Hapalopus formosus (Pumpkin Patch Tarantula)

Hapalopus formosus (Pumpkin Patch Tarantula)

The Pumpkin Patch Tarantula, or Hapalopus formosus (ex Hapalopus sp. Colombia large), is a dwarf terrestrial tarantula from Colombia and one of the most popular dwarf tarantulas in the hobby. Adults of this species have orange legs, a stunning black carapace (head) with reflective orange markings, and an orange abdomen with black markings that create a row of orange dots, leading to its pumpkin patch name. Spiderlings are already colorful, looking like miniature versions of the adults, while the species only grows to about 3.5 inches in diagonal leg span. Dwarf tarantulas are popular among many keepers who want a small tarantula that feels less intimidating than a larger species, and this is a long lived dwarf on top of that, with females reaching about 8 to 10 years while males live 1.5 to 2 years. This species is docile but fast, and one we recommend for keepers who want a small colorful spider that stays out where they can see it. Grab this docile new world tarantula for sale today, offered here from spiderling through adult female.

Why do hobbyists keep Hapalopus formosus?

• Stunning Coloration: Orange legs set against a black carapace and abdomen marked with bold orange patterning, a high contrast look that stays vivid rather than washing out with age.
• Colorful Spiderlings: Even from hatchling, this species has a stunning orange and black coloration that intensifies as it ages, so many keepers love raising one from the very start.
• Heavy Webber: Builds dense sheets of webbing across the enclosure, often covering substrate and decor completely, which makes for a genuinely different looking setup.
• Popular Dwarf Species: One of the most popular dwarf tarantulas in the hobby. A small tarantula that feels far less intimidating than a larger species, without giving up any of the color for it.
• Seasonal Favorite: A longtime favorite around Halloween thanks to the jack-o-lantern patterning, which is where the common name comes from. Plenty of people go looking for it as the pumpkin tarantula in October.

How should the Pumpkin Patch Tarantula be kept?

• Adult Size: These hatch out around a third to half an inch (0.33 to 0.5 inch) and reach a max size of about 3.5 inches at full leg span, a true dwarf. The orange and black pattern is present from the start, so every size below looks like the species rather than a plain brown sling.
• Enclosure: This is a dwarf terrestrial that wants floor space rather than height, with enough substrate to burrow into and plenty of anchor points, because they will web the whole thing. We run three enclosures across a lifetime and size each one for where the animal is headed. The exact inches and substrate depth for the animal you are buying are on that size's own listing.
• Rehousing: Three enclosures for life, two rehouses total, sized at roughly a third, two thirds and full adult leg span. At a fast growth rate each one lasts around 6 to 8 months. The inches for the size you are buying are on that size's listing.
• Temperature: Keep between 65 and 75 degrees F.
• Humidity: Moisture sensitive at every size. Keep the substrate damp but not saturated, about the texture and color of coffee grounds. Organic coconut fiber resists mold and holds that moisture steadily, which is most of the work done for you. Good ventilation is critical. Cross ventilation works best, but ample top ventilation can also be effective as long as the enclosure is not over-misted.
• Water: A shallow textured water dish works well, something they can grip when climbing out.
• Diet: Prey length runs about a quarter of the leg span, which is roughly the width of the carapace (head). The actual measurement for the size you are buying is on that size's listing. Crickets, roaches or mealworms all work, and every stage eats at least once a week.
• Temperament: Docile but fast. These are not a species that sits tucked away, they are out and moving, and that speed is most of why they feel bigger than they are. Work slowly at the enclosure door and they are an easy animal to keep.

Which size Pumpkin Patch Tarantula should I choose?

• Spiderling, 0.25 to 0.5 inch: About the size the species hatches at, so it is your cheapest way to collect this species, and the pattern is already showing.
• Well started sling, 0.5 to 0.75 inch: A few molts along and past the most delicate stretch, with more color on the abdomen and a stronger feeding response.
• Juvenile, 0.75 to 1.5 inch: Comfortably past the early stage, eating larger prey, and webbing heavily enough that the enclosure starts to look like the species.
• Sexed juvenile, 1 to 1.5 inch: Same size class, sex confirmed. A juvenile female is the one to take if you want the full 8 to 10 year animal.
• Adult female, 2.5 inches and up: Full color, full size, and no rehousing left to plan. The immediate display animal and the longest lived option we offer in the species.
• Every size: Pick the size you want above. Each size still has its own care guidance and its own price behind it, so what you see for that size is exactly what ships.

Are there any additional notes or considerations for the Pumpkin Patch Tarantula?

• Name Change: This species spent years in the hobby as Hapalopus sp. Colombia large, and plenty of keepers still know it by that name. Hapalopus formosus is the newer name for the same animal, so if you have been looking for a Colombia large, this is it.
• Heavy Webbing: Leave the webbing alone. It is not mess, it is the animal using the enclosure, and clearing it out means they spend the next week rebuilding instead of eating.
• Moisture Sensitive: Consistent damp substrate is the whole formula with this species, and it matters most at spiderling size. Coconut fiber, a water dish, and checking the substrate rather than trusting a schedule covers it.
• Solitary Species: House individually. Attempts at cohabitation can end in cannibalism, so one animal per enclosure.
• Lifespan: Females reach about 8 to 10 years while males live 1.5 to 2 years, which is a long run for a dwarf and worth knowing before you pick a sexed animal.
• Captive Bred: All Tarantulas are 100% captive bred.

Listing Notes

• This is the Species Hub for the Hapalopus formosus Pumpkin Patch Tarantula, the page that links every size we have of it. Each size we carry has its own listing with its own enclosure guidance, prey size and price, so pick the size below and that page will tell you exactly what the animal in front of you needs. Every size is unsexed with roughly a 50/50 chance of male or female unless the title says otherwise, and all sizes given anywhere on our site are diagonal leg span.