The Reclusive Gem, the Venezuelan Sun-Tiger | Russo Reviews
- Gabriel Dezzi
- Feb 13
- 5 min read
Psalmopoeus irminia, the Venezuelan Sun-Tiger
The Venezuelan Sun-Tiger, or just the "Suntiger" as it will be referred to as in this article, is an elusive, New World (beneficial) arboreal native to Venezuela. Their temperament, speed, and unusual lack of urticating hairs places it firmly in the "intermediate" skill level for tarantulas. They are notoriously reclusive, constructing large web curtains and only appearing at night to feed. The jet-black and bright orange colorations of this species makes it a hobby staple for most collectors. Are they worth their praise? I'll dive into that and so much more in this Russo Review, where I review tarantula species based off my own experiences.
STATS:
Latin/Scientific Name: Psalmopoeus irminia
Common Name: Venezuelan Sun-Tiger,, Suntiger
Living Style: Beneficial Arboreal
Endemic: Venezuela
Urticating Hair Intensity: N/A
World Type: New World
Venom Potency: Medium
Stereotypical Temperament: Skittish-Defensive
I've had a rough history with the Suntiger, getting my first Suntiger in July of 2023. I got her as a two-inch juvenile named Gabriella. She was fine for about two weeks, eating and drinking until she started to enter a death curl¹. Unfortunately, there wasn't much I could do, and I spend the last two months of her life desperately trying to save her. I tried a variety of methods, such as placing her in
a dark section of my closet, as well as attempting to pipette water into her mouth. She had a few false recoveries, but eventually passed away in early September. I chopped this mostly up to potentially bad husbandry and an unlucky specimen. Alas, I never really got to see the true nature of the Suntiger unfortunately, but as alluring and beautiful these spiders are I wasn't going to give up too easy. These guys are what I labeled, Beneficial Arboreals, meaning they do benefit from having an arboreal enclosure, but can still survive and do fine in a more terrestrial setup. I would not suggest a terrestrial setup however, even if some specimens tend to display more terrestrial tendencies such as burrowing. After Gabriella, I decided to try again with the Suntiger in November of 2023, when I bought a juvenile female that I named Evelyn. This Suntiger looked very different than most I've seen, even suspecting it to be a hybrid at some point. The markings were exquisite on her, and she was my first real taste of Psalmopoeus. I gave her a couple hides and a major covering of sphagnum moss.
Sphagnum moss is important to have in Psalmopoeus enclosures due to the construction of a dirt curtain². She was very reclusive, only appearing outside of the hides at night or when she was hungry. As Psalmopoeus is considered much of a transition species between New World and Old World keepers, the Psalmopoeus is remarkably fast. When caught in the open, she would either sprint around her enclosure, or stand her ground and rear up. She had a reputation for the latter however. Plenty of times when I accidentally bumped the shelf, opened the enclosure or even just walked into the room and turned on the lights, if she was caught in the open she'd much prefer to stand her ground. This stoic and defensive rather than skittish behavior really prepared me for what to expect from species such as P. murinus, or the OBT; who have similar speed and temperament but much worse consequences if they were to bite. Furthermore, it prepares for the popular Old World arboreal
tarantulas, such as the Poecilotheria family, native to India; along with Heteroscodra maculata and Stromatapelma calceatum of the Baboon family. These tarantulas are extremely fast and defensive, along with possessing some of the most potent venom in the Theraphosidae family. These tarantulas, especially Poecilotheria genus, are highly sought after species and Psalmopoeus provides a perfect stepping stone to these wanted species. Suntigers also grow insanely fast, and can read almost four inches in the first year. Unfortunately however, I lost Evelyn in February of 2024 due to a failed molt. Alas, I would not give up again. After Evelyn, I purchased what I believed to be a Psalmopoeus cambridgei sling, a sister species of the Suntiger. However, this was clearly a misidentified specimen as after a molt displayed the trademark jet black coloration of the Suntiger. Alas, this was a welcome surprise, and I was excited to get another chance to keep these beautiful spiders. I named her Aaliyah and she has molted twice in my care. Furthermore, she has constructed her own dirt curtain, utilizing a mixture of coco-fiber substrate, sphagnum moss, and her own webbing. She has the notorious behavior of a Suntiger, and unlike Evelyn, would much rather prefer to retreat to her cork bark hide before throwing up a threat display. Something to note is that as aforementioned, species of the Psalmopoeus genus in general possess no urticating
hairs; and therefore as a result are much more likely to resort to their fangs as a means of defense. I often joke that they have a "lower tolerance for B.S" than other members of their New World brethren. Interestingly, all species of the Psalmopoeus genus venom contain psalmotoxin. Psalmotoxin is a forty amino acid peptide found specifically in Psalmopoeus cambridgei and Psalmopoeus irminia (the Suntiger this article is about!) Psalmotoxin has interested chemists and pharmaceutical scientists for its potential medicinal implications; particularly in the assistance with stroke victims. As both the pharmaceutical and tarantula communities grow, this could produce connections and an unrequited bond that is most unexpected, but able to further the good of humanity.
Although my experience with the Suntiger has been rough, (and three times was definitely the charm!) they are still interesting and lovely specimens to work with and have within the hobby. Through these newly found medicinal uses, members of the pharmaceutical community are having their first interactions with these beautiful creatures. Through my exclusive experience through the hobby, the chances I've got to experience the Suntiger in its full glory are subpar. However, for someone luckier than I, they can act as a beautiful, yet demanding-of-respect ladder species to Old Worlds. My final Russo Review rating for the Psalmopoeus irminia or the Venezuelan Suntiger, is a four out of five stars.
Glossary
1 - death curl
A death curl position is achieved by a tarantula tucking its legs beneath their carapace. This is often a sign of a dying or already dead tarantula; as spiders use hydraulics instead of muscles to move their limbs.
2 - dirt curtain
A dirt curtain is a type of webbed structure created by many arboreal species; usually containing a mix of substrate, sphagnum or other mosses, and silk.
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