Colombian brown tarantula
Pamphobeteus fortis
Pamphobeteus fortis also known as the Colombian giant copperhead or Colombian giant brown tarantula is a tarantula which was first described by Anton Ausserer in 1875. As its common name aptly states it is found in Colombia, Venezuela and Panama.
1
Countries
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Nikolas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Nikolas
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Arachnida
Order
Araneae
Family
Theraphosidae
Genus
Pamphobeteus
Colombian brown tarantula belongs to the family Theraphosidae, order Araneae, within the Arachnida class.
Species Profile
Pamphobeteus fortis also known as the Colombian giant copperhead or Colombian giant brown tarantula is a tarantula which was first described by Anton Ausserer in 1875. As its common name aptly states it is found in Colombia, Venezuela and Panama.
The Colombian brown tarantula faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat destruction from deforestation, agricultural expansion, and urban development in its limited range. Collection pressure for the international pet trade has further reduced wild populations of this endemic species.
Key Facts
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
The Colombian brown tarantula faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat destruction from deforestation, agricultural expansion, and urban development in its limited range. Collection pressure for the international pet trade has further reduced wild populations of this endemic species.
Agricultural expansion and land conversion
Habitat loss and fragmentation from deforestation
Limited geographic range increasing vulnerability
Collection for international pet trade
Urban development and infrastructure expansion
Found in 1 Country
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Colombian brown tarantula (Pamphobeteus fortis). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/colombian-brown-tarantula