Phormingochilus pennellhewlettorum (Borneo Bat Eater Tarantula) 0.75-1" VERY RARE

Phormingochilus pennellhewlettorum (Borneo Bat Eater) The Borneo Bat Eater, or Phormingochilus pennellhewlettorum, is an arboreal tarantula from Borneo, Malaysia. Adults have jet black legs banded in gold at every joint, a striking gold carapace (head), and a jet black abdomen accented with long red hairs, creating a bold gold and black coloration. Spiderlings hatch out with bold tiger stripe patterning and a black triangle marking on the carapace, then gradually lose that triangle as they grow, while the tiger stripe patterning carries through to adulthood. This species only grows to about 6 to 7 inches in diagonal leg span, with a medium to fast growth rate. Females can live 10 to 15 years, while males typically live around 2 years. This species is fast and alert, and one we recommend for keepers who already have some experience with quick, alert Old World arboreals. Grab this old world tarantula for sale today, offered here as a spiderling. Why do hobbyists keep the Borneo Bat Eater? Gold and Black Coloration: Adults carry jet black legs banded in gold at every joint, a gold carapace, and a black abdomen trimmed in long red hairs, a striking combination that stands out in any collection. Colorful Spiderlings: Even from hatchling, this species shows a bold black triangle marking on the carapace along with its tiger stripe patterning, a combination only a handful of species carry, so there is plenty to look at long before the adult gold coloration comes in. Large Arboreal Species: Phormingochilus is one of the genera known for producing some of the largest, most striking arboreal tarantulas in the hobby, and this species does not disappoint at an estimated 6 to 7 inches in diagonal leg span. Fast Growth Rate: With a medium to fast growth rate, this species reaches its full size and full display coloration sooner than many comparable Old World arboreals. Rare in the Hobby: This is a genuinely rare tarantula and a hard species to source, and it has been a few years since we were last able to bring it in, so this is a real opportunity if it is one you have been wanting. How should the Borneo Bat Eater be kept? Adult Size: Spiderlings (baby tarantulas) start around 0.75 to 1 inch in diagonal leg span, with this species growing to about 6 to 7 inches as an adult, so there is a lot of growing left to watch from here. Enclosure: At this size, a 5 by 5 by 8 inch enclosure works well, with at least 1.5 inches of substrate and real cork bark or wood pieces for climbing surfaces and webbing anchor points. We size it ahead of the spiderling rather than to it, since a little extra room now means fewer early rehouses later. Good ventilation is critical, cross ventilation works best, but ample top ventilation can also be effective as long as the enclosure is not over misted. Setup Tips: Real cork bark or wood pieces make a significant difference for arboreal species like this one. They help a spiderling settle in and survive the transition to captivity, and they give it natural climbing surfaces and webbing anchor points at every size. Rehousing: From here, expect two more rehouses, to around 10 by 10 by 14 inches and then 14 by 14 by 24 inches as an adult, with 1 to 2 inches of substrate at each of those stages. With a medium to fast growth rate, each cage typically lasts somewhere around 8 to 16 months. Temperature: Keep them between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, the optimal range for most tropical Asian arboreals like this one. Cooler temperatures are survivable, but they 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: At this size we recommend a prey item measuring roughly 3/16 to 1/4 inch, about a quarter of the spiderling's own leg span, offered as 2 to 3 appropriately sized items per feeding, at least once a week. Temperament: This species is fast and alert, and it will usually retreat into its hide or webbing the moment it feels threatened. That quick, flighty reaction is normal for an Old World arboreal like this one, and it is part of what makes it such an engaging species to watch. Are there any additional notes or considerations for the Borneo Bat Eater? Native Range: This species comes from Borneo, Malaysia, one of only a couple of islands where the genus Phormingochilus is found at all. Hard to Source: This species has been genuinely difficult for us to bring in consistently, so availability can be inconsistent even when demand is high. Captive Bred: All tarantulas at Exotics Unlimited are captive bred. Frequently asked questions about the Borneo Bat Eater Will my spiderling already show the gold coloration? Not yet. At this size it will still be showing the bold tiger stripe patterning and the dark triangle marking on the carapace rather than the adult gold coloration, and that is part of the appeal, since you get to watch the triangle fade and the gold come in and intensify with every molt from here. How rare is the Borneo Bat Eater? Genuinely rare. It has been a few years since we were last able to source this species, so if you have been browsing tarantulas for sale and keep missing this one, now is a real chance to buy this tarantula while we have it in stock. Is "Phormingochilus pennellhewlettorum" the correct spelling? Yes. The species was originally described with a different spelling that was later corrected by taxonomists, and pennellhewlettorum, with a double "l", is the currently accepted name. You may still see it spelled with a single "l" in older listings, including our own until this update. Listing Notes This listing is for a Phormingochilus pennellhewlettorum Borneo Bat Eater spiderling measuring around 0.75 to 1 inch in diagonal leg span, which is the size given in the title, unsexed, with roughly a 50/50 chance of male or female. At this size it will still be showing the tiger stripe patterning and black triangle marking rather than the adult gold coloration, and that is part of the appeal, since you get to watch the triangle fade and the gold come in and intensify with every molt from here. This is about the size the species hatches at.