Buddha Bugs
Melopoeus albostriatus 'Nakhon Ratchasima', formerly Cyriopagopus albostriatus 'Nakhon Ratchasima' (Thai zebra earth tiger tarantula) 0.5"
Melopoeus albostriatus 'Nakhon Ratchasima', formerly Cyriopagopus albostriatus 'Nakhon Ratchasima' (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 ‘Nakhon Ratchasima’, commonly known as the Thai zebra tarantula, Thailand zebra leg tarantula, or Thai zebra earth tiger, is a locality and color form associated with Nakhon Ratchasima Province in northeastern Thailand. Adult females are robust, with a smoky olive-gray to nearly black carapace, often showing a darker center, pale margin, and fine pale hairs along the radiating grooves. The chelicerae bear silvery-gray hairs, and the dark legs and pedipalps have narrow, paired pale longitudinal stripes. The abdomen may appear almost unpatterned or show a broad dark median field with muted brown or coppery lateral markings and transverse bands. Coloration and pattern contrast vary with lighting, molt condition, age, and individual characteristics. Mature males are slimmer and proportionally longer-legged than females.
In captivity, M. albostriatus ‘Nakhon Ratchasima’ excavates silk-lined burrows and reinforces the entrance of its retreat with substrate, webbing, and nearby debris. Individuals generally remain concealed during the day and become more active after dark, when they may position themselves near the burrow entrance to detect passing prey. Deep, compactable substrate and a suitable moisture gradient support normal burrowing behavior and allow the spider to remain concealed when disturbed. Like other Old World tarantulas, M. albostriatus lacks urticating hairs and relies primarily on speed, retreat use, and defensive displays when exposed.
- Common Name: Thai zebra tarantula; Thailand zebra leg tarantula; Thai zebra earth tiger
- Derivative Range: Nakhon Ratchasima Province, northeastern 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 ‘Nakhon Ratchasima’ Care
Melopoeus albostriatus ‘Nakhon Ratchasima’ adapts well to captivity when maintained in a secure, well-ventilated enclosure with sufficient substrate depth to establish a permanent burrow. The substrate should hold its shape during excavation, with slightly moister lower layers and a comparatively dry surface. A partially buried piece of cork bark or a narrow starter burrow can encourage newly introduced specimens to establish a retreat. Once the burrow is established, minimize unnecessary disturbance.
- 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 can support a stable burrow. Coconut fiber, peat moss, topsoil, or similar substrates work well, and a small clay component can improve structural 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 subsequently became the type species of Melopoeus. It was later placed in Haplopelma and then Cyriopagopus before Melopoeus was restored as a valid genus in 2026. Accordingly, historical references to Haplopelma albostriatum or Cyriopagopus albostriatus ‘Nakhon Ratchasima’ refer to the same currently recognized species, with the additional geographic designation identifying this particular captive line.
The ‘Nakhon Ratchasima’ designation associates this captive lineage with Nakhon Ratchasima Province, also known as Khorat, in northeastern Thailand. The province lies along the southwestern margin of the Khorat Plateau and encompasses a range of forested, agricultural, and seasonally influenced landscapes. The locality label provides geographic context for the line maintained in captivity but does not independently establish the exact collecting site, original habitat, or uninterrupted chain of custody of individual animals.
This locality has also circulated under designations including Haplopelma albostriatum ‘Nakhon Ratchasima’, Cyriopagopus albostriatus ‘Nakhon Ratchasima’, and Thai zebra “DCF,” meaning dark color form. The abbreviation “DCF” refers to general coloration rather than a formally recognized taxon or a uniquely defined geographic lineage. Because dark coloration also occurs in other captive populations of M. albostriatus, animals identified only as dark color forms should not automatically be assigned to the ‘Nakhon Ratchasima’ line.
Although specimens associated with this locality generally display dark legs and sharply contrasting pale longitudinal stripes, their appearance is not completely uniform. The carapace may vary from smoky olive-gray to nearly black, and the abdomen may appear almost plain or display recognizable brownish, coppery, or grayish lateral markings. Lighting, molt condition, and individual variation can significantly affect how visible these features are. Consequently, coloration alone cannot confirm that an unlabeled specimen originated from Nakhon Ratchasima or belongs to an established captive line.
Some hobby discussions describe a particularly large, dark-colored form of M. albostriatus. However, the presence of dark coloration does not establish that the ‘Nakhon Ratchasima’ lineage belongs to that purported form or consistently reaches a larger adult size than other populations. Without reliable comparative measurements, this locality is best described within the general adult size range recognized for the species.
Other geographically labeled lines of M. albostriatus maintained in captivity include animals associated with Tak, Ratchaburi, and Chaiyaphum. The Tak-associated ‘purple zebra’ lineage is generally recognized for stronger violet-blue coloration, while other lines may overlap considerably in darkness, striping, and abdominal pattern. These designations represent captive provenance and observed variation rather than formally recognized separate taxa. Maintaining established lines independently preserves their available geographic history and prevents separately labeled populations from being treated as interchangeable based solely on appearance.
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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