Giant Vinegaroon Care
Jenifer L. Nix, BVSc, MFAS, CertAqV
Are you looking for a pet that is a little odd, maybe somewhat creepy, but super fascinating to observe and keep? A tarantula may just be the best pet invertebrate for you! Tarantulas are arthropods in the class Arachnida (arachnids). There are over 900 described species, many of which are available in the hobby (3). Tarantulas come in a variety of sizes, ranging from tiny dwarf species that may grow to a leg span of up to 3 inches or less, to very large species such as the goliath bird eater (Theraphosa blondi), which can grow to a leg span of up to 12 inches (2). Lifespans of tarantulas can also be quite long. Females of many medium to larger species may live more than 30 years in captivity, while males may live from 3 to 10 years (5). Dwarf species are typically shorter lived, with females living 7-15 years and males living 3-5 years. Habitat requirements of tarantulas can vary greatly. Some species are arboreal, meaning they naturally live in canopies of forests and rainforests, while fossorial species are found in burrows.
Jenifer L. Nix, BVSc, MFAS, CertAqV
Are you looking for a pet that is a little odd, maybe somewhat creepy, but super fascinating to observe and keep? A tarantula may just be the best pet invertebrate for you! Tarantulas are arthropods in the class Arachnida (arachnids). There are over 900 described species, many of which are available in the hobby (3). Tarantulas come in a variety of sizes, ranging from tiny dwarf species that may grow to a leg span of up to 3 inches or less, to very large species such as the goliath bird eater (Theraphosa blondi), which can grow to a leg span of up to 12 inches (2). Lifespans of tarantulas can also be quite long. Females of many medium to larger species may live more than 30 years in captivity, while males may live from 3 to 10 years (5). Dwarf species are typically shorter lived, with females living 7-15 years and males living 3-5 years. Habitat requirements of tarantulas can vary greatly. Some species are arboreal, meaning they naturally live in canopies of forests and rainforests, while fossorial species are found in burrows.
Mastigoproctus giganteus, giant vinegaroon. Photo by JL Nix, 2023.
Basic Information
The giant vinegaroon (Mastigoproctus giganteus) is a large, large arachnid that grows up to 3.5 inches in length, excluding their whip-like tail (1,2). There are three subspecies of M. giganteus that live in and around Florida, Texas, and Arizona (1,2). The Arizona subspecies comes from an arid climate but is most active during the time of the monsoon, and therefore requires moisture in its environment (2). Like other arachnids, the vinegaroon’s body is comprised of a cephalothorax and abdomen, with eight legs (1,2). The first pair of legs are modified into long, sensory structures that it uses to examine its environment, while the other three pairs are used as walking legs (2). One striking feature of the giant vinegaroon is the large pair of pedipalps, which are modified as pinchers (2). The animal will use these to grasp prey and dig in the substrate (2). The vinegaroon has eight eyes, but its eyesight is poor (1). Vinegaroons are so-named because they produce a very concentrated mixture of acetic acid (vinegar) and other acids, which they will spray from their tail region at anything which threatens them (2). The vinegar mixture is harmless but may sting if you have a cut or get it into your eyes.
The giant vinegaroon (Mastigoproctus giganteus) is a large, large arachnid that grows up to 3.5 inches in length, excluding their whip-like tail (1,2). There are three subspecies of M. giganteus that live in and around Florida, Texas, and Arizona (1,2). The Arizona subspecies comes from an arid climate but is most active during the time of the monsoon, and therefore requires moisture in its environment (2). Like other arachnids, the vinegaroon’s body is comprised of a cephalothorax and abdomen, with eight legs (1,2). The first pair of legs are modified into long, sensory structures that it uses to examine its environment, while the other three pairs are used as walking legs (2). One striking feature of the giant vinegaroon is the large pair of pedipalps, which are modified as pinchers (2). The animal will use these to grasp prey and dig in the substrate (2). The vinegaroon has eight eyes, but its eyesight is poor (1). Vinegaroons are so-named because they produce a very concentrated mixture of acetic acid (vinegar) and other acids, which they will spray from their tail region at anything which threatens them (2). The vinegar mixture is harmless but may sting if you have a cut or get it into your eyes.
HandlingThis is one of the few arachnid species that can safely be handled. They are generally pretty docile but you should still exercise caution, as they have the potential to pinch or squirt vinegar if they feel threatened. The author will put down one hand and gently prod the vinegaroon from behind with the opposite hand to get it to walk onto her hand. Never grasp a vinegaroon as this can stress them. Keep your hand open and shift hands as it walks to ensure that it does not fall. Vinegaroons can fall and injure themselves. The author recommends picking up and holding a vinegaroon close to the floor.
EnclosureAdult vinegaroons can be quite active and prefer floor space to explore. They must be kept separately from other vinegaroons and animals as they are predators and will fight. The author keeps her vinegaroon in a 5-gallon aquarium with a screen lid that is covered 50% with plastic wrap to slow drying of the substrate. The substrate should be at least 5 inches deep, as this species will burrow. The author uses a combination of coconut fiber with sphagnum and peat moss substrate. Reptisoil or Jungle Mix will work fine. You want a substrate that will hold a burrow and can hold moisture. Spray half of the substrate with water daily to ensure that it is kept slightly moist. Branches, leaves, and cork bark give good places to hide. A shallow water dish should be provided to allow for drinking and soaking, and to ensure adequate humidity in the enclosure. These animals can be kept at standard room temperature and do not typically need a heater. If you do want to use a stick-on heater, it is recommended to place it on the side of the terrarium rather than the bottom to prevent accidentally burning a burrowing animal.
FeedingThe author feeds her juvenile vinegaroon 3-4 small crickets per week. Adults can be fed 3-4 medium sized crickets every 3-4 weeks (3). Very small babies can be fed red 1-2 red runners or small crickets weekly. Increase the size of the prey as the animal grows in size. It is not uncommon for vinegaroons to fast for 6 months at a time (the author writes this, hers is doing this same thing!). This is normal and should not be something to worry about. Many times, they will burrow under the substrate, and you will not see them until the spring.
Where to Get a Giant VinegaroonVinegaroons can be difficult to find in most pet stores. You may check with your local reptile specialty store to see if they sell them, or you can order one in. Otherwise, there are a number of places online where you can get one. Try to get a captive bred baby if you can as many larger vinegaroons are wild caught. Captive bred animals help to ensure a sustainable population in the wild and are likely to be healthier.
Some vendors that the author trusts:
One Love Tarantulas: https://www.onelovetarantulas.com/
References
EnclosureAdult vinegaroons can be quite active and prefer floor space to explore. They must be kept separately from other vinegaroons and animals as they are predators and will fight. The author keeps her vinegaroon in a 5-gallon aquarium with a screen lid that is covered 50% with plastic wrap to slow drying of the substrate. The substrate should be at least 5 inches deep, as this species will burrow. The author uses a combination of coconut fiber with sphagnum and peat moss substrate. Reptisoil or Jungle Mix will work fine. You want a substrate that will hold a burrow and can hold moisture. Spray half of the substrate with water daily to ensure that it is kept slightly moist. Branches, leaves, and cork bark give good places to hide. A shallow water dish should be provided to allow for drinking and soaking, and to ensure adequate humidity in the enclosure. These animals can be kept at standard room temperature and do not typically need a heater. If you do want to use a stick-on heater, it is recommended to place it on the side of the terrarium rather than the bottom to prevent accidentally burning a burrowing animal.
FeedingThe author feeds her juvenile vinegaroon 3-4 small crickets per week. Adults can be fed 3-4 medium sized crickets every 3-4 weeks (3). Very small babies can be fed red 1-2 red runners or small crickets weekly. Increase the size of the prey as the animal grows in size. It is not uncommon for vinegaroons to fast for 6 months at a time (the author writes this, hers is doing this same thing!). This is normal and should not be something to worry about. Many times, they will burrow under the substrate, and you will not see them until the spring.
Where to Get a Giant VinegaroonVinegaroons can be difficult to find in most pet stores. You may check with your local reptile specialty store to see if they sell them, or you can order one in. Otherwise, there are a number of places online where you can get one. Try to get a captive bred baby if you can as many larger vinegaroons are wild caught. Captive bred animals help to ensure a sustainable population in the wild and are likely to be healthier.
Some vendors that the author trusts:
One Love Tarantulas: https://www.onelovetarantulas.com/
References
- Giant Vinegaroon. (2023). Oakland Zoo [Website]. Accessed December 20, 2023. Available from: https://www.oaklandzoo.org/animals/giant-vinegaroon
- Schmidt JO. (2009). Vinegaroons. In: Resh VH, Carde RT. Encyclopedia of Insects. 2nd Ed. Elsevier. Pp 1038-1041
- Vinegaroon (Mastigoproctus gigantus) Care Sheet. (n.d.). Tarantula Collective [Website]. Accessed 22 December, 2023. Available from: https://www.thetarantulacollective.com/caresheets/vinegaroon
