Theraphosidae

Dominik Alexander
Nov 7
2 min read

Theraphosidae—the tarantulas—were formalized as a family in the 19th century, when Tamerlan Thorell introduced the family name in 1869. Today, tarantula classification is still actively evolving: the World Spider Catalog (WSC, the standard reference used by many researchers and museums) currently recognizes 186 valid genera and 1,189 valid species in Theraphosidae (WSC update dated 2025-11-27).

At the genus level, theraphosid taxonomy has been shaped by two big forces: (1) steady discovery and description of new species across the tropics, and (2) revisions of genus boundaries as scientists compare anatomy across larger sample sizes and (increasingly) add DNA data. A recent review of theraphosid systematics notes two major “waves” of taxonomic activity, including explosive growth over the last ~60 years; for example, 58 new theraphosid species were described in 2023 alone.

Historically, many genus definitions relied heavily on morphology (features like male palpal organs, female spermathecae, leg spination, and defensive hairs), but convergent evolution can make unrelated lineages look similar. That’s one reason genus concepts are frequently refined. Modern molecular and phylogenomic studies are now providing clearer tests of relationships among major lineages and helping stabilize higher groupings (like subfamilies), while also highlighting where some traditional genera may not represent single evolutionary lineages.

Theraphosidae sp. dorado

Common name: Dorado / Golden Royalty (trade name; currently listed broadly as Theraphosidae sp.)
Origin: Peru
Lifestyle: Terrestrial; often described as a heavier webber for a ground-dweller
Adult size: ~4–5 in (10–13 cm) diagonal leg span (some keepers report up to ~13–15 cm)
Growth rate: Medium; sometimes reported as a bit on the slower side
Temperament: Generally calm/docile, though can be shy
Color & appearance: Bold gold + deep navy/blue contrast; golden “skeleton” legs with blue femurs, darker/blue abdomen, and a gold-patterned carapace

Species history

Theraphosinae sp. “Dorado” (often marketed as “Dorado Gold” or “Golden Royalty”) is a hobby trade name for a striking gold-and-blue New World terrestrial tarantula from Peru. Because it’s sold as “sp.”, it indicates an unspecified / not formally published species name rather than a settled scientific binomial, and the final genus/species placement may change once it’s formally described.

Within the hobby, it’s considered a newer, limited-availability entrant, with keepers frequently noting that reliable, published background information is sparse compared with long-established captive species.

Natural habitat

This tarantula is reported in the trade as native to Peru and ground-dwelling (terrestrial). While exact collection localities are not consistently published under the “sp. Dorado” label, it is associated with the Neotropical tarantula fauna (the broader region where Theraphosinae occur).

As a terrestrial theraphosid, it is best described ecologically as a forest-floor / soil-and-leaf-litter species that would use natural cover and short burrows or silk-lined retreats for shelter, emerging to ambush prey and retreat when disturbed—behavior typical of many Peruvian New World terrestrial tarantulas, and consistent with how this species is categorized in the hobby.

Our Specimen

Given name: TBD

Sex: TBD

Life stage: Sling