Phlogiellus sp. Png
PNG Orange Pygmy - complete care guide
PNG Orange Pygmy
Temperature
24-26 °C
Target ambient range
Humidity
70-80 %
Substrate / enclosure RH
Adult DLS
8-10 cm
Average - varies per individual
Moult interval
Sling 3-7w - Juv 1.8-3mo
Adult 9-14mo
Adult cycle = mature females; males never moult again after maturity
About
The PNG Orange Pygmy - an undescribed Papuan Phlogiellus with an orange body and patterned carapace, new to the UK via wild-caught sub-adults (£45). Known as "Nippers" at the vendor for good reason: bite-prone even by Old World standards, so respect is non-negotiable. Being WC stock, quarantine matters - hydrate well, check for parasites, and feed lightly at first. A compact, colourful project species for advanced keepers who like their tarantulas with attitude.
Husbandry cheat sheet
- Origin
- Papua New Guinea
- Habitat
- Tropical forest - opportunistic burrows
- Temperament
- Defensive
- In your collection
- 0
Growth, lifespan & conservation
- Growth rate
- Medium
- Maturity
- ♀ 36mo ♂ 24mo
- Lifespan
- ♀ 11yr ♂ 3yr
- Continent
- Oceania
- UK availability
- Rare in the hobby
Care Guide
Phlogiellus sp. Png
PNG Orange Pygmy - a complete husbandry sheet. Use as a starting point and adjust to your individual specimen.
What size enclosure does a PNG Orange Pygmy Tarantula need?
Adults
25 × 20 cm footprint with 10 cm of substrate.
Slings & Juveniles
Small tubs with 6-8 cm of substrate and an anchor.
To map exact floor space and substrate safety limits for your setup, use our free interactive tarantula enclosure planner.
What temperature and humidity does a PNG Orange Pygmy Tarantula need?
Heating
The PNG Orange Pygmies is comfortable at 24-26 °C. UK homes need supplementary warmth for much of the year; warm the room, never the tank floor.
Humidity
70-80 %: keep the lower substrate damp (never sodden) with strong cross-flow.
Ventilation
Cross-ventilation with high humidity.
What substrate is best for a PNG Orange Pygmy Tarantula?
Recommended Mixes
Depth
10 cm
Notes
Deep and packable, holding burrow and web structure.
How do you set up a PNG Orange Pygmy Tarantula enclosure?
Décor
The Hide
Its own webbed burrow; cork and substrate depth become the scaffolding.
Water
Shallow dish at surface level - critical for newly imported WC stock.
Lighting
Ambient room light only.
How often should you feed a PNG Orange Pygmy Tarantula?
Good Feeders
Long refusal worrying you? Separate premoult fasting from genuine problems with our "Is my T okay?" checker.
Is my PNG Orange Pygmy Tarantula dying or moulting?
Pre-moult signs to look for
Refusing food for weeks is normal before a moult - a healthy PNG Orange Pygmy Tarantula fasting is almost never an emergency in itself. Watch for slowing down and spending more time in the hide, laying a thick moult mat of web on the floor. Old World species do not flick urticating hairs, so there is no bald patch to watch - rely on fasting, lethargy and hide time instead.
On its back is MOULTING, not dying
A PNG Orange Pygmy Tarantula lying upside down or on its side with legs curled inwards is almost certainly mid-moult. Do not touch it, do not right it, do not mist it - just remove any live prey (crickets can kill a defenceless moulter) and leave the room.
How long between moults?
For this species, expect a moult roughly every 24-48 days for spiderlings, every 55-90 days for juveniles, and every 130-210 days for sub-adults, with adult females moulting around every 9.3 months (up to 14 months at the extreme). Males never moult again after their ultimate (mature) moult.
After the moult: fang hardening time
The new exoskeleton stays soft, with fangs that cannot grip, for roughly 7 days in this species. Offer no food and no handling for about 7 days - feeding too early is how fresh moulters get injured. The shed exuvium is also the best sexing tool there is - see our tarantula sexing guide for what to look for.
Genuinely worried about behaviour that is not moulting? Our "Is my T okay?" triage tool walks the danger signs one by one.
What ongoing care does a PNG Orange Pygmy Tarantula need?
🪞 Moulting
Moults in the webbed burrow. Do not disturb; keep the water dish full; wait until it reopens with hard black fangs before feeding. Adult intervals apply to mature females - males never moult after their ultimate moult.
🧹 Cleaning
Weekly: refresh the water dish and clear boluses with tongs.
✋ Handling
Never - genuinely bite-prone. Catch cup and lid discipline.
What are the most common mistakes when keeping PNG Orange Pygmy Tarantulas?
✓ What They Love
- QUARANTINE on arrival - WC stock
- Hydration first: offer water immediately
- Deep moist substrate + web anchors
- Long tongs and lid discipline
- Light initial feeding after shipping stress
✕ Common Mistakes
- Free handling - bite-prone even for an Old World
- Skipping quarantine on WC stock
- Dry substrate
- Heavy feeding in the first week
Keep exploring: related care guides
More ground-dwelling species and close relatives from our full library:
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