US Tarantula Sustainment Project
The Issues
Poecilotheria
There are currently five species of Poecilotheria listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. These species are:
Poecilotheria fasciata
Poecilotheria ornata
Poecilotheria smithi
Poecilotheria subfusca (highland and lowland)
Poecilotheria vittata
Due to their status, they cannot legally be sold or traded across state lines. This leaves many hobbyists unable to legally acquire these species, and with no way to know if or when they will become available in their states.
Poecilotheria subfusca "lowland"
Photo: Emile Weber
Limitations of Imports
The US hobby relies heavily on imports from Europe, where much more breeding is being done. To be imported, the US Lacey Act requires permission be granted from a species' country of origin.
While some species can be found in more than one country, others are endemic to a single country. If a species can only be found in a single country, and this country does not grant permission for export, that species cannot legally be imported into the US from the origin country, or from any other country, per the US Lacey Act.
​
In 2018, Brazil stated permission had never been granted to export any of their endemic species. While many were imported to the US with appropriate documentation prior to this statement, this can no longer be done. Since 2018, some other countries have followed Brazil, stating permission had never been given to export their native tarantulas.
​
​This means the affected spiders that entered the US up to 2018 are all that we have. Without a conscious effort to maintain the populations already residing in the US, we have the potential to slowly lose these species through a lack of breeding. This affects many tarantulas considered to be hobby staples, including A. geniculata, G. pulchra and V. chromatus, just to name a few.
Ybyrapora diversipes
Photo: Emile Weber
Our Response
Tracking
A database has been created to help keep track of the Poecilotheria species owned in each state, and breeding projects in each state. This will help hobbyists connect for breeding loans, and will help to show where certain species may be needed. The information in the database is provided through a self reporting survey.
Education
We hope that by providing awareness, keepers can be more informed when making decisions regarding the hobby. We would also like to provide resources and support for those interested in starting their first breeding projects. More on this to come!
Poecilotheria ornata "eggs with legs"
Photo: Emile Weber
Gifting
Breeding loans and true gifts (not "freebies" included with paid orders or trades) of ESA Poecilotheria across state lines are allowed under the law. This means you may send your mature male spider to the owner of a mature female spider for the purpose of breeding, and receive half of the offspring, should the breeding be successful. You may also give these species to someone in another state as a gift.
​
More than 200 spiders have been given away by members of the Tarantula Sustainment Project since its creation in 2022, and that number will only continue to grow!
Who We Are
This project is being managed by Emile Weber, Erin Cashel, Christina Roberts (Wonderland Exotics), Amy Salinas (Fang Hub), Laikin Dantchenko, and Randall Lage (North Texas Tarantula Breeders). We are dedicated hobbyists with years of keeping and breeding experience, and care deeply for these animals. Our hope is to promote an awareness about where our spiders come from, and to encourage anyone considering stepping into the world of breeding to dive in!
Ephebopus uatuman
Photo: Emile Weber
Want to Hear More?
Tom Moran (Tom's Big Spiders) very kindly invited Emile and Erin to discuss the project in a podcast. Click here to listen.