Colombian Purple Bloom (Pamphopeteus sp Machalla)
Found in the warm, tropical regions of Southern Ecuador, the Colombian Purple Bloom is a rare bird-spider which is best known for its bright hue and massive size. The adult spiders grow up to a length of 7 inches and the females are often seen to be bigger than the males.
The Purple Bloom grows like weeds, and as they start getting bigger, you’d witness a significant improvement in their overall color. That being said, this bright hue is only observed in the male species as the females start losing their color with age. Typically, the female Purple Blooms feature a brownish to reddish-brown hue, while the males assume a brighter, dark purplish carapace. These male spiders also tend to develop purple, bluish and black legs while the females assume velvety black legs.
The Colombian Purple Bloom also has short, in-grown body hairs. However, unlike your conventional tarantula, they have a thick set of closely arranged spines along the rear side of their palp. These spiders are usually docile, and they do not display aggressive behavior if you do not provoke them. Their venom too isn’t quite dangerous.
Scientific Name
Pamphopeteus sp Machalla
Geographical distribution
The Purple Bloom is usually found in the warm, tropical regions of South Ecuador. They are widely seen in Machala.
Preferred natural habitat
This specie of tarantula usually thrives in a semi-warm, tropical climate as found in heavily forested areas. Their ideal summertime temperature ranges between 24 degree Celsius and 28 degree Celsius during the day and around 20 degree Celsius to 24 degree Celsius during the night. In winter, however, they require cooler temperatures ranging from 16 degrees Celsius to 21 degree Celsius. Since the Purple Bloom is a terrestrial creature, it tends to sling to the trees and branches.
Preferred food in the wild
The Purple bloom can eat voraciously. In the wild, it thrives on fruit flies, pin head crickets, roaches and even locusts. In most cases, this tarantula burrows in its hiding place before finally pouncing on its prey.
Personality
The Purple Bloom exhibits a semi-aggressive nature. As spider-lings it tends to burrow in small holes and in almost every case, they won’t harm you, if you don’t intend to provoke them. If, however, they feel threatened, the species will immediately flick their urticating hair and start intimidating you. It can also bite you if you handle it aggressively.
Feeding as a pet
If you’re keeping Purple Bloom as a pet try feeding them small fruitflies and pinhead crickets when they are still spiderlings. As they grow up, you can start feeding them at least thrice a week. Both juvenile and adult blooms thrive on cockroaches, locusts and large crickets. It is recommended that you avoid over-feeding your tarantula. Additionally, also make it a point to remove a prey, if the spider hasn’t devoured it in the last forty eight hours.
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Life span both male and female
The female Purple Bloom species like for around eight to twelve years, while their male counterparts only thrive for five years in captivity.
Pet enclosure type
If you’re looking to keep the Purple Bloom as a pet, we’d ideally recommend you to place it in a large enclosure (around 5 to 10 gallons). While choosing the enclosure, you have to ensure that the tarantula fills at least half of its semi-moist substrate. Keep the temperature between 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit and make sure the humidity is around 70-85%. There should also be ample ventilation for your spiderlings.
If you need help buying an enclosure why not check out our enclosure review. Click here for the article.
Pet enclosure habitat layout
Since these spiders live in tropical forests, try adding a lot of branches, twigs and leaves in their enclosure. This will help them create a burrow of their own.
Mating / reproducing
Purple Blooms are usually gentle maters. You can start breeding them after they’ve molted for 4-6 weeks. If, the female has already molted during the pairing and cocoon, its eggs are likely to be unfertilized. Ideally, you should plan their mating either during autumn or winter when the temperature is between 18 degrees and 21 degree Celsius. After fixing the correct temperature, steadily raise the humidity. This will automatically trigger the female to start cocooning. Usually, the female starts with her cocoon 4-6 months after the mating.
Development rate
Most of the purple bloom spider lings emerge from the egg sacs of .75 to 1 inch. If you keep them in a warm and humid climate while also feeding them frequently, the females will mature within 2.5 years, while their male counterparts will mature within 1.5 years. Their growth rate is pretty fast, and an average Purple Bloom spider-ling can grow from 7.5 inches to 8.5 inches.