs to eat well, so feed her a medium cockroach, and the male will run away and survive. The growth rate of pumpkin patch tarantula is speedy and quick, as it will perhaps reach full size within two years.
Diet for Pumpkin Patch Tarantula
The small tarantulas have a starving appetite that’s unmatched by many other species. Due to this, it becomes very entertaining and fascinating to give them their meal.
Pumpkin patch tarantulas are extremely small. That’s why they feel trouble when hunting anything at that size. So typically, their diet is flightless fruit flies and crickets. And the amazing fact is that they happily accept the pre-killed food and use it to increase. They are very soft-natured and kind-hearted.
The adult can hold their food. Medium-sized cricket gave to them per week as their food. Sometimes the prey is positioned in their enclosure, and they lean to rush out from their hides and quickly suppress the target. During their pre-molt, they stop eating altogether. Adults will love to eat small insects like cockroaches and pinhead crickets. Some other insects are mealworms and wax worms. They also like to eat small Dubai roaches.
The Pumpkin Patch Tarantula Care Sheet
Similar to all other tarantulas, we should keep the handling of spiders to a least. Pumpkin Patch Ts are speedy and jumpy. They are very playful so, they are a good choice the keep them as pets. They infrequently go into a self-protective posture and even more seldom dribble hairs. Here is the care sheet for this tarantula. If you get bit by the tarantula, their venom is very little too gentle in toxicity. They are not poisonous for humans. For more information visit here The Pumpkin Patch Tarantula Care Sheet.
Housing for the Pumpkin Patch
There is no need for much room for pumpkin patch spiders as they are tiny in size. You can arrange a tank that has a space maximum of 2.5 to 5 gallons. Most owners don’t concern with the escape as they aren’t tremendous in size. A container must be made of plastic or glass and contain a locked cover with tiny holes. But the plastic containers are not too good because they may get scratched and foggy with time. On the other hand, the glass enclosures are long-lasting and have many options like side-opening doors. A neat and clean compartment is always better if you want to intend your spider.
Feeding as a pet
As we know that these spiders are greedy eaters; when they are too small, they cannot even eat a baby cricket. So you should cut the cricket in half and give them to eat. The Colombian pumpkin patch will like to eat pre-killed insects. They should provide a small and clean water dish, but a food dish is not required. Bottle caps are perfect for the enclosure. A small water dish should be supplied in the enclosure.
Feeding schedule
The pumpkin patch tarantulas are active night hunters and are weekly feeders as adults. It would be best if you had a pair of tweezers to feed them. Remove the food if they do not like to eat because some insects may try to lay eggs there. As they are nonaggressive, the cricket may try to bother them. They need food twice a week in the first year. They eat pre-killed food and mashed cricket.
Lightning
There is no need for lighting for this tarantula, but being in a room with an open window can supply enhancement. Sunlight is not suitable for your tarantula so, avoid taking spiders in direct sunlight.
Cleaning & Maintaince
Hapalopus sp. Columbia requires minimal cleaning in its enclosures. You should change full bedding every 4-6 months in the year, or remove the extra food from the substrate and make space wide for them. To know more about tarantulas visit here.
