Colombian Giant Redleg Tarantula: Simple Care Guide for All Life Stages

Colombian Giant Redleg Tarantula (Megaphobema robustum) Care Guide

Overview
The Colombian Giant Redleg is a large terrestrial and burrowing tarantula native to Colombia and Brazil. It can grow up to 8 inches in leg span. Females can live 20–25 years, while males live about 4–5 years. They are usually hidden and only occasionally seen, even at night. Like other tarantulas, they are blind and use the hairs on their legs to detect vibrations.

This species is known for its striking orange and black coloration. It has urticating hairs that it uses for defense. Instead of kicking them into the air like most tarantulas, it uses its back legs to flick them in a bucking motion. It may also spin in circles to confuse predators. Its venom is mild and not dangerous to humans. The Colombian Giant Redleg is shy and skittish, best suited for intermediate keepers.

Enclosure Requirements

Spiderlings under 0.75 inches

Use a small enclosure (2x2x4 inches)
Fill two-thirds with moist substrate
Maintain a moisture gradient by dripping water into one corner
Provide a small water bowl if there’s room

Juveniles (1.5 to 3.5 inches)

Use a 4x4x5 inch or 2.5 gallon enclosure
Keep two-thirds filled with moist substrate
Include cork bark or other hide, water dish, and fake plants
Maintain a moisture gradient by overflowing the dish or misting

Subadults (5 to 6 inches)

Upgrade to a 5 gallon setup
Same care as juvenile enclosure

Adults (6 to 8 inches)

Use a 10 gallon tank
Fill at least halfway with damp substrate
Mist or overflow water dish to maintain moisture gradient
Add cork bark hide, fake plants, and sphagnum moss to help retain humidity

Feeding Schedule

Spiderlings under 1 inch

Feed fruit flies, flour beetles, or pre-killed baby crickets
Prey should be smaller than the spider
Remove uneaten food after 24 hours

Slings (1 to 2.5 inches)

Feed small crickets, mealworms, or dubia roaches weekly
Pre-killed prey may be better accepted

Juveniles (2.5 to 5 inches)

Feed medium to large crickets, mealworms, or dubia roaches every 1–2 weeks
Prey should be no more than two-thirds the spider’s size
Remove uneaten prey after 24 hours

Subadults (5 to 6 inches)

Feed every 2–3 weeks
Offer large crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms, or superworms

Adults (6 to 8 inches)

Feed every 2–3 weeks
Offer 3–4 crickets, a superworm, or large dubia roaches
Remove uneaten food or remains after 24 hours

Tarantulas may stop eating for several weeks or months before a molt. This is normal.

Molting Information

Before molting, the tarantula may stop eating, stay hidden, and develop a bald or dark patch on its abdomen. It will lay down webbing, flip onto its back, and shed its skin. Do not disturb it during this time.

After molting:

Feed slings 4–5 days later
Feed juveniles 7–10 days later
Feed adults 10–14 days later

Rehousing Tips

Only rehouse when the tarantula outgrows its current enclosure. Include deep substrate, a hide, and fake plants. This species doesn’t web much but may put webbing and urticating hairs around its hide.

Use a cup and soft brush to gently move the spider. If it’s burrowed, dig slowly and carefully to avoid collapse.

Handling Advice

Handling is not recommended. These spiders are fragile and skittish. A fall could be fatal. Urticating hairs can irritate your skin. This species is best kept as a display pet.

Temperature and Humidity

Maintain temperatures between 76 and 84 degrees. Use a low-wattage heat bulb or room heater if needed. Humidity should stay between 70 and 85 percent. Don’t let the enclosure dry out for long periods.

Recommended Supplies