Haplopelma cf. schmidti “Ke Bang”

Straight out of the dense forests of Vietnam’s Ke Bang region, this Haplopelma variant is a reclusive powerhouse. Known for its extreme fossorial behavior, pitch-dark coloration, and no-nonsense personality, it’s a prime example of what Old World keeping is all about: deep burrows, fast strikes, and a spider you respect.

Quick Facts

Common Name: Ke Bang Earth Tiger

Scientific Name: Haplopelma cf. schmidti “Ke Bang”

Origin: Ke Bang National Park, Vietnam

Size: 5.5–6.5 inches (14–16 cm) leg span

Lifespan:

• Females: 15–20 years
• Males: 3–5 years

Temperament: Ultra defensive, lightning fast, extremely reclusive

Coloration

Deep charcoal to matte black body

Subtle golden to tan leg banding in juveniles

Velvety, almost iridescent sheen post-molt

Appearance leans more "shadow assassin" than "showpiece"

Housing & Care

Enclosure Type: Deep fossorial — needs 8+ inches of substrate

Substrate: Moist, compactable mix (coco fiber, topsoil, leaf litter)

Humidity: 80–85% — must maintain deep moisture without flooding

Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C)

Decor:

• Deep starter burrow or cork slab
• Lots of cover — this species hates exposure
• Good ventilation essential despite high humidity

Expect it to vanish underground and create a fortified webbed burrow — sometimes for weeks at a time.

Feeding

Diet: Crickets, roaches, mealworms

Feeding Schedule:

• Slings: 2–3x/week
• Juveniles: Weekly
• Adults: Every 10–14 days

Strikes with extreme speed — will drag prey into the depths

Why It’s a Hardcore Keeper’s Favorite

Elusive and intense — the ultimate fossorial mystery

Rare regional morph with a reputation

Ideal for advanced keepers who love stealth species

Earth-shattering strike speed — serious ambush predator

No-nonsense Old World attitude in its purest form

Notes

Not a display species — stays burrowed, often unseen

Hyper-defensive if exposed — threat poses and strikes without warning

Not for handling, not for beginners

Requires high humidity + deep, stable substrate

Use caution during rehousing — they’re fast and unpredictable