Psalmopoeus cambridgei

Psalmopoeus cambridgei, affectionately known as the Trinidad Chevron, hails from the lush rainforests of Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean. This vibrant locale offers them warm temperatures, high humidity, and plenty of opportunity to climb, hide, and hunt in dense vegetation or tree hollows. The conditions in their native range are typically quite humid with temperatures generally hovering between 23–28°C. These tarantulas are right at home off the ground, making good use of vertical space and natural hidey-holes. Their wild habitat is a world of damp logs, towering foliage, and the occasional enthusiastic rainstorm, so they’re well adapted to a life aloft amidst a green paradise.

Adult Trinidad Chevrons are on the larger side for arboreals, with females reaching a diagonal leg span of 13–15 cm and males a bit smaller at around 11–12 cm. That’s a fair bit of spider and they really know how to fill out their spacious web retreats! Females are stockier and more robust, while males are leggier and somewhat more delicate (as is the way in the spood world). Growth is fairly quick, but you’ll want to make sure you’re giving slings extra room as they can surprise you by suddenly shooting up in size between moults.

P. cambridgei is thoroughly arboreal, meaning it absolutely loves life off the ground—think more hammock-in-the-trees than basement-dweller. In captivity, you’ll often see them scaling enclosure walls, webbing up corners, or holing themselves up in cork bark tubes. These clever spiders use vertical space to their advantage, creating silk retreats up high and rarely opting to dig or dwell on the ground level. They’re agile, making them entertaining to watch as they manoeuvre through their little rainforest. If you like your tarantulas with a touch of acrobatics and ninja-level tree-climbing, this species brings it in spades.

Females win the long-service medal, happily living 10–12 years in captivity with decent care—and sometimes even longer if you’re lucky. Males are, alas, more fleeting: they usually mature after 2–3 years and typically live only 1–2 years thereafter. While it’s never easy to say goodbye to a male after such a brief but spirited existence, the females will keep you company for the long haul. Regular feeding, a suitable environment, and minimal stress all contribute to maximising their lifespan.

Psalmopoeus cambridgei is known for its impressively fast growth rate—definitely no slouch compared to some of the slower, more stubborn terrestrial species! With good feeding and ideal conditions, slings can reach juvenile and even sub-adult sizes in hardly any time; you’ll often notice significant size jumps between moults. Things slow down a bit once they near adulthood (especially for females), but they still remain on the speedy side. Warmer temperatures and regular, appropriately-sized feeding will see your little chevron growing before your eyes—like a furry, leggy weed.

Psalmopoeus cambridgei is a dash of drama queen mixed with ninja reflexes. Generally reclusive but lightning-fast if disturbed, they spend most of their time hidden away in silk retreats. Not aggressive by nature, but absolutely willing to show off their speed if you overstep their boundaries! Expect threat postures or darting escapes rather than stand-and-fight behaviour. These are not tarantulas for handling—catch cups are your friends. Their unpredictable bolting speed keeps things interesting for hobbyists; just be mindful and never trust a still cambridgei!

Aim for a cosy 22–26°C for your Trinidad Chevron. They can handle brief dips to 20°C without drama, but best to avoid long cold spells—tropical spiders don’t appreciate British winter in their enclosures! If your home drops below 20°C at night, a small heat mat on the side of a tall enclosure can be used but always avoid direct contact with the substrate to prevent overheating. Keep temperature consistent and use a digital thermometer to monitor conditions—these sensitive souls notice the difference. If you’re comfortable in a T-shirt indoors, your cambridgei will likely be satisfied as well.

Keep humidity around 65–75%, a tad higher than most terrestrials but typical for a Caribbean climber. Mist lightly once or twice a week, letting the top layers of substrate dry out a bit between sprays (no one likes wet feet constantly). Good cross-ventilation is key to preventing stagnant air and mould. Always provide a shallow water dish—even baby spiders appreciate the option for a quick slurp! Avoid making the enclosure soggy—excess moisture does no favours, especially once your spider settles into its web. Find the damp-but-fresh middle ground and your Chevron will thrive.

Visibility is a classic game of ‘now you see me, now you don’t’. As adults, P. cambridgei often waits in ambush at the mouth of their web tunnel, ready to pounce on prey with style—so you’ll catch regular glimpses, especially around feeding times. At night, they’re more active, sometimes wandering the enclosure like a tiny, stripy tree leopard. Youngsters are a bit shyer, staying hidden more often. Overall, while not the world’s most brazen show-off, they strike a nice balance between being secretive and providing some visual treats for patient keepers.

Talk about a home decorator! Chevrons are prolific webbers, spinning dense, intricate retreats in bark tubes, cork rounds, or between branches. Their webs serve as both defensive stronghold and hunting blind—the perfect spot for them to lunge at wayward crickets (or, occasionally, leap into the abyss during rehousing). Unlike terrestrial webbers, the silk here is usually in the upper half of the enclosure, filling hollows and climbing structures. Don’t be surprised to see them reworking or expanding their empire after each moult—or taking over unused flower pots in seconds!

Young cambridgei slings are voracious and respond with gusto to food. Start with suitably-sized prey like pre-killed pinhead crickets, micro roaches, or fruit flies. Feed slings 2–3 times per week; they grow fast and often—just watch for that next explosive moult. Juveniles can move up to one or two small crickets or roaches a week, and adults will greedily snatch anything up to an appropriately sized locust or mealworm every 7–10 days. Remove uneaten prey within 24 hours, especially before moults—these spiders hate uninvited dinner guests during vulnerable moments. Avoid overfeeding to prevent obesity, especially in females; plump abdomens may look healthy but can create moulting complications. Remember: a chunky Chevron does not equal a happy one!

A vertical-style enclosure is essential—think tall, not wide. For adults, 30cm (H) x 20cm (W) x 20cm (D) is a good starting point; slings do well in tall deli cups or small arboreal tubs, upgraded as they grow. Use at least 5cm of slightly damp substrate (coco fibre, soil blends) to help with humidity, but don’t overdo it—these spiders won’t dig. Cork bark tubes or curved pieces make excellent vertical hides; fill the upper enclosure with climbing options (fake plants, branches) to encourage webbing. A small, stable water dish (don’t forget to clean it!) is a must. Ventilation is key—cross-vent holes stop stuffiness and keep mould at bay. Prepare for ample silk, and avoid fiddling inside the enclosure too much, lest you witness a high-speed dart for freedom.

Psalmopoeus cambridgei isn’t ideal for absolute beginners thanks to their speed, risk of escape, and slightly more demanding humidity needs. Confident intermediates and up will find them a real joy, especially those looking for something less stubborn than some of the old world counterparts. If you’ve kept a few arboreals or feisty terrestrials, stepping up to a Chevron is a logical next move. Not for the handling crowd, but perfect for keepers wanting a lively, display-capable species with gorgeous patterning and fun behaviours.

The Trinidad Chevron is the perfect blend of beauty, attitude, and intrigue. Their bold markings and energetic feeding response deliver regular entertainment, while their industrious webbing adds a touch of wild rainforest drama to your shelf. They’re not for the faint of heart—or the ham-fisted handler—but for intermediate and advanced hobbyists, P. cambridgei are unforgettable. They demand a bit more attention to detail than your average terrestrial and can turn rehousing into an adrenaline sport, but the rewards are well worth it. Come for the pattern, stay for the personality. Just don’t forget your catch cup—and your sense of humour!