Neoholothele incei

Neoholothele incei hails from the lush rainforests of Venezuela and Trinidad, where the weather is as muggy as a conservatory in August. The species makes its home in the leaf litter and muddy ground, often burrowing among roots and rocks. Here, days are warm and humid, while nights can see a touch of chill, though nothing too dramatic. The environment is a patchwork quilt of thick undergrowth, decaying wood, and the ever-present sound of rain. In captivity, they appreciate a set-up that mimics the secure nooks and hidey-holes of their natural stomping grounds. Homebodies by nature, they'll spend much of their time weaving intricate tunnels and webs in a bid to recreate the rainforest floor.

Neoholothele incei is a petite package, measuring in at around 7–9 cm diagonal leg span when fully grown. Females are generally the chunkier of the two, while males stay slimmer and, as is common, bow out of the party rather sooner. They won’t take over your shelf like some of the true giants, but they won’t go missing in the cracks either. Growth is steady but not particularly brisk, so you’ll have plenty of time to watch your little bulldozer mature.

This little maestro is textbook fossorial, meaning it loves to dig, tunnel, and occasionally burst forth like a tartan jack-in-the-box. In captivity, expect it to burrow and construct a sprawling network of silken tunnels, sometimes right up the sides of its enclosure. It’s rare to see them climbing, but with enough anchor points, you’ll get to marvel at their web-building prowess. They aren’t tree dwellers, but they’re certainly not shy about making the most out of ground-level real estate. If you enjoy watching a spider rearrange the landscape, you’ll love N. incei’s relentless redecorating.

For a small tarantula, N. incei isn't in a rush to check out. Females can stick around for a hearty 7–10 years, making them long-term companions for those who like a reliable flatmate. The lads aren't quite so blessed, typically reaching 2–3 years once they mature—inevitably feeling nature's call to spread their genes and then fade into legend. With good care and a watchful eye, you’ll enjoy your N. incei’s company for many years, unless you have an especially enterprising male!

Neoholothele incei grows at a moderate clip—nothing too frantic, but not slowpoke territory either. Slings will pile on size more quickly with regular meals and warmer temperatures (21–24°C hits the spot). If you keep things on the cool side or put them on a diet, don’t expect record times. Patience is rewarded, but diligent feeding and appropriate warmth will see your fuzzy tunnel-dweller upgrade its wardrobe every few months.

In the world of tarantulas, N. incei ranks rather low on drama. They’re not prone to rearing up or plotting your downfall from the shadows. Defence is usually a lightning retreat into their web maze. Fast-moving? Absolutely! Prepare for a disappearing act if disturbed. They’re rarely aggressive, but respect is always key, especially during maintenance. Think of them as the nervous neighbour: quick to hide but not likely to start a row.

Aim for a balmy 21–24°C—just what this species would expect in its rainforest digs. The odd dip to 19°C at night isn’t a tragedy, but don’t let things plummet for too long. Most British homes are perfectly serviceable, but if yours feels like the North Sea in February, a gentle heat mat on the side of the enclosure can help. Don’t get carried away with under-tank heating or direct bulbs, though—it’s a spider, not a pizza. Always keep an eye on temperatures with a reptile thermometer.

Keep the humidity around 65–75% RH. This doesn’t mean creating a miniature steamy jungle, just moistening part of the substrate every week or so, letting the rest dry out. Good cross-ventilation is crucial—avoid stuffy, damp conditions unless you want a fungal disco. Provide a small water dish at all times (even if it ends up webbed over), and don’t be alarmed if you never see your spider sipping. A well-hydrated spider is a happy spider, so maintain that substrate moisture without turning things into a bog.

Let’s be honest: N. incei are the Houdinis of the spider world. You might not see them for days, but peek in at dusk with a torch and you’ll catch them plotting their next grand redecoration. Once settled, they often sit at the mouth of their burrow or web. Juveniles and adults are especially active after feeding or when adjusting their fortress of silk. Their webbing habits, complex tunnels, and sudden appearances make them endlessly entertaining, even if they’re shy about public appearances.

Frankly, they’re web-happy. N. incei will lather the enclosure in silk, constructing tunnels and chambers that look like an avant-garde art installation. Some keepers joke that you end up keeping web as much as a spider! Webbing often serves as highways, retreats, and feeding platforms. When prey blunders onto a silken tripwire, expect an ambush worthy of a true hunter. Web density increases with confidence and maturity, so let them settle in and watch the magic happen.

N. incei are voracious eaters with a taste for the dramatic. Slings will enthusiastically tackle pre-killed or small live prey such as pinhead crickets, fruit flies, or tiny mealworms, usually twice a week. Juveniles can handle small crickets, roach nymphs, or mealworms a couple of times a week. Adults appreciate a medium cricket or similar-sized roach once a week—don’t overfeed or you’ll soon have a rotund recluse! Remove uneaten food within 24 hours, especially if the spider is in pre-moult. Growth rates can be dialled up with frequent meals and the right temperature, but patience pays off for a healthy specimen. Avoid prey items that are too large or persistent, and never leave live food with a moulting spider. Watch for stunning feeding strikes—N. incei seldom refuse a meal when hungry!

Start with a small plastic or acrylic enclosure (like a 2–3 litre tub) for juveniles and work up to something around 20x20x20cm for adults. Height isn’t crucial, but floor space and depth are: provide 7–10cm of slightly moist coco fibre or similar substrate for tunnelling. Good ventilation keeps things fresh, so opt for well-vented lids or side vents. Add a bit of cork bark as a starter burrow, and expect it to become engulfed in web soon enough. A small, shallow water dish is a must—clean it regularly, regardless of how webby it gets! Avoid décor-heavy set-ups, as they’ll all be swaddled in silk anyway. Cleaning is limited to spot checks—never tear apart their web tunnels unless absolutely necessary.

Despite their skittishness and speed, N. incei are delightful for beginners ready for fossorial fun, as well as intermediate keepers. Their care is straightforward and their enclosure requirements aren’t fussy. As long as you respect their personal space, they’re generally trouble-free. Just remember: no handling, fast spider! Hobbyists looking for an adorable pet rock may be disappointed, but fans of web construction and drama-free critters will be well satisfied.

Neoholothele incei might be small, but they’re full of personality, even if most of it happens underground or behind curtains of web. Their web-building is second to none, their temperament is mild, and their care needs are straightforward—ideal for those dipping their toes in fossorial spiders or anyone craving a low-drama, high-creativity tarantula. Fast movers, yes, but not intimidating once you understand their quirks. The true joy of N. incei is watching them engineer their homes and occasionally dash out for a snack. If you like a bit of mystery alongside your spider-keeping, this is one species that absolutely delivers. You won’t regret letting them silk up your shelves!