Chilean Ocelot Tarantula

Phrixotrichus vulpinus is a spotted brown tarantula from Chile and Argentina. The valid name comes from Karsch's 1880 Orthothrichus vulpinus; you may also see it as Euathlus vulpinus (and E. latithorax), because Phrixotrichus was only resurrected in 2014. This is one of the least documented species in this catalog. Wild-caught imports often died in captivity, breeding efforts have a poor record, and Chilean tarantulas are frequently misidentified, so be cautious about what you are actually buying. The few husbandry notes come from two sellers: good ventilation, a water dish if temperatures run warm, and roughly a third of the substrate kept moist. One reported a very active spiderling that roams, climbs and does best with height as well as floor space. Sellers rate it intermediate, but the forum record argues for caution. As a New World species it flicks urticating hairs. Verify any numbers with an experienced keeper of this species.