Neoholotele incei

Description

Neoholothele incei classic – a small tarantula, a vast web

Neoholothele incei classic is a small but very striking tarantula native to Trinidad. Despite its compact size, within a few weeks it can transform a terrarium into a dense network of webs, tunnels and chambers that look like a small, living city. The classic colour variant has an olive-brown colouration that contrasts beautifully with the light-coloured web. It is a fast, dynamic and exceptionally spectacular species, ideal for those who want to see “lots going on” in a small space.

Detailed description of the species

In the wild, Neoholothele incei is found in Trinidad and the Caribbean region, inhabiting leaf litter, spaces between roots, and crevices in the ground and around tree trunks. This tarantula has a lifestyle that lies between burrowing and semi-arboreal: it readily utilises both the ground and vertical surfaces, creating a multi-level web structure.

The classic variant is characterised by:

• with an olive-brown body colour,

• a slimmer figure,

• a striking contrast against the light-coloured web.

Adult females have a leg span of around 10–12 cm, making them quite compact, but it is the amount of web that is particularly impressive. This species is very active in building: it wraps the substrate, decorations and walls in web, creating an extensive network of tunnels and chambers. As a result, even in a relatively small terrarium, one can observe very complex behaviour.

The temperament of the Neoholothele incei classic is typical of a small, fast tarantula: it is a nervous, quick spider with a tendency to vanish into its burrow in a flash, but it usually prefers to flee rather than engage in open confrontation. For this reason, it is not the ideal species as a very first spider for someone who is afraid of rapid movements, but for a knowledgeable beginner or intermediate keeper, it will be extremely rewarding.

The benefits of Neoholothele incei classic

• Extreme spiderwebbing

  This tarantula really ‘gets on with it’ – a web, tunnels, chambers, and several levels of passageways. It looks like a living, miniature city.

• Small size, big impact

  You don’t need a huge terrarium to achieve a spectacular visual effect. Ideal for smaller setups.

• An interesting lifestyle

  The combination of burrowing and semi-arboreal behaviour offers plenty to observe: movement through tunnels, swift attacks on feeding sites, and changes in the structure of the web.

• A great breed – “to look at, not to stroke”

  If you’re interested in observing natural behaviour rather than taking a spider out of its terrarium, you’ve come to the right place.

Breeding conditions in practice

Terrarium:

• a tank measuring approximately 20x20x25 cm is more than enough for an adult fish,

• It is important to have good ventilation – a perforated lid, side vents, etc.,

• Essential materials for weaving: pieces of bark, twigs, and vertical or diagonal structures.

Substrate:

• coconut fibre or a similar neutral growing medium, without fertilisers,

• a layer 5–10 cm thick, so that the spider can reinforce its tunnels and build stable structures,

• the soil is slightly damp in the deeper layers, but drier near the surface.

Specifications:

• temperature: ideally 22–26 °C,

• humidity: 65–75 per cent, with no persistent ‘puddles’ or condensation,

• water: constant access to a small bowl of water.

Feeding:

• young insects: small crickets, gnats, insect larvae,

• larger spiders: medium-sized crickets, small cockroaches, larvae,

• we do not feed them a large, high-energy meal just before moulting,

• It is a good idea to regularly remove food scraps from the web and the substrate.

Who is Neoholothele incei classic for?

• for those who like spiderwebs, tunnels and the “living web” effect,

• for keepers who aren’t afraid of fast spiders,

• for more experienced beginners and intermediate dancers who are looking for something more dynamic than a calm, ground-based classic.

This isn’t a species to handle, but one to observe. If you treat a tarantula as a display animal rather than a ‘pet’, it will be perfect.

If you’re dreaming of a terrarium that, after a few weeks, looks like a miniature maze entwined in cobwebs, the Neoholothele incei classic is exactly what you’re looking for. Add this spider to your basket, prepare a well-ventilated terrarium with a thick layer of substrate and a few pieces of bark, and in return you’ll get an unassuming tarantula that will create a spectacular architectural masterpiece in your tank.