Peruvian Green Velvet (Thrixopelma pruriens)
The Peruvian Green velvet is an extremely rare and exotic species of tarantula. They are docile, aggressive, and skittish in nature. Native to the region of Chile, South America; the ‘Peruvian Green’ is rarely kept as a pet because of its annoying tendency of flinging urticating hairs at the slightest provocation. That being said, many people still choose them for their spectacular coloration along the carapace. When you see these creatures for the first time, you’d be completely amazed with the slight light-greenish hue on their carapace and the dark beige stripes on their knees.
While the Peruvian Green Velvet rarely bites, their toxin carries a protein that can be used a painkiller drug. In 2014, the research associates at Yale University discovered this toxin and studied its impact. According to their reports, this protein has the ability to significantly reduce the throbbing that derives from inflammation and neuropathic pain. Likewise, it also holds the ability to treat both pathological and generic pain syndromes.
Scientific Name
Thrixopelma pruriens
Geographical distribution
The Peruvian Green Velvet thrives in the tropical lands of Peru, South America.
Preferred natural habitat
Since they are indigenous to the tropical soils of Peru, these tarantulas will best survive in a temperature between 21 degree Celsius and 29 degree Celsius. The humidity should be around 60-80%. The Peruvian Green is an arboreal creature, so if you’re planning to keep them as pets, don’t forget to introduce lots of barks and branches in their vial.
Preferred food in the wild
The Peruvian Green Velvet is pretty aggressive and in most cases, it will fiercely pounce on its potential prey without giving it a chance to fight back. While living in the wild, their preferred food ranges from crickets, grasshoppers, and superworms to bigger species like cicadas, beetles, and caterpillars.
Personality
The Peruvian Green, albeit docile, is an extremely skittish creature. It is notoriously known for flinging urticating hairs at the slightest possible instance. So if you’re planning to keep them in your homes, be prepared for its frequent ‘threat poses’. Other than the urticating hair, there is no major issue with this species. If you manage to satisfy your pet species with ample food, water, and a comfortable habitat, it’ll stay in the same place for a pretty long time.
Feeding as a pet
This aggressive little tarantula is a casual eater. So you can start feeding them baby crickets and earthworms. Once they are old enough, introduce a meal of adult crickets and roaches at least twice to thrice a week.
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Lifespan both male and female
Both the male and female Peruvian Green is likely to live more than 10 years.
Pet enclosure type
For their enclosure, try using a spiderling vial that can hold at least three inches of substrate. Since these tarantulas prefer hiding in small places, make sure your enclosure is large enough for them to hide and roam about comfortably. Additionally, you can also keep a couple of barks, branches and leaves that’ll eventually serve as their hiding retreats.
If you need help buying an enclosure why not check out our enclosure review. Click here for the article.
Pet enclosure habitat layout
The Peruvian Green is an opportunistic burrower. So when they reach the three-inch mark of your substrate, they will prefer living in the open than burrowing deeper. This makes them an excellent display tarantula.
For the substrate, you can come up with a concoction of peat moss, coconut fibre, loose dirt, and old leaves. Try keeping at least three inches of this substrate in your tarantula’s vial, and about four inches in their terrarium.
Mating / reproducing
Since the Peruvian Green tends to be extremely skittish, it is best to mate them under proper supervision. You can start by introducing the male to the female’s vial during the fall months between August and December. Watch them for a few days and then remove the male. After around 3-4 days, introduce the male once again and let the pair mate. They will run, study each other and start mating within a week.
P.S- Before you start mating them, make sure the female is well-fed.
Development rate
The Peruvian Green has a medium rate of development. Within one year, you can expect your female spiderling to achieve a bigger leg span by one inch. After around ten long years, it can reach a size of four inches. Alternatively, the males range between two to three inches.
