Buddha Bugs
Melopoeus albostriatus 'purple zebra', formerly Cyriopagopus sp. 'purple zebra' (Thai zebra earth tiger tarantula) 0.5"
Melopoeus albostriatus 'purple zebra', formerly Cyriopagopus sp. 'purple zebra' (Thai zebra earth tiger tarantula) 0.5"
Before ordering: Unless marked “exact animal pictured,” photos are representative; refer to the product title or selected option for the size or sex offered. Shipped live-animal orders require a $50 cart subtotal and are normally held for pickup at an authorized FedEx Ship Center. Please review our Shipping & Live Arrival and Refund & Cancellation policies before purchasing.
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Species Overview
Melopoeus albostriatus ‘purple zebra’, commonly known as the purple zebra tarantula, Thai purple zebra tarantula, or purple zebra earth tiger, is a color and locality form associated with Tak Province in western Thailand. Adult females are robust, with a pale silvery-gray to olive-gray carapace bearing darker central markings and fine pale hairs along the radiating grooves. The dark legs and pedipalps may display vivid blue or purple iridescence and bear narrow, often paired pale longitudinal stripes. The abdomen is tan, pinkish, or lavender-gray, with a broad black median field, branching lateral markings, and dark transverse bands. Color intensity varies with lighting, molt condition, age, and individual characteristics. Mature males are slimmer and proportionally longer-legged than females.
In captivity, M. albostriatus ‘purple zebra’ readily excavates silk-lined burrows and incorporates surrounding substrate and webbing into the entrance of its retreat. Individuals generally remain concealed during the day but frequently position themselves near the burrow entrance after dark, where they detect and capture passing prey. Once provided with sufficient substrate depth and an appropriate moisture gradient, this species adapts well to captivity and has relatively straightforward environmental requirements. Its speed and defensive response when exposed, however, require deliberate enclosure maintenance. Like other Old World tarantulas, M. albostriatus lacks urticating hairs and relies primarily on speed, retreat use, and defensive displays when disturbed.
- Hobby Name: Purple zebra tarantula; Thai purple zebra tarantula; purple zebra earth tiger
- Derivative Range: Reportedly Tak Province, western Thailand
- Life Habit: Fossorial
- Adult Size: 5.5–6.5 inches in diagonal leg span
- Lifespan: Males 2–3 years; females 10–15+ years under optimal conditions
- Temperament: Fast and defensive when exposed
- Care Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Melopoeus albostriatus ‘purple zebra’ Care
Melopoeus albostriatus ‘purple zebra’ adapts well to captivity when maintained in a secure, well-ventilated enclosure with deep, compactable substrate and a moderate humidity gradient. Prioritize burrow depth over open floor space, with most of the enclosure height devoted to substrate. A partially buried piece of cork bark or a narrow starter burrow can encourage the tarantula to establish a permanent retreat.
- Enclosure: 1 oz condiment cup or equivalent for spiderlings, upgraded as needed with growth; 10” x 10” x 10” or larger for adults.
- Substrate: Provide a deep layer of compactable, moisture-retentive substrate that holds its shape when excavated. Coconut fiber, peat moss, topsoil, or similar substrates work well, and a small clay component can improve burrow stability. Devote most of the available enclosure height to substrate.
- Temperature: 72–82°F.
- Humidity: Moderate ambient humidity is generally sufficient. Approximately 25–50% of the substrate, particularly the lower layers, should retain moisture to create a humidity gradient while keeping the remaining substrate and most of the surface drier. Avoid consistently saturated substrate, excessive condensation, and stagnant air.
- Diet: Fruit flies, crickets, cockroaches, and other appropriately sized feeder insects.
- Feeding: Spiderlings can be offered appropriately sized prey once or twice weekly. Juveniles and adults are typically fed every 7–14 days, with feeding frequency adjusted based on prey size, growth rate, and the condition of the individual animal.
- Water: Moisten part of the substrate as needed and provide water droplets on enclosure surfaces and webbing for spiderlings; larger specimens should have access to a water dish.
- Routine Maintenance: Remove uneaten prey, monitor moisture levels, and spot-clean when necessary.
Natural History
Melopoeus albostriatus was originally described by Eugène Simon in 1886 as Selenocosmia albostriata and later became the type species of Melopoeus. It was subsequently treated under Haplopelma and then Cyriopagopus before Melopoeus was restored as a valid genus in 2026. Consequently, older references to Haplopelma albostriatum and Cyriopagopus albostriatus apply to the same currently recognized species, while the additional ‘purple zebra’ designation identifies this particular captive line.
The captive lineage now commonly called ‘purple zebra’ initially circulated within the hobby as Cyriopagopus sp. ‘Tak’ before becoming more widely known as Cyriopagopus sp. ‘purple zebra’. The earlier label associates the stock with Tak Province in western Thailand. The later name emphasizes the lineage’s violet-blue iridescence and pale leg stripes but omits that geographic association.
The Tak designation provides historical context for the origin attributed to this captive line, but a hobby label alone cannot independently verify the exact collecting site or establish an uninterrupted chain of custody. Accordingly, Tak is best understood as the reported source of the original stock rather than an independently verified collecting locality. The later ‘purple zebra’ label describes the appearance of the same captive lineage and has no formal taxonomic standing.
These spiders have also circulated under provisional designations such as Ornithoctoninae sp. ‘purple zebra’, Melopoeus sp. ‘purple zebra’, and Cyriopagopus cf. albostriatus ‘purple zebra’. The first two labels suggest an unresolved species identity, while the latter indicates a tentative identification as albostriatus. Here, the ‘purple zebra’ lineage is treated as a distinctive color form of M. albostriatus associated with the reported Tak locality.
Other geographically labeled lines of M. albostriatus maintained in captivity include animals associated with Ratchaburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Chaiyaphum. The ‘purple zebra’ lineage should not be treated as interchangeable with these lines solely because some individuals display similar coloration. Iridescence and pattern intensity vary with lighting, molt condition, age, and individual characteristics, and appearance alone cannot establish that separately labeled populations originated from the same locality. Maintaining established lines separately preserves their historical provenance and reduces the loss of potentially meaningful geographic variation through indiscriminate breeding.
Photo by Jason Xie Instagram @jasonxieprc
Shipping
Shipping
Shipping method for live animal orders:
Orders containing live animals must have a subtotal of at least $50 to qualify for shipping.
For orders containing live animals, we ship throughout the continental U.S. (48 states) via FedEx Priority Overnight. Orders containing both live and non-live products may be shipped together or separately, depending on the items in the order, their sizes, and whether everything can fit safely in one shipment. When non-live products must be shipped separately by USPS, additional shipping charges will apply.
Live-animal packages are normally dropped off on Tuesdays or Wednesdays for next-day arrival. By default, packages are held for pickup at the nearest reasonably accessible FedEx Ship Center authorized to accept the shipment and must be collected in person.
Home delivery is available upon request. When a reasonably accessible authorized FedEx Ship Center is available, customer-requested home delivery is not eligible for our live arrival guarantee and is sent at the customer’s risk.
FedEx Ship Center availability varies by destination, and not every FedEx location is authorized to accept live-animal shipments. If no reasonably accessible authorized FedEx Ship Center is available, we will contact the customer and arrange home delivery. In this circumstance, home delivery remains eligible for LAG, provided all other LAG requirements are met.
Checkout shipping rates and free-shipping offers are based on FedEx Ship Center pickup. Any additional amount charged for home delivery is the customer’s responsibility and must be paid before shipment. For qualifying orders, free shipping covers standard Ship Center service but not any additional home-delivery cost. If no reasonably accessible authorized Ship Center is available and the customer declines the additional charge, the affected portion of the order—or the entire order when necessary—may be canceled without the standard cancellation fee.
We also offer expo pickup and a DFW local-meetup option. Please see our Expo Schedule for additional information.
Shipping method for non-live orders:
For shipments containing no live animals, shipping is available to all 50 states via USPS Ground Advantage or USPS Priority Mail. We will ship non-live orders directly to the address listed on the order, typically the day the order is placed or the following day.
What to expect after placing an order:
If your order contains live animals that will be shipped, we will contact you within 12 hours with a proposed delivery date and, when applicable, the FedEx Ship Center pickup location. If home delivery is requested or required, we will provide the delivery arrangements and any additional shipping charge. We will not ship the package until you confirm the arrangements and any outstanding shipping balance has been paid. Tracking information will be provided on the day of shipment.
Shipping may be delayed because of weather, carrier conditions, our schedule, or if an animal has recently molted or appears likely to molt. We will notify you if a delay is necessary and arrange another suitable date.
Carrier delays can occur. Customers remain responsible for meeting the applicable pickup or receipt requirements on the day the package actually arrives, even if it arrives later than originally scheduled.
Live Arrival Guarantee (LAG):
Buddha Bugs offers a live arrival guarantee only when all of the following conditions are met:
- Freebies are not covered by LAG.
- When a reasonably accessible FedEx Ship Center authorized to accept the shipment is available, the package must be held for pickup at that location.
- If no such location is available, we will arrange home delivery. In this circumstance, home delivery remains eligible for LAG, provided all other requirements are met.
- Packages held at a FedEx Ship Center must be picked up on the day they arrive. Pickup at any time during the location’s regular opening hours is acceptable. Please bring valid identification.
- In the unlikely event of a DOA, the customer must contact us and provide clear photographic or video evidence within three hours of FedEx Ship Center pickup—or within three hours of delivery when an LAG-eligible home delivery applies.
- Shipping costs are not refunded, and replacements may not always be available.
ANY DEVIATION FROM THESE REQUIREMENTS MAY VOID THE LAG.
Home delivery is available upon request. When a reasonably accessible FedEx Ship Center authorized to accept the shipment is available, customer-requested home delivery is not eligible for LAG and is sent at the customer’s risk. When no such location is available, home delivery arranged by Buddha Bugs is eligible for LAG, provided all other requirements are met.
For animal safety, we do not ship live animals for home delivery when temperatures are 90°F or higher or 35°F or lower, regardless of whether the shipment would otherwise qualify for LAG.
FedEx does not reimburse Buddha Bugs for lost packages or the loss of live animals. We take every reasonable precaution to give each shipment the best chance of arriving safely.
Returns & Refunds
Returns & Refunds
Returns & Refunds:
We DO NOT accept returns on live animals.
You may return non-live animal products for a refund within 14 days of delivery. The product must be unused and in its original packaging. After we receive your return, we will process refunds within 5-10 business days. Refunds will not include shipping costs. We will reject used products and, when possible, ship them back to the customer.
If an animal arrives deceased, contact us within the required three-hour period and provide clear photographic or video evidence. When all live arrival guarantee requirements are met, we will provide the applicable refund or arrange a replacement when available. Multi-count products are handled according to the number of live animals received. Shipping costs and freebies are not covered. Please review our Shipping & Live Arrival Policy for complete requirements.
For online purchases with local pickup, pickup at a show, or for purchases made at a show, the customer is responsible for inspecting the purchased items and verifying that they are to their satisfaction. If they are not, they must express any dissatisfaction before the sale is completed, as all sales are final. We are not liable for damages after the customer receives their items due to issues including but not limited to the customer mishandling transport and/or overheating animals.
Cancellations:
Customer-requested cancellations are subject to an approximately 3% cancellation fee. For card payments, the fee is 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction; different payment methods may have slightly higher or lower fee amounts. This reflects the nonrecoverable payment-processing cost charged when the order is placed and not returned to us when a refund is issued. Canceling an order also creates additional labor and temporarily removes inventory from availability, so please make sure you are committed before placing an order.
If a product is unavailable because of an inventory error, we will contact the customer and offer to cancel the affected product or the complete order without a cancellation fee.
If we determine after an order is placed that no reasonably accessible FedEx Ship Center authorized to accept the shipment is available, we will contact the customer with any additional cost required for home delivery. If the customer declines that additional charge, the affected portion of the order—or the entire order when necessary—may be canceled without the standard cancellation fee.
Certain ESA-listed Poecilotheria species cannot be shipped across state lines and are clearly marked “TX SALES ONLY” in their product titles and descriptions. If a customer outside Texas purchases one of these animals, the restricted portion of the order—or the entire order when necessary—will be canceled. The approximately 3% cancellation fee will be deducted from the refund because the restriction was disclosed before purchase. Refunds will be issued to the original payment method, but the time required for the credit to appear depends on the payment provider.
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