Colombian lesserblack tarantula
ENEndangered

Colombian lesserblack tarantula

Xenesthis immanis

Xenesthis immanis, the Colombian lesser black tarantula, is a terrestrial bird spider (tarantula) found in Colombia, Venezuela, and Peru. It is a relatively large spider with a body length reaching 6–7 cm and a length width reaching 19–22 cm.

3

Countries

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenesthis_immanis

01Classification

Taxonomy & Classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Arachnida

Order

Araneae

Family

Theraphosidae

Genus

Xenesthis

Colombian lesserblack tarantula belongs to the family Theraphosidae, order Araneae, within the Arachnida class.

02Description

Species Profile

Xenesthis immanis, the Colombian lesser black tarantula, is a terrestrial bird spider (tarantula) found in Colombia, Venezuela, and Peru. It is a relatively large spider with a body length reaching 6–7 cm and a length width reaching 19–22 cm. It frequently displays a commensal or mutualistic relationship with the microhylid frog Chiasmocleis ventrimaculata. The relationship described is one where the spider may protect the frog and its eggs from predators while the frog protects the spider's eggs from ants. It has also been observed closely associating with Hamptophryne boliviana, another microhylid.

The Colombian lesserblack tarantula faces severe population decline 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 Colombian species.

Key Facts

IUCN StatusEndangered (EN)
GroupArachnids
04Threats

Threats

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IUCN Red List: Endangered

The Colombian lesserblack tarantula faces severe population decline 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 Colombian species.

Agricultural expansion and land conversion

HighOngoing

Habitat loss and fragmentation from deforestation

HighOngoing

Limited geographic range increasing vulnerability

HighOngoing

Collection for international pet trade

MediumOngoing

Urban development and infrastructure expansion

MediumOngoing
06Range

Found in 3 Countries

Community

Community Sightings

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07Sources

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 lesserblack tarantula (Xenesthis immanis). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/colombian-lesserblack-tarantula

Full citation guide & data usage terms