Sericopelma sp Santa Catalina Care Sheet
Welcome to the world of Eight Legged Beauties, where we turn fuzzy fear into fascination!
Today we’re exploring a mysterious and elegant tarantula from Panama — Sericopelma sp. “Santa Catalina.” With its sleek dark body, subtle velvety sheen, and moderate temperament, this species is a favorite for keepers who want a display tarantula with plenty of personality.
Meet the Species
Scientific name: Sericopelma sp. “Santa Catalina”
Common name: Santa Catalina Tarantula
Type: Terrestrial (ground‑dwelling)
Native to: Panama (Santa Catalina region)
Adult size: Up to ~7″ diagonal leg span according to one care source
Temperament: Generally calm / mellow; not overly aggressive
Lifespan: According to some sources, females may live ~15+ years, males significantly less.
Experience level: Intermediate — great for someone with some tarantula experience but not necessarily an Old‑World specialist
Fun Fact:
This species has a velvety, almost satin-like body and subtle orange or brown hairs — and despite its size, many keepers describe its behavior as surprisingly relaxed.
Setting Up Their Home
In the wild, S. sp. Santa Catalina is thought to live in humid, tropical forest floor habitats, possibly using burrows or staying under natural debris.
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 “overflow” the water dish occasionally rather than saturating the substrate — this helps maintain humidity without drowning the enclosure.
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: Quick to retreat into substrate or hides; cautious.
• Adults: Relatively calm, not highly aggressive. Reported to be more tolerant than many large terrestrial tarantulas
• Handling: Not strongly recommended — while docile in some reports, they may be quick and nervous; best to observe rather than handle, especially with young or skittish animals.
Observation tip:
Watch for digging activity, substrate rearrangement, or use of hides. These behaviors often indicate they’re settling or exploring their home.
Common Challenges
Maintaining moisture without over‑watering
Providing sufficient substrate depth for burrowers
Preventing escape: they can be fast-bodied if startled
Feeding regime: adjusting prey size vs frequency can take some trial and error
Final Thoughts
Sericopelma sp. “Santa Catalina” is a beautiful, under-appreciated tarantula that offers both striking looks and rewarding behavior. With a proper terrestrial setup (deep substrate, a hide, and stable humidity), it can thrive in captivity while giving you years of fascinating observation. This species is suited for keepers who want a manageable but not trivial tarantula — not a “pet you hold,” but definitely a pet you watch and admire.