It’s not often that you come across a truly unique and exciting tarantula species, but the Trinidad Chevron Tarantula lives up to its name. The creature, which grows to about 7 inches, is a close relative of the Goliath Bird eater—also native to Trinidad—and can be distinguished by its black and white markings. This unusual species is so rare that fewer than 10 live specimens exist worldwide. That’s not all that’s remarkable about this arboreal spider—it’s one of only four species of Tarantula known to feed exclusively on ants, which makes it a significant predator for the local ecosystem. This tiny spider is known for being aggressive and deadly—but it’s pretty timid and can be easily handled. We’ll show you exactly how to keep this unique tarantula captive and provide the proper care it deserves—including how to feed it!
The physical appearance of Trinidad Chevron Tarantula
Trinidad has become well-known for its tarantulas, some of which are the size of dinner plates, making them enormous tarantulas worldwide. But, the Trinidad Chevron is a smaller specimen, measuring just under three inches in length and weighing less than 1.5 ounces. This Tarantula is only one of the many species found on the island. However, many have been known to prey upon bird eggs and even small birds. Its exoskeleton is olive-green with small black spots, its legs are pale yellow, and its abdomen is pale yellow, with black markings along the edges.
| Scientific Name | Psalmopoeus cambridgei |
| Other Name | Trinidad Chevron Tree Spider |
| Family Name | Theraphosidae |
| Temperament | aggressive species |
| Size | 4-7 inches |
| Category | New World |
| Urticating Hairs | No |
| Social | Solitary |
| Experience required | Intermediate |
| Diet | Crickets, roaches, mealworms |
Natural Habitat
This Psalmopoeus cambridgei tarantula is a giant arachnid found throughout the Americas. The Trinidad Chevron Tarantula (Pamphobela trinitatis) is a relatively common species found throughout Trinidad. It was discovered in the wild in 2009 near the village of Nata, Trinidad, and Tobago. The name shows the fact that the tarantula is found on Chevron oilfields region. It’s about 12 centimeters long and feeds on insects, such as flies.
The housing of Psalmopoeus cambridgei
The housing of Psaltmopoeus Cambridgei is the most appropriate habitat for the Tarantula in the pet trade. They live in a comparatively large tank. The housing must be very safe. The Trinidad Tarantula could harm other animals. The Tarantula is nocturnal. This means that it becomes active at night. Therefore, it’s best to house it during the night. If you decide to give the Tarantula a home in your own home, the safest place to put it is in a tank.
This way, the Tarantula is safe and won’t be exposed to predators. The spider needs a very secure lid because it is brilliant and can escape easily. The Tarantula is not harmful to humans. However, you must be careful while handling the Tarantula. Never hold the Tarantula with your bare hands. Instead, wear gloves when you take the Tarantula. After each handling clean the tarantula. It would help if you kept the Tarantula in an aquarium because it is susceptible.
A tarantula needs humidity to feel well. It has to be between 50 percent and 80 percent humidity, so it needs regular spraying to ensure it stays at the proper humidity level. If it is not sprayed frequently, the moisture will get lower and lower and die out.
Food of Trinidad Chevron Tarantula
Most Trinidad tarantulas feed on a wide variety of insects. Tarantula species can consume an estimated 1,000 different types of insects each day. Insect prey consists of both larvae and adult forms. Tarantula adults feed primarily on crickets and spiders. The preferred prey items are giant insects such as grasshoppers and cockroaches and are often supplemented by fruit, pollen, or vegetables. Tarantula larvae feed primarily on ants and termites. They feed on insects, worms, and small vertebrates such as earthworms, lizards, dubia roaches and many more. And since they are predatory, their diet mainly consists of prey.
Heating & Lighting
Psalmopoeus cambridgei requires a warm environment in which to live. This spider requires a temperature between 78 to 82 degrees. When they are cold, they will feel weak and sluggish. Due to overheating, they will get overheated and die quickly. A friendly, comfortable environment will help them to stay healthy and happy.
A Chevron tarantula needs humidity to feel well. It has to be between 50 percent and 80 percent humidity, so it needs regular spraying to ensure it stays at the proper humidity level. If it is not sprayed frequently, the moisture will get lower and lower and die out. A Trinidad tarantula should have a friendly, comfortable environment. They will enjoy living in an enclosure with many plants and hiding places. It should have room for a water bowl to drink from and a large terrarium for them to climb around in. Mating and Reproduction of Psalmopoeus cambridgei tarantula
One of the fascinating aspects of the mating process of the Trinidad Chevron Tarantula is the fact that females don’t lay eggs. They inject a mix of sperm into the male’s penile spines. Mating of tarantula depends on season. Females choose their mates based on the length and size of their spines. A more extended spine means a better quality male. After mating, the female spins a cocoon around the male and lays between 20 to 50 eggs. Once the eggs hatch, the young spiderlings feed on the male’s sperm for several weeks before they start to spin their cocoons and develop into adults. When the young hatch, the first thing they do is eat all of the yolks from the egg sac, and only then will the baby tarantulas begin their metamorphosis into adult form.
Handling of Trinidad Chevron Tarantula
Although this spider is not a docile species, it does have one advantage: it will not bite you. Tarantulas usually only bite if they are frightened or irritated. Because of this, tarantulas are trendy pets, and most of these spiders are tame and easy to handle. You should be aware of a few things about this species before you decide to buy or keep one. These are some tips to remember. The first thing you should do when you buy a tarantula is looked for the red or yellow markings on the abdomen.
The Trinidad Chevron Tarantula has no urticating hairs (a hairy or stiff section on the belly), so it can’t sting you. Tarantulas are considered to be docile animals. That means they won’t bite you unless they are frightened or agitated. Tarantulas have a venom that causes severe pain, but this is not lethal, so people can safely handle them. When you pick up the spider, hold it close to your body with one hand and gently lift it. Ensure that you have a proper enclosure. The spider should be kept in a suitable container. Make sure you have enough room for it to hide and move around. The spider should have a nice place to rest at night.
Conclusion
In conclusion, for some reason, I don’t find the Trinidadian chevron tarantula to be quite so scary or menacing as I do other tarantulas. This is because, apart from the black and white colors, the body is mainly covered in a silvery, iridescent sheen. It has long legs and a small, narrow body. The chevron is a quite docile and polite. Its origin is unknown, though it is thought to be a type of spider found in Southeast Asia. Like most spiders, they are generally not venomous, and the only thing that may happen when you encounter one is a quick sting. The bite causes swelling and irritation, lasting up to 48 hours.
