Care Guide Available: Read the Complete Trinidad Olive/Gold Dwarf Tarantula Care Guide →
Neoholothele incei doesn't get enough credit. The Trinidad Olive and Gold are two color forms of the same species — one with that rich, earthy olive tone, the other a striking golden carapace that catches light in a way that surprises people who've never kept one. Small package, big personality.
These are New World dwarf terrestrials from Trinidad and Venezuela, topping out around 2–3 inches. What makes them genuinely special in the hobby: they're one of the few tarantula species documented to live communally. With the right setup, you can keep multiples together — something almost no other Ts will tolerate. Cannibalism is rare outside of extreme hunger, which makes them a legitimate communal experiment for keepers ready to try something different.
Fossorial by nature, they'll burrow and web heavily. Fast movers, but not defensive — new world venom, mild, beginner-accessible despite the dwarf size. Females can hit 7 years; males are short-lived at around 2. If you're picking up a colony starter or just want something compact and active on your shelf, N. incei delivers.
Quick Stats:
- Type: New World Dwarf Terrestrial / Fossorial
- Adult Size: 2–3 inches
- Care Level: Beginner–Intermediate
- Temperament: Skittish but not defensive
- Venom: New World — mild, comparable to bee sting
- Urticating Hairs: Yes
- Communal: Yes — one of the few documented communal tarantula species
- Lifespan: Females up to 7 years / Males ~2 years
Husbandry Tips: Deep substrate for burrowing — 4–6 inches minimum. Keep slightly moist at the base. Room temp 72–78°F. Small enclosure is fine; they don't need space, they need depth. Feed small prey items weekly.