Philippine Tangerine

Orphnaecus philippinus Care Guide

The Philippine Tangerine Tarantula

Revision Date: March 2025

Introduction

Orphnaecus philippinus, commonly known as the Philippine Tangerine Tarantula, is a fast-moving, highly defensive fossorial species endemic to the Philippines. This species is named for its vibrant orange coloration, which sets it apart from many other Old World tarantulas. Known for its aggressive feeding response, extensive webbing behavior, and rapid movements, this species is well-suited for experienced keepers who appreciate fast and feisty tarantulas.

As a true burrower, O. philippinus constructs deep, silk-lined burrows in its natural habitat, emerging primarily at night to hunt and maintain its webbed tunnels. It thrives in humid environments, making proper ventilation and moisture control key to its successful husbandry. Due to its bold temperament and potent venom, this species is not recommended for beginners.

Quick Species Snapshot

• Scientific Name: Orphnaecus philippinus

• Common Names: Philippine Tangerine Tarantula

• Type: Fossorial (Obligate Burrower)

• Category: Old World

• Native Range: Philippines

• Size: Up to 5” (13 cm) DLS

• Growth Rate: Fast

• Life Expectancy: Females ~12–15 years; Males ~3–4 years

• Recommended Experience Level: Advanced

• Urticating Hairs: No

• Venom Potency: Strong (potentially medically significant)

Taxonomy, Etymology & Natural Environment

The genus Orphnaecus is composed of fast, defensive fossorial tarantulas native to Southeast Asia. The species name philippinus refers to its country of origin, the Philippines, where it is found in humid tropical forests. Unlike many burrowing species, O. philippinus is known for its extensive webbing around its burrow entrance, creating thick silk tunnels for both protection and hunting.

This species inhabits dense forest floors, where it constructs burrows in moist, well-draining soil. It is most active at night, using ambush hunting techniques to capture prey that wanders into its webbed retreat.

Behavior & Temperament

O. philippinus is highly defensive, incredibly fast, and reclusive. It will bite readily if provoked and should not be handled under any circumstances. Like other Old World tarantulas, this species lacks urticating hairs, relying on its speed, venom, and silk-covered burrows for defense.

This species is also a heavy webber, often covering its entire enclosure in thick sheets of silk. Keepers should expect it to spend most of its time hidden inside its burrow, only emerging briefly at night to hunt and reinforce its webbing.

Housing & Substrate – Fossorial Setup

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Spiderlings

• Enclosure Size: OG Sling Crib, 3” Tarantula Cube, 4” Tarantula Cube

• Substrate: Fill at least 2/3 of the enclosure with Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude.

• Humidity: Keep the substrate slightly damp but not swampy. Provide a tiny water dish if space allows or drip water onto webbing weekly.

Juveniles

• Enclosure Size: Crib 360-4” Fossorial, 5” Hex Crib, 6” Tarantula Cube, 8” Cube

• Substrate: Fill ½ to ¾ of the enclosure with Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude to support deep burrowing.

• Humidity: Let part of the substrate dry out while keeping one corner slightly damp by overflowing the water dish occasionally.

• Additional Features: Cork bark or dried leaves as web anchors.

Adults

• Enclosure Size: 8” Hex Crib, Crib 360-8” Fossorial, 12” Tarantula Cube, 18” Tarantula Cube

• Substrate: Fill at least ½–¾ of the enclosure with Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude.

• Additional Features: A deep burrow setup is essential. I like to add some branches or plants so they can web up around their burrow entrance as well.

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Temperature & Humidity

• Temperature: 70–78°F (21–26°C)

• Humidity: 50–60%

• Ventilation: Ensure good airflow to prevent stale conditions.

• Water Dish: Keep one filled and overflow occasionally to maintain a moisture gradient.

Feeding Schedule

Spiderlings

• Frequency:
  Feed twice a week.

• Prey:
  Offer small prey such as flightless fruit flies, confused flour beetles, or pre-killed tiny crickets/roach nymphs. Remove any uneaten prey after 24 hours. increase the size of the prey as the spider grows. Prekill any prey that is over 2/3 the size of the sling. For more detailed information on feeding spiderlings, watch this video: How To Feed Spiderlings & Scorplings (Baby Tarantulas & Scorpions)

• Post-Molt:
  Wait 24–48 hours after a molt before feeding. Ensure that the tarantula’s fangs are solid black and its exoskeleton is not soft or shiny.

Juveniles

• Frequency:
  Feed every 7–10 days.

• Prey:
  Provide 2–3 small to medium crickets or a medium Dubia roach.

• Feeding Guidelines:

  • If the abdomen is thinner than the widest part of the carapace, feed more prey more often.

  • If the abdomen is wider than the carapace, feed less prey, less often.
    This strategy helps prevent obesity, which can lead to molting complications or increase the risk of an abdomen rupture from even a small fall.

• Post-Molt:
  Wait 3–7 days after a molt before feeding, ensuring that the tarantula’s fangs are solid black and its exoskeleton is fully hardened.

Adults

• Frequency:
  Feed every 2–3 weeks (or as needed).

• Prey:
  Offer 4–5 large crickets or one large Dubia roach.

• Feeding Guidelines:

  • If the abdomen is thinner than the carapace’s widest part, increase feeding frequency.

  • If the abdomen is wider than the carapace, reduce feeding frequency.
    This is crucial to avoid obesity, which can interfere with proper molting or cause dangerous issues such as an abdomen rupture.

• Post-Molt:
  Wait 5–10 days after a molt before feeding, ensuring that the tarantula’s fangs are solid black and its exoskeleton is fully hardened.

Breeding Orphnaecus philippinus in Captivity

(general outline, specifics under revision)

Sexual Maturity & Pairing

• Males: Reach maturity in 2–3 years.

• Females: Reach reproductive maturity in 4–5 years.

• Pairing: Introduce the male into the female’s enclosure at night, ensuring multiple escape routes for him.

Mating Process

• Males initiate courtship with palp drumming and leg tapping.

• If receptive, the female will allow insertion before retreating.

• Males should be removed immediately after mating to prevent potential predation.

Egg Sac Production

• Females produce an egg sac 4–6 months post-mating.

• Egg sacs contain 100–250 eggs.

• Maintain 75-80°F (24-27°C) with high humidity (75-80%).

Raising Spiderlings

• First instar spiderlings emerge 6-8 weeks post-sac.

• Feed pinhead crickets or fruit flies every 3-4 days.

• Provide high humidity with proper airflow.

Challenges & Considerations

• O. philippinus’s speed and defensiveness make pairing tricky.

• Heavy webbing behavior may obscure visibility, requiring close monitoring of female behavior during pairing.

• Ethical breeding is crucial to reducing wild collection and sustaining this species in the hobby.

Final Thoughts

Orphnaecus philippinus is a fast-moving, heavily webbing fossorial tarantula that thrives in humid, well-ventilated enclosures. While its vibrant orange coloration and webbing behaviors make it an intriguing display species, its high speed, defensive nature, and potent venom make it best suited for experienced keepers. This tarantula is best appreciated from a distance, as handling is not recommended.

Due to its limited natural range and conservation concerns, captive breeding efforts are essential to ensure sustainable populations in the hobby and reduce the need for wild collection. If you’re looking for a bold, energetic fossorial species with aggressive feeding behaviors and intricate webbing, O. philippinus is a rewarding choice for a well-maintained collection.

Additional Recommendations

For enclosures, consider Tarantula Cribs (TTC10 for 10% off), and use Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude for substrate. For legal captive-bred tarantulas, check out Spider Shoppe (TTC10 for 10% off).