Yasuni Tree Spider

The Yasuni Tree Spider (Tapinauchenius sp. 'Yasuni') is an UNDESCRIBED species from Yasuni National Park, Ecuador — 'sp.' marks a species science hasn't formally named yet, and 'Yasuni' is the locality that lets the trade tell it apart. Sold as a metallic gold arboreal, it's a glossy, extremely fast Tappie with no urticating hairs. Because it's undescribed, every figure here is provisional — correct its adult size from your own molt records as they accumulate.

Temperature75–82°F (24–28°C) — warm room with a gradient (top warmest). Steady tropical warmth; no hot basking lamps.
HumidityDamp but ventilated, 70–80% — and airflow matters more than the humidity number. Keep the lower substrate lightly damp and the top dry, overflow the dish or drip the sides, and cross-ventilate strongly. These are moisture-appreciating arboreals that must not sit in stagnant wet air.
Adult sizeA small species: adults reach 4–4.5 inches across the legs (diagonal leg span). A relatively fast grower — expect visible progress between molts when well fed.
LifespanFemales roughly 6–9 years; mature males 2–3 years (provisional — undescribed species).

Enclosure

Tall arboreal — height over floor, a vertical cork slab and branches for climbing and heavy webbing, strong cross-ventilation. It builds silk tube retreats up and down the enclosure. Front-opening and very secure — these are among the fastest tarantulas alive and bolt at any opening. Slings in tall, airy vials. Not a species for frequent rehousing: set the final layout early.

Substrate & water

1–2 inches of lightly damp coco/topsoil at the base for humidity, drier on top, with a water dish. The habitat is vertical; substrate is for moisture. Ventilate the base.

Feeding

An eager, rapid feeder and fast grower that ambushes from its silk. Prey to abdomen size — fruit flies/pinheads for slings, crickets for adults; slings twice weekly, adults weekly. Remove uneaten prey promptly.

Temperament & defenses

Intermediate: typical Tapinauchenius — extremely fast, glossy, eager, no urticating hairs, defends by bolting or a cornered bite. Venom mild. Its undescribed status changes the paperwork, not the behaviour: it's as quick as any in the genus. Rehouse deliberately with a catch cup; treat every opening with full respect.

Keeper’s notes

For the keeper who enjoys husbandry a bit at the frontier — an undescribed, metallic-gold Ecuadorian Tappie whose numbers are still being written by the hobby (yours included, if you log molts). All the glossy speed and eager feeding of the genus. Height, airflow, a damp base, respect for the pace — and the small thrill of keeping something science hasn't finished naming.