Heteroscodra maculata
Price range: £10.00 through £40.00
Highly committed to the art of disappearing, only pausing from web fortress renovations to flatten a cricket or give you a threat pose you didn’t ask for.
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Heteroscodra maculata, widely known as the Togo Starburst, is a classic choice for those who like a challenge, or simply enjoy not seeing their spider for weeks at a time. Native to West and Central Africa’s steamy rainforests, these arboreal tarantulas are built for heights, claiming vertical retreats and decorating every available surface in silk. Their chalky-white legs and cryptic markings do make them a showpiece, should they bother to make an appearance outside their web fortress.
Not one for beginners, H. maculata is fast, defensive and isn’t shy about reminding you whose enclosure it is. With no urticating hairs, they rely instead on sheer speed, potent venom and a knack for vanishing into webbed retreats. Handling is best avoided – a catch cup is your best mate during enclosure maintenance. Temperatures between 24–27°C and humidity around 65–80% keep them content, with a vertical enclosure kitted out for webbing and an upright hide being essential. Good cross-ventilation is critical to prevent stuffiness, and a water dish should always be topped up (preferably with water, not cricket legs).
Feeding is straightforward: they’re enthusiastic hunters, even as slings, and rarely turn down an appropriately sized meal. Slings rocket through growth phases, earning the Starburst a reputation for being one of the quicker growers – blink and you’ll miss the awkward adolescent moult. Females are in for the long run, with lifespans up to 15 years; males unfortunately burn the candle at both ends. Notoriously elusive in the daylight but prone to nocturnal redecorating, you’ll often find yourself admiring their intricate webs more than the spider itself.
For those who know what they’re doing, Heteroscodra maculata is a textbook African arboreal: hardy, occasionally dramatic, and never dull (even if frequently invisible). A genuine display of web architecture, attitude, and patience-testing behaviour, best reserved for keepers who appreciate a bit of mystery with their spiders.
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Neutral UK availability and pricing context for this exact Species record.
Species care guide
Heteroscodra maculata
Adult Size
12–15 cm diagonal leg span
Temperature
24–27°C
Humidity
65–80% RH
Temperament
Let’s be honest: H. maculata doesn’t do cuddles and isn’t shy about making its feelings known. Fast, defensive, and quick to vanish into a silk fortress, this is a tarantula best admired from a safe distance. When disturbed, expect a display of lightning-quick sprints and the occasional threat pose—just its way of saying ‘Kindly leave me be!’ They’re not aggressive for the sake of it, but respect goes a long way. Not a good candidate for handling, unless you fancy a wild goose chase around your living room.
Defence
Unlike many New World tarantulas, the Togo Starburst lacks urticating hairs. Instead, it relies on sheer speed and a willingness to make a dramatic exit, occasionally backing it up with a threat pose or even a rare bite if extremely provoked. Their bite can be medically significant and very painful, courtesy of potent venom, so best not to test it. Always use tools or catch cups during maintenance, and give them a head’s up before fiddling with their web home.
Visibility
If you’re looking for a constant showcase spider, the Togo Starburst might keep you on your toes… or just keep hiding from you. They’re champions of the out-of-sight competition, especially during daylight hours. Night-time, however, can bring out their bolder side as they pop out to hunt or do a bit of redecorating. When you do catch a glimpse, it’s a treat—their lightning moves and gorgeous patterns are worth the wait. Just accept that their ‘web cave’ is often what you’ll admire most.
Experience Level
This is not a starter tarantula. The speed, defensiveness, and potent venom make H. maculata best left to keepers with a good bit of confidence, a steady hand, and a respect for personal boundaries. Intermediate to advanced hobbyists will find the Starburst rewarding—beautiful, hardy, and brimming with personality (well, as much as an African ‘no-touchy’ web goblin can muster). Beginners should cut their teeth on something a touch less dramatic before inviting one of these into their collection.
Webbing
H. maculata is a world-class web decorator. Expect to see your enclosure transformed into a stunning tangle of tunnels, platforms, and retreats—think of it as spider interior design, where clutter is very much in. Webbing is used both for security (they love a snug silk retreat) and as a hunting aid to detect prey vibrations. In the right setup, you’ll witness intricate, persistent webbing that adds heaps of visual interest, even if you don’t see the spider itself all that much.
Feeding
When it comes to food, the Togo Starburst is usually an enthusiastic hunter. Slings will take on fruit flies, micro crickets, or tiny roasted roaches, progressing up to larger crickets, locusts, and dubia roaches as they grow. Juicy prey items offered once or twice a week will keep juveniles and slings happy—adults do well on a schedule of one appropriately sized meal every 7–10 days. Always remove uneaten prey after 24 hours, especially during a moult, to avoid stress or injury. They’ll rarely turn down a meal, so beware of overfeeding—those webs can hide a portly spider. Watch for signs of premoult: darkening skin and refusal to eat are your cues to put the tongs away for a bit.
Enclosure Recommendations
A vertically oriented enclosure is a must—think tall, not wide, and at least 30cm high for adults. Sturdy ventilation on all sides prevents stuffiness, while a secure, escape-proof lid is non-negotiable. A base layer of 5–10cm of coco fibre or similar substrate keeps humidity stable. Include an upright cork bark hide (big enough for the spider to fit comfortably), plus plenty of anchor points for webbing. Don’t forget a wide, stable water dish that can’t be tipped over. Keep the enclosure clean—remove leftover food promptly—and avoid overcrowding the space with too many decorations. Above all: if your Togo Starburst is webbing up a storm and lurking in the heights, you’ve nailed it!
Final Thoughts
Heteroscodra maculata isn’t a spider for the faint-hearted, but it’s an absolute gem for experienced keepers who love dramatic web engineers with attitude. Their speed, defensive nature, and potent venom demand respect (and quick reflexes), but their stunning chalky-white legs and intricate web lairs make them unforgettable additions to any collection. They’re hardy, fascinatingly reclusive, and offer a genuine glimpse into the world of African arboreals. If you’ve mastered more forgiving tarantulas and want a next-level challenge, the Togo Starburst’s blend of beauty, brains, and bravado won’t disappoint. Just remember: look, don’t touch, and keep your catch cup handy!
Species-specific FAQs are not available yet.
Shipping & Live Arrival (DOA) Policy
At The Spoodoire, the safety and wellbeing of our tarantulas always comes first. Every spider is packed with care using secure containers, insulation when needed, and appropriate ventilation to help ensure safe travel.
Shipping Information
- We currently ship within the UK only.
- Live animals are shipped using approved next-day delivery services where possible.
- Orders are usually dispatched Monday–Wednesday to avoid weekend delays.
- We may delay shipping during periods of extreme hot or cold weather for animal welfare reasons.
- Customers will receive tracking details once their order has been dispatched.
Please ensure somebody is available to receive the parcel on the first delivery attempt.
Live Arrival Guarantee (DOA Policy)
We offer a Live Arrival Guarantee on all tarantulas provided the following conditions are met:
To qualify for a DOA claim:
- The parcel must be accepted on the first delivery attempt.
- We must be contacted within 1 hour of delivery confirmation.
- Clear photographs/videos of the unopened container and specimen must be provided.
- The tarantula must remain in its original packaging until reviewed.
If a DOA is confirmed, we will offer either:
- A replacement specimen (where available), or
- Store credit equal to the value of the animal.
Shipping costs are non-refundable.
Situations not covered by the guarantee
The Live Arrival Guarantee does not cover:
- Incorrect shipping information provided by the customer
- Delayed collection or missed deliveries
- Parcels redirected or left in unsafe locations
- Issues caused by extreme weather after delivery
- Stress-related behaviour, moulting, or temporary lethargy following transit
- Unsuitable temperatures.
Please allow your tarantula time to settle after arrival. Many spiders may remain motionless or defensive immediately after shipping, which is completely normal.
Weather Delays
We reserve the right to postpone shipping if temperatures are considered unsafe for transport. We would rather delay a parcel than risk the health of the animal.
Questions?
If you have any concerns about your order, packaging, or new eight-legged roommate, feel free to contact us and we’ll always do our best to help.
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