The Purple Bloom Bird Eating Tarantula 
Pamphobeteus platyomma

     The Purple Bloom is also referred to as the "Brazilian Pink Bloom" tarantula and is a member of the genus consisting of some of the largest tarantulas in all of the species.  This is a terrestrial spider that is amongst the most requested (and often hard to find)  of all of the tarantulas in the hobby industry today.  This is a large, relatively fast growing tarantula that is best known for the absolutely brilliant coloration in the male spiders.  The females are usually described as being larger featuring shades of browns and earth tones with remarkable christmas tree like patterns on the carapace  (see below).  These are old world tarantulas and while their first defensive action is to run or flee, they are capable of utricating the bristles found on their abdomen causing intense irritation and discomfort.  The fangs are quite large but the venom is not medically significant.  This genus of tarantula is among our favorites due to their large size, terrific feeding response and hardy dispositions.  This is not a spider to by handled however but they are more likely to assume a defensive posture as opposed to a more aggressive one.


     Our decision to add this beautiful yet rare spider to our collection was based on several important considerations aside from its obvious beauty.  This is a large sized spider whereby adults can reach about 7-8 inches in length.  They have a long lifespan with females living up to 20 years old with males living to be about 5-7 years old.  They are very hardy, voracious feeders and fast growers and our spiderling will be approximately 2 inches in length upon delivery.  
The Enclosure

     As previously mentioned, the Brazilian Pink Bloom is a terrestrial species that requires a modest sized enclosure with adequate hiding places, good ventilation and high humidity.  Juveniles are initially kept in a smaller, acrylic enclosure designed by Jamie's Tarantulas and are eventually transferred to their permanent home after two to three molts.  We will use an Exo Terra terrarium (see below) due to its ideal size, easy access and favorable lighting feature but any acrylic or PVC container with a secure lid will suffice.  We use a cocoa bark substrate, a bark "cave" along with a few artificial vines with a small water dish secured to the side of the enclosure.  The idea is to provide adequate hiding places for a stress free environment.

Care and Feeding

     Like all of our tarantulas, the P. platyomma will start on a diet of pin head crickets and move up to various sizes of  Dubia roaches.  We have an active colony of these insects which are clean, do not fly and have no bad habits.   Our spiderling is about two inches and growth rates are considered above average.  Daytime temperatures are in the high 70's to low 80's and the substrate is misted with water about once or twice a week.  Early observations suffest that they are good feeders and we anticipate a fairly fast rate of growth.   They are found throughout Brazil and Columbia which feature warm temperatures and reasonable high humidity.

    
September 16, 2020  (Last molt 8/25/20)

     Our spiderling did not take long to leave the comfort of its mailing tube and make itself at home in its grow out enclosure.  We plan on feeding our new arrival a 1/4 inch cricket after a day or two.  

     The Pink Bloom likes to dig a burrow so plenty of substrate should be provided in its enclosure.  Once the spiderling has grown to a sufficient size, it will be transferred from the juvenile enclosure to the Exo Terra terrarium where it will stay for the rest of its life.
    
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     On day two, our new arrival has ventured out of the shipping tube and looks healthy and alert (pictured above).  Later in the day, I was able to retrieve the tube from the enclosure whereby our Pink Bloom promptly scurried under the modified black plastic measuring cup that will be its new home for the next few monthes. 

     Two hours later, our friend was "caught" pushing mulch out of its burrow while making some changes to its new home (pictured on right).

 
    
September 23, 2020  (First feeding)

     This morning our fuzzy little friend accepted his first feeding of two delicious dubia roaches.  While our plan is to continue to feed the Pink Bloom with baby crickets, limited supply of food forced us to use the baby Dubia.  Its just protein right?  (see pic on the right)
    
October 6, 2020- Homebuilding

     This morning our Pink Bloom surprised us by doing a complete makeover to his habitat.  He must have spent much of the evening excavating the substrate around his enclosure while creating a really cool looking man cave.  He was rewarded for his efforts by being fed the last of the baby crickets.  This week we are moving up to adult size crickets.  
    
November 17, 2020- A successful molt!

     This morning  I surprised our Brazilian Pink by taking a picture of him while he had ventured out of his burrow.  He molted the night before and easily doubled in size. You can see the beginning of the star burst pattern on his carapace.      
June 9, 2020- Another successful molt!

     This morning, I observed our little friend hanging out in the front of his enclosure and the disappearing moments later.  What seemed like only minutes, the Brazilian Purple had molted and removed the molt from his burrow and placed it near the water dish.   

     The picture on the right was taken two days later and shows traces of pink/purple on the upper legs of the T.  The legs in the background show these colors prominently.  Very exciting.
November 11, 2021- Another molt!

     This week our friend has been noticeably absent and I suspected that he was preparing for another molt.  Sure enough, I discovered him on his back outside of his burrow preparing to shed his skin.  Several hours later, he emerged in good shape and appreciably larger in size.