Environmental Caution: 

When a damp environment has too little air circulation, this can lead to an anaerobic environment. Where the typical aerobic bacteria helps keep certain types of waste from building up, they are instead replaced by anaerobic bacteria whose waste is more likely to be toxic and harmful. This is often accompanied by a strong swampy smell.

To guard against anaerobic environments, it is important to monitor and control moisture in the environment as well as air quality. One way to maximize both is to have plentiful live plants as the byproduct of photosynthesis is oxygen and water. Springtails can help keep the substrate aerated and break down waste so that the beneficial bacteria can more easily turn it into plant food.

Defining Characteristics:

• Named for the breathtaking iridescent blue on the front
• Covers its entire habitat in layers of silk and build tunnels all throughout them
• Not particularly defensive, but quick to dart away to safety when it feels threatened

Name: Chilobrachys natanicharum is commonly known as the Electric Blue Earth Tiger Tarantula. The species name, natanicharum, was chosen through an auction to benefit cancer patients and the education of Indigenous Lahu children. The winner of the auction campaign was Nichada Properties Co., Ltd., Thailand, which suggested a combination of the names of company executives, Mr. Natakorn Changrew and Ms. Nichada Changrew.

Recommended Enclosure Size & Setup: Chilobrachys natanicharum is a fossorial species, meaning this animal will spend a lot of time underground and may need additional substrate to burrow. This species has been found in underground tunnels and up in mangrove trees. In captivity they create underground tunnels every time. We think that they make homes in the Mangrove Trees because the ground below them floods for part of the year.

Surface area of the enclosure should be no less than two times the spider's diagonal leg span in one direction and three times the diagonal leg span in the other. We recommend against allowing your fossorial spider more than two times their diagonal leg span as head space above their substrate as a fall from any higher could result in serious injury.

The enclosure should be tall enough to accommodate 2-3 inches of substrate for slings and 5+ inches for adults. Arachnid BioBedding is our top pick for substrate, as it was developed specifically with the needs of tarantulas in mind! ABG Mix, coco cradle, or Dig-It are good substrate options, as well.

Temperature (°F): This species thrives in the mid 70s to low 80s, so a temperature close to 80 degrees is ideal. Temperatures regularly dipping below 65 or spiking above 85° should be avoided. A reliable thermometer is strongly recommended.

Humidity: These spiders thrive in a humid environment, so the recommended ambient humidity should stay between 60 and 75%. This can be achieved by making sure the substrate is always at least slightly moistened. Depending on your location, you may need tools such as a humidifier to achieve this environment. 

The enclosure sides and décor should be spritzed at least lightly around twice a week to provide your animal droplets to drink from and keep humidity up. Do not spray your spider directly. A hygrometer is a great way to monitor the humidity for your animal and see any needed adjustments. 

Size: At the time of sale, this animal will be at least 1 inch. Females can grow to be up to 4 to 6 inches, and typically the males are a bit smaller. We measure our spiders using diagonal leg span. 

Age: Before making this species available to our customers, we ensure that they are well-established. This means our spiders are generally molted to a minimum of third instar and will have hatched 2 to 3 months prior to being listed for sale.

For spiders that we have not produced in house, we like to get 2 to 3 solid feedings in as well as the aforementioned minimums. They go through a 2-week minimum quarantine process to ensure the health of the animal. 

For this species, the average lifespan is 3 to 4 years in males, and 12 to 15 years in females when provided an adequate environment. 

These individuals are 8 to 12 months old.

Feeding: These spiders are currently eating two to three 1/4 inch crickets, once a week. There are a variety of appropriate prey items that you can offer, such as roaches, waxworms, black soldier fly larvae, hornworms, and silkworms. Consider feeding your prey items with our gutload formula to give your pet well-rounded nutrition.

We recommend that the prey items not be much longer than the tarantula's “head” is wide. Larvae are an exception—our larvae are harmless. Since they are very high in fat, they're not the best staple diet, however they make a great weight gain supplement.

Remove uneaten prey items after 24 hours, these may stress your animal out or endanger the spider during molting. Never attempt to feed a freshly molted tarantula less than a week after their molt to prevent injury to the spider. Depending on its age, the hardening process could take anywhere from 48 hours all the way up to a week.

Sexing: Due to age, Chilobrachys natanicharum from Josh’s Frogs are sold as unsexed.

Check out our individually listed spiders to see if we have what you’re looking for!

Color/Pattern: Adult Chilobrachys natanicharum are mostly shades of brown with lighter carapace and patellas (the first short leg segment after the first long leg segment coming off of the body). The chelicerae (fang housings) and the inside of its first 2 leg pairs and pedipalps have intensely iridescent blue hairs covering them. It almost looks like someone took a beige tarantula and sprayed the most intense, metallic, glow-in-the-dark metallic blue spray paint only on its front and the inside edges of their legs.

Social Behavior: Chilobrachys natanicharum is not a sociable animal and should be housed as an individual. Attempts at cohabitation can result in cannibalism. 

They make extensive web tunnels. Usually only their fronts (the parts that are electric blue) are visible hanging out of their burrows, waiting for food to go by. This species is very fast and quick to dart, out of the habitat if the opportunity presents itself.

Natural Range: Chilobrachys natanicharum can be found in a Mangrove Forest in the Phang Nga province of Thailand.

History in the Hobby: This species has been in the hobby for at least a decade, but is still fairly uncommon. It only got taxonified in 2023.

 Links of Interest:

• Arachnoboards.com
• TarantulaForum.com
• TheTarantulaCollective.com

Still not sure if Chilobrachys natanicharum from Josh's Frogs is the right pet for you? Read the reviews below and see what other customers are saying!