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Borneo Black Tarantula (Phormingochilus arboricola)

Phormingochilus arboricola

The Phormingochilus arboricola, highly feared 'Borneo Black Tarantula'. It is an Asian arboreal predator (5.9 inches legspan) infamous for its frightening size, inhuman speed and a neurotoxic venom of severe clinical relevance. Adult females are colossi wrapped in a thick Absolute Black fluff, making them the lethal ghosts of the Borneo jungles. Males, on the contrary, are dark brown and thin. Creates immense 'socks' of web and mud in tall tree cavities. Aggressive, intolerant and devoid of urticating hairs: its first and only warning is to rear up ('threat posture') before biting brutally.

Taxonomy
Class:Arachnida
Order:Araneae
Family:Theraphosidae
Genus:Phormingochilus
Species:Phormingochilus arboricola*
Formerly known as:Phormingochilus arboricola
* Source-reviewed taxonomy (World Spider Catalog, 2026-07-24): World Spider Catalog recognises Phormingochilus arboricola and has no accepted P. arboreus. The independent reviewed report identifies arboreus as the legacy typographic trade spelling for the Borneo Black Tarantula card; reconcile the displayed scientific name to P. arboricola.

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Environment

Terrestrial

Humidity

75 - 85 %

Day temperature

25 - 28 °C

Night temperature

22 - 24 °C

UVB

None

Species description

Geographic Origin and Habitat: The cited taxonomic record lists the distribution as Borneo (country unknown). This revision does not infer a captive habitat from that distribution record.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Phormingochilus arboricola (Schmidt & Barensteiner, 2015) is an accepted species in the genus Phormingochilus, family Theraphosidae.
Behaviour and Habits: This revision adds no verified behavioural claim beyond the cited taxonomic record.
Morphology and Sexual Dimorphism: This revision adds no verified morphological or sexual-dimorphism claim beyond the cited taxonomic record.

Care, breeding and tankmates

Terrarium Setup: Guidance about terrarium setup for Phormingochilus must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Lighting and Heating: Guidance about lighting and heating for Phormingochilus must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Humidity and Hydration: Guidance about humidity and hydration for Phormingochilus must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Feeding and Supplementation: Guidance about feeding and supplementation for Phormingochilus must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Compatibility and Coexistence: Guidance about compatibility and coexistence for Phormingochilus must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Health and Common Diseases: Guidance about health and common diseases for Phormingochilus must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

This species originates from: Asia (Foreste pluviali equatoriali del Borneo, Indonesia/Malesia).

Origin

South and Southeast Asia

Terrestrial invertebrate profile

Diet
No verified data available
Life expectancy
No verified data available
Adult size
18 cm
The catalog's scalar value is 18 cm. The Tarantupedia — Phormingochilus arboricola source reports a maximum adult measurement of 18 cm for this species, recorded as diagonal leg span (DLS). The taxonomic record consulted is Phormingochilus arboricola. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Lifestyle/Microhabitat
No verified data available
Activity cycle
No verified data available
Sociality
No verified data available
Reproduction
No verified data available
Venom level
No verified data available
Handling tolerance
No verified data available
Brumation
No verified data available
Molting
No verified data available

Image gallery

Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.

Related species

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Variants and close relatives

Same atlas type, nearby scientific identity, genus, or family.

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Haitian Brown Tarantula (Phormictopus cancerides)

Haitian Brown Tarantula (Phormictopus cancerides)

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Last updated: 08/10/2026
Borneo Black Tarantula (Phormingochilus arboricola) Care Guide & Terrarium Setup | Atlarium