Violet Tree Spider (Tapinauchenius Cupreus)

Tapinauchenius is probably one of the fastest species of Tarantula on the planet. From sling to adult, they are capable of teleportation from one side of an enclosure to another in the blink of an eye. These are very sleek looking tarantulas, with a metallic and almost silky appearance. Juveniles and freshly molted specimens can be dark purple or violet with a slight gold sheen over their bodies. As specimens progress through a molt cycle and also get to their older years, their dark purple becomes shrouded by a metallic golden overlay, making it evident why one of it’s common names is the “Black & Gold Tree Spider”.

Violet tree spider is a “New world” arboreal species which is more like an Old World species in appearance and definition. They lack urticating bristles /hairs on the abdomen and also lack the ability to stridulate (chafe) their fangs. Their venom is medically significant and bites are painful.