Hapalopus guerreroi (ex. Hapalopus sp. Guerilla)
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Description
Hapalopus guerreroi (ex. Hapalopus sp. Guerilla) - Spectacular Gothic Pumpkin Patch Dwarf Tarantula
Hapalopus guerreroi (known in the terrarium hobby as Hapalopus sp. Guerilla or "Gothic Pumpkin Patch") is one of the most sought-after New World dwarf tarantulas. It combines a jet-black carapace, high-contrast copper-orange abdominal patterns, and remarkably explosive hunting behavior. This compact predator from northern Colombia reaches a modest 8-10 cm (3-4 in) diagonal leg span, requiring minimal terrarium space while displaying its vivid, adult coloration right from the earliest spiderling stages.
- Vivid high-contrast coloration from sling: The intricate orange pattern on the velvety black abdomen is clearly visible in the earliest instars and does not require years of waiting for full coloration.
- Prolific silk architect: This species weaves dense, elaborate white silk tunnels and frequently perches at the burrow entrance, offering rewarding display value.
- Compact display format: Adult females thrive in compact 20x20x20 cm (8x8x8 in) enclosures, making them ideal for hobbyists with limited shelf space.
- Dynamic feeding response and docile nature: Non-aggressive with mild venom, this spider hunts with lightning speed when feeder insects are introduced.
| Scientific name | Hapalopus guerreroi Benavides et al., 2024 |
| Trade synonyms | Hapalopus sp. Guerilla, Speckle Patch Tarantula, Gothic Pumpkin Patch |
| Origin and habitat | Northern Colombia (La Guajira Department, Plan Bonito), tropical dry woodlands |
| Ecological niche | Terrestrial opportunistic burrower creating extensive silk tube systems |
| Adult size | Female body length: 3.5-4.5 cm (1.4-1.8 in), leg span: 8-10 cm (3-4 in), males: 2.5-3.5 cm (1.0-1.4 in) BL, 6.5-8 cm (2.5-3.1 in) LS |
| Lifespan | Females up to 8-10 years, males approximately 1-2 years (6-12 months post ultimate molt) |
| Optimal temperature | Daytime: 24-27°C (75-81°F), nighttime: 21-23°C (70-73°F), avoid prolonged drops below 18°C (64°F) |
| Substrate humidity | 70-80% (recommended moisture gradient using the damp corner method) |
| Enclosure dimensions | Terrestrial terrarium 20x20x20 cm (8x8x8 in) with cross-ventilation |
| Venom and temperament | Mild venom (comparable to a wasp sting), docile, skittish, and very fast |
| Urticating setae | Present on abdomen (kicked very rarely, preferring rapid retreat) |
| Legal status and CITES | No CITES listing, no EU annexes, free from paperwork or registration |
Selecting a Variant and First Steps with Your Chosen Instar
Our live animal selection spans the entire developmental range - depending on current breeding availability, we offer young spiderlings (slings in secure transport vials), juveniles, and mature specimens. Regardless of the stage selected from the dropdown list, every tarantula is packaged to the highest standards of safety and thermal protection.
First 48 hours after delivery - care protocol by developmental stage:
- Step 1: Rest at room temperature (20-22°C (68-72°F)): Regardless of the spider's size, place the unopened shipping container in a quiet, shaded room at standard room temperature (20-22°C (68-72°F) without heating). Leave the spider undisturbed for 24 hours to reduce transit stress. Never place the vial directly on a heating mat or under a lamp.
- Step 2: Caring for young spiderlings (instars L1-L3): Slings should initially remain in small rearing vials with lightly packed, moist substrate 2-3 cm (1 in) deep. The compact space makes finding prey effortless and provides security. Add a small strand of moist Sphagnum moss, hydrating it precisely with a pipette. After 24 hours of rest, offer tiny prey - flightless fruit flies Drosophila melanogaster or pre-killed pinhead crickets are ideal for L1-L2, while L3 slings can accept larger Drosophila hydei or micro roach nymphs.
- Step 3: Caring for juveniles (instars L4-L6): Growing juveniles require small rearing tubs (approx. 8x8x7 cm or 11x8x5 cm) with 3-5 cm (1.5-2 in) of substrate and a small piece of cork bark. At this stage, fruit flies are no longer nutritious enough, so the staple diet shifts to energetic small Turkestan cockroach nymphs (4-8 mm) or small crickets.
- Step 4: Caring for mature specimens (subadult / adult): Gently guide larger tarantulas with a soft artist brush into a horizontal terrarium (minimum 20x20x20 cm) with a deep substrate layer (5-8 cm (2-3 in)) and cross-ventilation. Allow 24-48 hours to explore and establish a burrow before offering adult feeder insects.
What Terrarium Setup and Environmental Conditions Does Hapalopus guerreroi Need?
For an adult Hapalopus guerreroi, a terrestrial terrarium measuring 20x20x20 cm (8x8x8 in) with efficient cross-ventilation, temperatures of 24-27°C (75-81°F) by day and 21-23°C (70-73°F) by night, and substrate humidity of 70-80% maintained via a damp corner gradient is optimal.
This species is endemic to northern Colombia (La Guajira region), where it adapted to sub-equatorial woodlands with seasonal precipitation shifts. While it tolerates room temperatures (20-23°C (68-73°F)), drops below 18°C (64°F) slow metabolism and feeding desire. In terrarium care, provide a substantial substrate layer (at least 5-8 cm (2-3 in) for adults) composed of coco coir, peat, or soil blends. Angled cork bark flats provide an ideal starting anchor for burrow construction. Never allow the substrate to dry out entirely, but avoid soggy mud - water one corner regularly, allowing the spider to choose between a humid retreat and a dry surface.
What to Feed Hapalopus guerreroi and How to Balance the Diet?
Feed young Hapalopus guerreroi slings (instars L1-L2) every 2-3 days with tiny live prey such as flightless fruit flies Drosophila melanogaster and pinhead crickets. L3 slings accept larger Drosophila hydei or micro roach nymphs, whereas from instar L4 fruit flies are insufficient and small Turkestan cockroaches or small crickets fed every 5-7 days should form the staple diet. Adults eat every 7-10 days with prey sized to 50-100% of the abdomen length (excluding legs).
Tarantulas of the genus Hapalopus are celebrated for their insatiable appetites and dynamic strikes. They charge prey rapidly, frequently dragging insects straight into their silk tunnels. For juveniles, young Turkestan roaches are excellent staples because they remain active on the surface without burrowing. Remember the golden premolt rule: when the spider turns dark, sluggish, and seals its burrow entrance with silk, immediately cease feeding. Uneaten feeder insects left during ecdysis can severely injure a defenseless tarantula. Always remove food boluses after 24 hours with long forceps.
Common Mistakes in Husbandry and How to Avoid Them
- Substrate desiccation in young spiderlings: Slings lose moisture rapidly due to their thin cuticle and high surface area. Complete substrate drying in a small vial can prove fatal. Always maintain a damp substrate zone or moist Sphagnum clump.
- Stagnant air and poor cross-ventilation: High humidity (70-80%) combined with still air invites mold and mite blooms. Always provide ventilation holes on opposite sides of rearing containers to ensure airflow.
- Oversized containers for early instars: Placing a tiny sling directly into a large terrarium leads to disorientation, stress, and inability to capture food. Upgrade container size progressively (vial -> tub -> adult terrarium).
- Leaving live feeders in the enclosure during molting: Roaches or crickets left with a molting tarantula can chew on soft new tissue and fangs. If the spider seals its retreat with silk, remove all feeders immediately.
Taxonomic Revision 2024 and Historical Systematics of the Species
For many years, this tarantula circulated in European and American hobbies under the provisional tag Hapalopus sp. Guerilla (also spelled "Guerrilla"). It was widely known as the Speckle Patch Tarantula or Gothic Pumpkin Patch, reflecting its morphological resemblance to its popular cousin Hapalopus formosus, albeit with a noticeably darker and deeper tonal contrast.
The taxonomic ambiguity was resolved in 2024 through an extensive revision of Colombian Hapalopus published by D. Sherwood and colleagues in the scientific journal ZooNova. The hobby population was formally described as Hapalopus guerreroi Benavides, Osorio, Sherwood, Gabriel, Peñaherrera-R., Hörweg, Brescovit & Lucas, 2024. Genital morphology clearly separates this species from Hapalopus vangoghi, described in the same paper: females of H. guerreroi feature a distinctive T-shaped spermatheca, whereas H. vangoghi exhibits rounded, spherical receptacles. Males possess two apical keels on the palpal bulb and a single retrolateral metatarsal depression.
The specific epithet does not refer to the Mexican state of Guerrero - it is a patronym honoring Colombian biologist Dr. Roberto Guerrero Flórez. Type material (male holotype CAUA_Ara0105 and female paratype CAUA_Ara0106) was collected in Plan Bonito near Riohacha, La Guajira Department, Colombia, firmly establishing its South American tropical provenance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Hapalopus guerreroi venomous or dangerous to humans?
The venom of Hapalopus guerreroi is mild and medically insignificant to healthy humans. An accidental bite produces localized discomfort and swelling comparable to a common bee or wasp sting. This species is inherently non-aggressive and prefers immediate escape to its silk retreat when startled. While it possesses urticating setae on the abdomen, it rarely flicks them. Because of its agility and sudden bursts of speed, all enclosure maintenance should be carried out using 25-30 cm feeding tongs rather than bare hands.
How large does Hapalopus sp. Guerilla grow and how fast does it mature?
Hapalopus guerreroi is a small to medium dwarf tarantula often dubbed the "giant of the dwarfs." Adult females reach 3.5-4.5 cm (1.4-1.8 in) in body length and approximately 8-10 cm (3-4 in) in diagonal leg span. Males are more slender, reaching 2.5-3.5 cm (1.0-1.4 in) body length and 6.5-8 cm (2.5-3.1 in) leg span. The growth rate is rapid under warm conditions (25-27°C (77-81°F)) with consistent feeding, maturing in roughly 18-24 months for females and 10-14 months for males. Females enjoy an impressive lifespan of up to 8-10 years.
Does Hapalopus guerreroi require CITES paperwork or registration?
No, Hapalopus guerreroi (along with all other members of the genus Hapalopus) is not listed under the Washington Convention (CITES) or EU wildlife trade regulations. Purchasing, keeping, and shipping this spider is 100% legal within the European Union and requires no registration certificates, permits, or captive breeding documentation.
Is this tarantula suitable for beginner keepers?
Hapalopus guerreroi is an outstanding choice for keepers seeking a compact, beautifully patterned tarantula with moderate care requirements. Its hardiness and tolerance of average room temperatures forgive minor beginner oversights. Keepers should simply account for its speed and defensive sprint reflex, practicing routine maintenance with long tweezers rather than attempting physical handling.
Looking for a rare, compact dwarf tarantula with striking contrast and thrilling predatory instincts? Select your preferred developmental stage from the list, add this spider to your cart, and enjoy observing one of Colombia's finest arachnid jewels in your home collection.
Shipping and Live Arrival Guarantee
During cold weather, every parcel is equipped with a professional HeatPack to maintain stable temperatures throughout transit.
Live animals are shipped exclusively from Monday to Thursday to prevent packages from lingering in transit hubs over the weekend.
We take complete responsibility for safe transit, guaranteeing that your spider arrives healthy and in peak condition.
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