Keeper guide

How Big Does Guatemalan Tiger Rump Get? — Davus pentaloris Size Guide

Adult Davus pentaloris, commonly known as the Guatemalan Tiger Rump, reach about 10–12 cm (4–4.75 in). That is an adult size guide, not the size every individual will reach.

At a glance

Quick facts

World
New World
Origin
Guatemala and Mexico
Lifestyle
Terrestrial
UK hobby rarity
Common
Maximum size
About 10–12 cm (4–4.75 in)
Growth rate
Fast
Male lifespan
Roughly 3–4 years
Female lifespan
Often 8–12 years
Temperament
Fast and skittish but usually more interested in retreating than confronting
Venom
Venomous, but bites are not generally regarded as medically significant
Temperature
21–26°C
Moisture / humidity
Water dish plus a modest moisture gradient; avoid saturated substrate
CITES
Check current CITES rules before cross-border trade

Adult size

Guatemalan Tiger Rumps are generally expected to reach about 10–12 cm (4–4.75 in) as adults. Individual Davus pentaloris may finish smaller or larger depending on sex and normal variation.

Do not use one advertised maximum as a promise for a Guatemalan Tiger Rump. Size figures in the hobby are best treated as useful ranges.

How size is measured

Tarantula size is commonly discussed as diagonal leg span. For Davus pentaloris, that gives a rough comparison with other species, but it is not necessary to stretch or position the spider for a measurement.

Estimate size from a normal resting position or during rehousing if needed. Avoid disturbing a Guatemalan Tiger Rump purely to obtain an exact number.

Slings and juveniles

Young Guatemalan Tiger Rumps start far below adult size and grow through repeated moults. With a fast growth rate, Davus pentaloris may spend very different amounts of time at each juvenile stage.

Use the current size of Davus pentaloris when choosing feeders and housing. An adult-size figure does not mean a sling needs adult-size prey or an adult enclosure.

Male and female size

Males and females of Davus pentaloris can differ in build after maturity. Mature males often look leggier and slimmer, while adult females usually remain more robust.

Body shape alone is not a reliable way to sex a juvenile Guatemalan Tiger Rump. Use a suitable moult when possible.

Enclosure size follows the spider

Increase enclosure size for Davus pentaloris when the current setup no longer gives enough retreat space, substrate or practical access for water and feeding.

Moving a Guatemalan Tiger Rump too early into a very large setup can make basic care harder. Rehouse in sensible stages as the spider grows.

Tracking size over time

Keep moult dates and an occasional approximate size for Davus pentaloris if you want to track growth. That is more useful than trying to measure the spider repeatedly between moults.

A simple record will show how quickly a Guatemalan Tiger Rump is growing and when another enclosure upgrade is likely to be needed.