Giant Rusty Featherleg

Tapinauchenius gigas is the largest species in its genus and one of the most striking NW arboreals, displaying beautiful rust-orange and brown coloration with distinctly feathery leg setae. Like all Tapinauchenius, they lack urticating hairs — an unusual trait for a New World species — and instead rely on speed to escape threats. They are extremely fast and will bolt unpredictably during maintenance, making escape prevention critical. Use a deep catch cup and work slowly. Provide a tall arboreal enclosure with cork bark tubes or flats anchored high in the enclosure. They are prolific webbers. Lightly mist one side every 2-3 days; maintain a small ground-level water dish. They have an excellent feeding response and are rewarding animals for keepers stepping beyond the beginner NW arboreals. Their fast growth rate means they reach impressive adult size quickly.