Tapinauchenius violaceus - Purple Tree Spider tarantula

Tapinauchenius violaceus – Purple Tree Spider The Purple Tree Spider is a sleek, lightning-fast New World arboreal with a gorgeous violet-to-mahogany sheen, bold webbing habits, and that classic Tapinauchenius “blink and it moved” personality. This species is an exciting display tarantula for keepers who enjoy speed, beauty, and a more hands-off arboreal setup. Special Notices Setup notes This is a very fast arboreal species, so I like a tall, well-ventilated enclosure with cork bark, webbing anchor points, and enough cover for it to feel secure. Keep the lower substrate lightly moisture-retentive, but never swampy or stale. Taxonomy note This tarantula is commonly known and sold in the hobby as Tapinauchenius violaceus, the Purple Tree Spider. You may also see the name Tapinauchenius plumipes used in updated taxonomy references. Care videos Check out the Urban Tarantulas YouTube channel for care, setup, feeding, and show-and-tell videos to see how we keep and feed our tarantulas: Urban Tarantulas on YouTube. 🧰 Care Details 🌡️ Temperature 75–85°F (24–29°C). Warmer temperatures usually mean faster growth because they molt more often, but I still keep this species stable and well ventilated rather than pushing heat. 💧 Humidity Aim for about 75–80% inside the enclosure with good airflow. I avoid swampy substrate and also avoid letting arboreal setups go bone dry for long periods. Water dishes are optional; I usually skip them except for larger species. 🏠 Housing 🏠 Babies Use a vial up to 5 inches tall x 2 inches in diameter with ventilation. Add a little substrate, a small piece of cork bark or fake leaf for webbing, and keep it simple. FREE vial at checkout IF requested; not included otherwise. 🏠 Juveniles Once they are over about 2 inches, move them into something around 7–8 inches tall with cork bark, foliage, and plenty of webbing anchor points. Open the enclosure calmly and carefully; this genus is extremely quick. 🏠 Adults Adults do best in a 12–16 inch tall arboreal enclosure with vertical cork bark, secure anchor points, and steady ventilation. Give them height, structure, and a retreat; this is a display tarantula, not a handling species. General Diet 🍽️ Feeding Crickets + roaches work great, especially Dubia, Red Runner, and Lobster roaches. Babies should get baby crickets or baby roaches. If prey is too big, pre-kill by crushing the head, leave it, then remove leftovers or bolus. Occasional treat for super large specimens: pinky/hopper mouse or feeder lizard very sparingly; excess calcium can cause constipation/pooping issues. We never use pinhead crickets because they do not provide enough protein. In-depth Facts 🕷️ Latin name / Scientific name Tapinauchenius violaceus in the hobby; may also be seen as Tapinauchenius plumipes in updated taxonomy. 📛 Common name(s) Purple Tree Spider, Purple Tree Tarantula. 🌡️ Temperature 75–85°F (24–29°C), with steady ventilation and no extreme heat. 💧 Humidity About 75–80% inside the enclosure. Keep it humid enough to support good molts, but never wet, stagnant, or swampy. 📍 Locale Northern South America, with hobby references commonly including Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and Brazil. Exact hobby locality can vary by lineage. 🏷️ Category New World arboreal; fast, web-heavy, and most comfortable with vertical bark, retreats, and secure anchor points. 📏 Size Females commonly reach about 5–6 inches DLS; males are usually smaller, around 3.5–4.5 inches DLS. Max size is typically around 5.5 inches DLS. 🪶 Urticating hairs They do not typically kick urticating hairs; expect speed and a strong flight response instead. I recommend keeping this species as a hands-off display tarantula. ⏳ Growth rate Medium-fast. With warm, steady conditions and regular meals, babies can put on size quickly because they molt more often. 🧭 Life span Females are commonly kept around 10–15+ years with good care; males usually live about 3–5 years. 🍽️ Feeding Usually a strong eater. Offer appropriately sized crickets or roaches, and remove uneaten prey or bolus. For small babies, pre-killed prey works well when live feeders are too large. 🎯 Recommended levels Perfect for keepers who love fast New World arboreals, heavy webbing, and unique purple-to-mahogany coloration. Best for someone comfortable rehousing quick species and maintaining a secure arboreal setup. 📱 Follow me on social media 🎁 Follow me on social media and receive an additional freebie* *Email me after you follow to let me know you’re a follower so I can include it. Instagram YouTube Palmstreet Facebook TikTok ⚠️ Safety Disclaimer Safety Disclaimer: Tarantula bites are extremely rare, and there are no recorded human fatalities. Venom strength varies by species; Old World tarantulas are usually more potent than New World tarantulas, with Poecilotheria known for especially strong venom. Larger tarantulas may also deliver more venom. If bitten, stay calm. Most symptoms fade within minutes to hours, though potent species may cause discomfort for up to a week. In 13 years, I’ve only been bitten once, and symptoms were gone after one week. Handling is at your own risk. I’m not responsible for bites or injuries. Always prioritize your safety and the tarantula’s well-being.