Purple Tree Spider

The Purple Tree Spider (scientific name: Tapinauchenius violaceus) is native to tropical rainforests in French Guiana and Brazil. It is a beautiful species of pet-catching spider that is gaining popularity among enthusiasts. Overall, it has a metallic luster of blue-purple color, which is also the reason for its name. It is a relatively popular species in the Tapinauchenius genus, second only to the Red Tree Spider.

The adult Purple Tree Spider has a body length of 13-14 cm. The young individuals are gray-black in color and usually show some metallic purple color when they are over 5 cm in size. The young individuals are easily frightened and move very fast, so caution is needed to prevent them from escaping. They prey ferociously and are not afraid to attack prey larger than themselves. As a member of the Tapinauchenius genus, they grow relatively fast and usually reach adulthood in 2-3 years.

The ideal temperature for the Purple Tree Spider is 26-28°C, with a humidity of 85%. It is recommended to use moist peat, coconut bricks, or clay as substrate. It is wise to provide a piece of bark or driftwood in the enclosure for them to hide, which will prevent them from getting startled and directly coming out when the enclosure is opened. Similarly, they may show some aggression once they reach a certain size, so it is not advisable to handle them easily to avoid getting bitten. They are also not suitable as a first pet-catching spider for beginners.

The Purple Tree Spider is a spider known for its bird-eating ability. They have large bodies, usually exceeding 20 centimeters, making them one of the largest giant spiders in the world. Although this spider can prey on birds, it is not enough to pose any threat to humans. Because of its beautiful blue-purple color and fierce hunting ability, it is highly popular among spider enthusiasts.

Purple Tree Spider is recommended for spider enthusiasts who love to keep pet-catching spiders. It is a very beautiful species of pet-catching spider that is gaining popularity among enthusiasts. After maturing, its body overall presents a metallic luster of blue-purple, which is also the reason for its name. This species is relatively popular in the Tapinauchenius genus, second only to the Red Tree Spider.

Paralysis

Spider's demands for the environment are not high, but when the temperature is too high, especially in the summer, with high temperature and humidity, if the spider's cage is far away from the ventilation, it will cause the spider to approach heat stroke, and its legs will be paralyzed, resulting in paralysis.

Constipation

The main reason for constipation is usually a lack of water. In addition to food, spiders also need to drink water. If the owner only feeds the spider without providing water, the water in the food cannot provide the moisture needed by the spider's body.

Black rot disease

Not eating or moving, decreased energy, and the appearance of black ulcerative lesions in the abdomen, this is the manifestation of spider's black rot disease. The reason for this situation is stale water and food. If the spider eats food contaminated with bacteria, it will contract black rot disease, which can lead to death in severe cases.

Mould disease

Especially in the southern regions, such high temperature and high humidity weather in summer makes the spider's body surface easily invaded by bacteria. The spider's joints become stiffer, and its body becomes damp, which creates a favorable environment for bacteria to thrive and reproduce, leading to the appearance of mould on the spider's body.

It is recommended to use moist peat/cocobrick/clay as a substrate for captive housing. The preferred food for them is cherry roaches. It is advisable to provide a piece of bark for them to hide, which will increase their sense of safety and prevent them from getting startled and running out as soon as the enclosure is opened.