Spider Shoppe Exotic Pets & Supplies - Tacoma, WA

11/02/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/7EN6c9ZkgvECyNvd/

10/30/2024

Spider Shoppe is will have goodies for Halloween!

10/18/2024

Hey all, you can now Shoppe as late as 8PM. We've extended our open hours to accommodate later visitors. Effective immediately.

Call now to connect with business.

09/29/2024

Starting this week, you can find us in a new location-

5220 South Tacoma Way
Tacoma WA 98409

Spider Shoppe Exotic Pets & Supplies https://g.co/kgs/3tmWAze

Please keep in mind, while our doors are open for business Oct 1st, we aren't totally set-up yet. We hope that in the next two weeks we'll be fully situated and stocked. We look forward to sharing this space with you!

09/24/2024

We're moving, and will be using pvc enclosures at our new location. All glass displays available. First come first served. Available now, pickup after 9/30.

09/01/2024

Came upon $60 rd trip tickets to AZ and had to go

08/27/2024

Another unforgettable day in Peru. Featuring Hapalotremus sp Inca Gold, Urupelma veronicae, and Linothele uniformis 👏👏

We found so many GOLD SPIDERS during day 7 of our tarantula expedition in Peru! We were outside Urubamba finding Hapalotremus, Urupelma, Ischnocolinae, Linot...

08/02/2024

Diagonal Leg Span - Measuring Your Tarantula
In the United States, Diagonal Leg Span (DLS) is the standard measurement for tarantulas. This involves measuring from the tip of the front leg (leg 1) to the tip of the back leg (leg 4) on the opposite side, typically noted in inches and increments of 0.25" or 0.125".

In other parts of the world, keepers often use Body Length (BL), measuring from the eyes to the spinnerets, and the metric system. Another way to track a tarantula's growth is by counting their molts, each known as an instar.

Small spiderlings from genera like Cyriocosmus and Kochiana usually measure around 0.125" DLS. These tiny spiders can be fed fruit flies or small, pre-killed crickets. Larger spiderlings, such as those from Pamphobeteus and Theraphosa, start around 1" DLS.

For reference, you can compare certain coins to DLS measurements:

0.75" DLS: about the size of a penny
1" DLS: about the size of a quarter
1.5" DLS: about the size of a silver dollar

A grain of rice, measuring about 0.25", can be used to estimate the size of smaller spiders.

We often include free rulers with our packages to help you monitor your tarantula's growth!

06/23/2024

The gorgeous Purple Pinktoe Tarantula, Avicularia purpurea (Kirk), is a must-have member of the subfamily Aviculariinae for anyone who appreciates colorful spiders. The species epithet “purpurea” refers to the incredibly metallic purple-blue hairs covering the carapace, legs and chelicerae of this tarantula. The spiderlings start out purple, fuzzy and “cactus-like,” but gain an increasingly metallic purple splendor with each molt. Technically, these are structural colors that refract light, rather than true pigments. While it is not known why many tarantulas have evolved such incredible structural colors, not all animal eyes can detect this brilliant display- so we are extra lucky to be able to appreciate this species. A. purpurea is a shy arboreal that builds its silk hammocks in tree hollows and cavities in Amazonian lowland rainforests of Ecuador. This species grows a bit more slowly than other Avicularia, reaches 4-5” (10-12.5cm) in leg span, and can be maintained similarly to other members of the genus. A tall, vertical arboreal enclosure with cross ventilation and dry substrates is best. Excellent air circulation is imperative for all Avicularia, and higher humidity can be maintained through periodic misting of a cage corner and/or providing a water bowl. A long cork slab can also be used for the tarantula to attach its hammock web. A. purpurea are not highly defensive but can flick urticating hairs, are flighty, and lightning fast. This and other pink toe tarantulas are excellent at parachuting out of trees and spiderlings can run swiftly across the surface of high waters in flooded forests- something good to remember as they leap off your arm and make a b-line toward a drain hole. Although this species can be handled, they react to the slightest breeze and larger juveniles and adults have an unfortunate defensive mechanism of launching excrement 2-3 feet when they feel threatened. So, best to keep this spider in its cage for showing off to a recovering arachnophobe or impressing that special someone…

06/09/2024

The Ghost Tree Spider, Amazonius burgessi (Hüsser) is a sleek, handsome, arboreal phantom from the Amazonian rainforests of Colombia and Peru in the subfamily Psalmopoeinae. Like its relatives in the genera Psalmopoeus and Tapinauchenius, A. burgessi has long, powerful legs and compensates for lacking urticating hairs with speed, agility, and a defensive disposition more reminiscent of Old World tarantulas. A. burgessi is a modestly-sized arboreal species, growing at a fast pace to a 5 inch (12.7cm) leg span. The leggy spiderlings start out with a vivid chevron and cactus-like bristles on bony legs with adorably enlarged scopulae [gecko-like “toe” pads]. With each molt, the juveniles progressively transform into a kaleidoscope of structural colors. Mature females take on a gorgeous combination of metallic colors, among them, mossy green, gray, navy blue, purple, and maroon tones overlane on a black exoskeleton, plus salmon-colored bristles on the posterior legs. Like a ghost, you can bet this beauty can ‘teleport’ when it wants to move. Although toxicology studies are not yet available, there is a chance that Amazonius envenomations could produce burning chili-pepper-like sensations like Psalmopoeus spp., so it is probably best not to handle these spiders. A. burgessi build their arboreal hammocks in tree hollows in the wild and are best housed in a vertical arboreal setup with cross ventilation and mostly dry substrates. Periodic misting of one corner or side of the enclosure and/or a water bowl can help ensure adequate humidity. All-around, a beautiful arboreal tarantula that is highly recommended for anyone with a passion for earth-toned metallic spiders, genera of the Psalmopoeinae, and/or those preparing to raise Old World tarantulas.

Hüsser, M., 2018. A first phylogenetic analysis reveals a new arboreal tarantula genus from South America with description of a new species and two new species of Tapinauchenius Ausserer, 1871 (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae). ZooKeys, (784), p.59.
https://www.tarantupedia.com/psalmopoeinae/amazonius/amazonius-burgessi

Photo:

05/21/2024

This pretty lady molted recently, and is looking stunning! Aphonopelma sp 'Michoacan Rubias'

05/17/2024

Selenocosmia sp 'Romblon Pink' from the Philippines

05/10/2024

The Thai Golden Fringe, or Ornithoctonus aureotibialis. This is a beautiful fossorial species from Thailand, that spends mosts of it time in a burrow. When housed in captivity, they will dig a burrow and line it with their silk. This webbing offers an extension to their primary sensory function - touch. When prey items wander onto the webbing, they feel it and can strike.

05/03/2024

One of few holdback species at the Shoppe - Phormingochilus sp 'Akcaya'. We've got ten or so at this size. 'Akcaya' comes from Sanskrit meaning "infinite". It's your typical defensive Asian arboreal.

04/26/2024

Orange Baboon Tarantula, Orange Bitey Thing, OBT

04/19/2024

The Kilimanjaro Mustard Baboon, Pterinochilus chordatus

04/17/2024

This genus, including spiders from Brazil and Guyana, has a history spanning back over 100 years. However, in 2022, updates were made. This is an interesting genus, because it was previously believed to belong to an entirely different subfamily - Barychelinae. The three spiders in this genus are very small, and live in silk tunnels with trap doors. Female pictured.

Gonzalez-Filho, H. M. O., Fonseca-Ferreira, R., Brescovit, A. D. & Guadanucci, J. P. L. (2022). Taxonomy of the genus Cyrtogrammomma Pocock, 1895 (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae) with a description of a new species from Brazil. Zoosystematics and Evolution 98(2): 181-199.