Neoholothele incei Care Sheet
Welcome to the world of Eight Legged Beauties, where we turn fuzzy fear into fascination!
Today we’re featuring a little but lively tarantula from the Caribbean — Neoholothele incei, better known as the Trinidad Olive Tarantula. Despite its size, this species is known for its web‑building habits, surprising speed, and even the potential for communal setups — making it a fun and engaging spider to keep.
Meet the Species
Scientific name: Neoholothele incei
Common name: Trinidad Olive Tarantula, Olive Morph
Type: Terrestrial / fossorial (heavy web‑builder)
Native to: Trinidad & parts of Venezuela
Adult size: ~3" (females ~3 in / 7.5 cm) according to some sources
Temperament: Skittish, very fast, webs heavily, may throw threat pose but prefers to flee
Lifespan: Females up to 7 years; males up to 2 years
Experience level: Intermediate — small size + speed + webbing make it lively but manageable
Fun Fact:
N. incei is one of the few tarantulas that is commonly kept communal — with enough space and food, multiple Olive morphs can live together peacefully.
Setting Up Their Home
In nature, N. incei lives in tropical, humid environments and makes silk-lined burrows or dense web tubes just below or at the substrate surface.
Enclosure Tips
• For spiderlings: Use a small acrylic box, ~3× leg span wide.
• For juveniles: Medium terrestrial enclosure, width ~3–4× leg span.
• For adults: Larger terrestrial setup, width ~3–4× (or more) leg span; height kept modest to avoid fall risk.
• Orientation: Wider than tall — emphasizes horizontal space over height.
• Security: Ensure a tight-fitting lid, well-drilled ventilation holes; these spiders can be escape artists.
Substrate
Use about ½ to ¾ of the enclosure depth of:
Organic topsoil / Terra Aranea (or similar mix)
Keep it firm but diggable
For slings: maintain one slightly damp corner; for adults: mostly dry with a moist retreat zone
Add a hide like cork bark, a fake plant, or half a flowerpot. A shallow water dish is essential, even if rarely used.
Temperature & Humidity
Setting Ideal Range Tips
Temperature 75-85°F Room temp is usually fine. Avoid heat lamps or direct sunlight.
Humidity 60-70% Keep mainly dry substrate; lightly mist or overflow water dish occasionally.
Ventilation High Proper airflow prevents mold.
Pro Tip:
Mist lightly or use a damp corner rather than drenching the substrate. This keeps humidity stable without drowning the web network.
Feeding Time
Spiderlings
Feed 2× per week
Pinhead crickets, fruit flies, or tiny roaches
Remove uneaten prey after 24 hours
Juveniles
Feed every 7–10 days
2–3 small crickets or one medium roach
Adults
Feed every 2–3 weeks
4–5 large crickets or one adult Dubia roach
Tip:
A healthy tarantula’s abdomen should be roughly the same width as its carapace.
Too plump = overfed. Too thin = time for a snack.
After a molt, always wait until the fangs are black again before offering food.
(Usually 24–48 hrs for slings, up to a week or more for adults.)
Behavior & Temperament
• Spiderlings: Fast, web lots, and often hide in silk tubes.
• Adults: Generally peaceful, very web‑oriented, and may retreat rather than fight.
• Handling: Not recommended — small size + speed + webbing make handling risky; better to enjoy via observation.
Observation tip:
Look for intricate web structures, especially tunnels near the substrate surface — this species builds dense silk homes.
Common Challenges
Keeping humidity balanced — too much = mold, too little = desiccation
Managing communal setups — need enough space and food to minimize stress and cannibalism
Preventing escape — their speed and webbing make them tricky
Providing secure web anchor points — they make lots of silk
Final Thoughts
Neoholothele incei (Trinidad Olive) is a fascinating, fast-growing, and behaviorally rich dwarf tarantula. Its potential for communal housing, strong silk-building, and vibrant olive coloration make it a favorite for keepers who want something more than just a display spider. With the right setup — moderate substrate, a humid base, and secure enclosure — this little beauty can thrive and bring years of web-filled wonder to your collection.