Orphnaecus sp. Kordillera (ex. Selenocosmia sp. Kordillera)
Leave feedback on the product
Select product variant:
Individual variants may differ in price
Ask about the product
Administratorem danych osobowych jest PHU Krystian Solga. Przetwarzamy je w celu przesłania odpowiedzi na zapytanie. Więcej informacji dotyczących przetwarzania danych osobowych znajduje się w polityce prywatności.
Share the product card
Shipping cost for the selected product
The shipping cost applies to this product (in the selected variant - if applicable). It may change after adding other products to the cart.
Description
Orphnaecus sp. Kordillera (ex. Selenocosmia sp. Kordillera) - Striking Fossorial Kordillera Earth Tiger Tarantula
Orphnaecus sp. Kordillera (commonly known in the hobby as Selenocosmia sp. Kordillera or the Kordillera Earth Tiger) is one of the most sought-after Asian fossorial tarantulas. This species stands out with a color contrast unique among Old World tarantulas: metallic cobalt legs blend seamlessly with a velvety peach-salmon carapace. A master subterranean architect, it weaves an intricate system of silk-lined tunnels, while its spectacular dusk ambush hunting provides thrilling observations.
- Extraordinary coloration: Rich, steel-blue and cobalt sheen on the legs paired with a bright, peach carapace.
- Subterranean architect: Impressive tunneling skills, excavating extensive burrows and heavily webbing trapdoor entrances with signal silk.
- Thrilling hunting dynamics: Lightning-fast feeding response and spectacular ambush attacks on passing feeder insects.
- 100% legal without CITES: Species not subject to CITES restrictions, requiring no registration or burdensome paperwork.
| Scientific name | Orphnaecus sp. Kordillera (commonly traded as Selenocosmia sp. Kordillera) |
| Origin | Philippines (Luzon island, Central Cordillera mountain range) |
| Habitat | Mountain rainforests and cloud forests on steep slopes |
| Lifestyle | Strictly fossorial (burrowing) |
| Adult size | Leg span 15-16 cm with 6-7 cm body length for females (males slenderer, 7.5-8 cm leg span) |
| Daytime temperature | 22-26°C (72-79°F) (maximum 28°C (82°F), avoid overheating) |
| Nighttime temperature | 18-20°C (64-68°F) (natural nighttime drop simulating mountain microclimate) |
| Humidity | 70-80% (vertical gradient: consistently moist burrow base, drier top layer) |
| Substrate depth | 15-20 cm of compact, packed substrate mixed with binder clay |
| Urticating hairs | None (Old World species, defends via retreat, stridulation, and bite) |
| Venom potency | Potent venom (25-30 cm terrarium tweezers required, strictly no handling) |
| Difficulty level | Intermediate to advanced |
| Legal status | No CITES (invertebrate does not require registration or permits) |
Variant selection and first steps with your chosen instar
When choosing your tarantula, you decide on the starting stage of a fascinating keeping journey. Early-instar spiderlings feature uniform ash-gray coloration and undergo a spectacular transformation with every molt - the first steel-blue hues appear on the legs as early as L3-L4 instar. Many keepers choose to purchase 2-3 slings, which significantly increases the chance of raising an adult, long-lived female. Older juveniles and mature specimens, on the other hand, already display the full brilliance of their contrasting cobalt colors. Whichever stage you choose, follow our proven acclimation procedure upon receiving your parcel:
Step 1: Gentle thermal acclimation - After unboxing your shipment, leave the spider in its original transport vial for 24 hours at 20-22°C (68-72°F) without heating. Rapidly raising the temperature after transport unnecessarily spikes metabolism and compounds stress.
Step 2: Preparing the right enclosure - House young spiderlings in small, well-ventilated containers with substrate filled to three-quarters of the container height. Juveniles and adults require a horizontal enclosure with a high front threshold accommodating a minimum of 15-20 cm of compacted substrate. Always make a small starter burrow under a piece of cork bark so the spider can start digging immediately.
Step 3: First post-arrival feeding - Offer the first meal only after at least 24 hours in the new enclosure. The prey size must measure between 50% and a maximum of 100% of the spider's abdomen length, preventing stress and ensuring a secure takedown.
What enclosure and substrate should you prepare for Orphnaecus sp. Kordillera?
Young spiderlings (L1-L3) are best raised in small, ventilated 100-250 ml containers with 5-7 cm of substrate, providing easy hunting and security. An adult female requires a 30x30x30 cm horizontal enclosure with a 15-20 cm layer of dense, clay-mixed substrate and efficient cross-ventilation.
In nature, this montane tarantula inhabits steep hillsides where the soil is clay-heavy and retains moisture well. In captivity, the best results come from a blend of 60% fine coco coir or peat moss, 30% binder clay, and 10% sand. Natural, diagonally placed cork bark works perfectly as a burrow starter. Proven keeper tip: if you guide the burrow entrance along a transparent wall and shield it with a piece of dark cardboard, lifting the cover grants a fascinating window into the spider's subterranean life without disturbing it. Placing moist Sphagnum moss in the deeper substrate layers stores water effectively and establishes a stable vertical moisture gradient. Introducing springtails as a cleanup crew keeps the underground burrows biologically clean with zero mold risk.
What to feed Orphnaecus sp. Kordillera and how to structure its diet?
The diet consists of live feeder insects sized strictly according to the tarantula's abdomen. Feed young slings twice a week with small hatchlings, juveniles every 7-10 days with medium feeders, and adult spiders every 2-3 weeks with large protein meals.
This predator hunts around a dense web matrix radiating from the burrow entrance. When an insect touches the tripwires, the tarantula darts out from its retreat and drags the prey underground in the blink of an eye. For the youngest instars, freshly hatched red runner roaches and pinhead crickets work best. Juveniles readily tackle small Dubia roaches and mealworms, while adult females easily overpower large Dubia roaches, Madagascar hissing roaches, and adult locusts. After a successful feeding, promptly remove any boluses discarded on the surface to keep the enclosure free from mites.
Common keeping mistakes and how to avoid them
- Overheating the enclosure above 28°C (82°F): This species originates from cooler montane regions. Prolonged exposure to temperatures above 28°C (82°F) without a nighttime drop to 18-20°C (64-68°F) causes lethal thermal stress and drastically shortens lifespan.
- Using only loose coco coir: Pure coir collapses when slightly dry, preventing stable burrow construction. Always blend in 20-30% binder clay to reinforce tunnel walls.
- Stagnant humid air: Combining high humidity with poor ventilation leads to mold buildup and tarantula mortality. The enclosure must feature effective cross-ventilation or multi-point airflow.
- Direct handling and careless maintenance: Old World tarantulas lack urticating hairs but possess potent venom. In an enclosure with deep substrate, their primary defense when disturbed is to retreat deep into the burrow. Always perform cage maintenance and feeding using 25-30 cm terrarium tweezers, ensuring complete confidence and 100% keeper safety.
Taxonomic revision: why the former Selenocosmia actually belongs to the genus Orphnaecus
In the international hobby, this taxon was known for years as Selenocosmia sp. Kordillera or the commercial trade name Kordillera Earth Tiger. Older literature erroneously suggested Australian origins due to the historical association of the genus Selenocosmia with the Australian continent. Modern morphological studies of exuviae and stridulatory organs conclusively proved that this spider is endemic to the Philippines and belongs to the genus Orphnaecus Simon, 1892. The diagnosis relies on the reniform stridulatory lyra bearing clavate setae on the maxillae, female spermathecae with a characteristic tombstone-like profile, the absence of stiff paddle setae on the metatarsus of the fourth leg pair, and the lack of tibial apophyses in mature males. We retain both names in our listing to help hobbyists accustomed to traditional nomenclature easily locate the species.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the venom of Orphnaecus sp. Kordillera dangerous to humans?
The venom of this tarantula exhibits high biological potency, typical of Asian Selenocosmiinae representatives. A bite causes sharp localized pain, pronounced swelling, and muscle cramping lasting from several hours to a few days. While not life-threatening to a healthy adult, it requires strict discipline and respect. Using 25-30 cm terrarium tweezers provides total safety during feeding and routine maintenance.
Does purchasing and keeping Orphnaecus sp. Kordillera require CITES permits or registration?
No. No species within the genus Orphnaecus or Selenocosmia is listed under the Washington Convention (CITES). This invertebrate requires no registration, permits, or captive-breeding certificates. You receive a 100% legal animal completely free from bureaucratic paperwork.
How do you properly hydrate deep substrate to prevent mold inside the burrow?
The safest approach is hydrating the lower substrate levels using a syringe with a long cannula or gently pouring water into a single corner of the enclosure. The water drains directly to the bottom where the spider rests in stable humidity, while the upper substrate surface remains moderately dry. This vertical moisture gradient effectively suppresses mold growth and mites.
Ready to observe this extraordinary Asian subterranean architect in your own home? Select your preferred developmental stage from the dropdown menu, prepare deep clay-rich substrate with cork bark, and enjoy hypnotic color contrasts and spectacular ambush feeding in your own vivarium!
Shipping & Live Arrival Guarantee
During cold weather, we secure every parcel with a professional HeatPack warmer to maintain the ideal temperature throughout transit.
We ship live animals exclusively Monday through Thursday to eliminate the risk of weekend delays in sorting facilities.
We take full responsibility for safe transit. We guarantee your animal arrives safe and healthy.
Reviews
If you've added a review and it doesn't appear on the list, it may be pending moderation.
Leave feedback on the product
