Magnacrus tongmianensis spiderling • 1″ (Vietnamese stout-leg earthtiger)

Description

This listing is for Magnacrus tongmianensis spiderlings. M. tongmianensis has the common name, Vietnamese stout-leg earthtiger. Before 2002 we called it Ornithoctoninae sp. “Vendula.” Scientific description then came, and in 2025, renaming (M. tongmianensis) [1]. Hoang et al report the type locality as the Central Highlands of Vietnam and express doubt that M. tongmianensis exists in China.

Back to the hobby. We have a medium-size, serious obligate burrower with thickened back legs. Spiderlings quickly burrow, lining the tunnel with thickened web, among the toughest we’ve seen. From the tunnel entrance a spiderling can overcome prey as long as itself. Shading, pattern and color develop with increasing size.

As always, we keep spiderlings on slight dampened substrate, limiting ventilation to allow humidity to build. Spiderlings dig and enlarge a space at the enclosure base. Room temperature (68-72F) is fine, warmer temperatures to 80F hasten growth. As long as substrate is kept slightly dampened–not wet and not dry–health should be fine.

Why M. tongmianensis? An obligate burrower with thickened back legs and behavior, setting it apart from other SE Asian fossorial tarantulas.

Photos: 1,2,3,4-one of the specimens for sale (ArachnoEden)

Care highlights:

• slightly dampened substrate
• elevate humidity by restricting ventilation
• room temperature (68-72F) up to 80F
• less enclosure moisture for juveniles & older specimens

[1] Hoang, Q. D., Yu, K., Wendt, I., West, R., & Wirth, V. (2025). The new genus Magnacrus (Araneae: Theraphosidae: Ornithoctoninae) from Vietnam, with notes on Citharognathus hosei Pocock, 1895. Zootaxa, 5701, 351–381. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5701.3.5