TherophosaRex2003
New Member
- Messages
- 22
- Location
- Idaho
I'm moving on to more challenging species. I've done some research and put it into care sheets for me to look back on and to send to others if they pet-sit for me while I'm away on a trip. When watching videos and reading about these species online, a lot of the info seems to repeat, so please let me know what could be added, removed, or reworked. Please mind the grammar.
Cuban Bronze Tarantula Care
Scientific Name: Phormictopus auratus
Lifespan: Females About 15 years, Males 4-5 years
Size: About 7-8 inches, though males are smaller
Enclosure Type: Terrestrial
Enclosure Size: 3x the length of the spider for all stages in horizontal space
Enclosure Setup: 1. Fill the enclosure up to ½-2/3 with substrate 2. Hide* 3. Place Decor (Fake plants*, Cork bark, Branches) 4. Water Bowl
Substrate Options: Premade substrates like Reptisoil, Creature soil, jungle mix, Coco fiber mixed with sphagnum moss, sand, peat moss, or topsoil, vermiculite
Temp: Room temp (68-76*F)
Humidity: A water dish that’s overfilled occasionally is fine*
Food*
Sling: Pinhead crickets/roaches, pre-killed/cut up prey
Juvie: Medium crickets/roaches
Adult: Large crickets/roaches
Feeding Schedule* (If this is someone reviewing this or is pet sitting, please look at notes)
Cleaning: Remove uneaten prey after 24 hours, be careful as the urticating hairs can get stuck in the enclosure so wear gloves, deep clean every few months
Notes: Requires moist substrate as slings, though as they get older keep the lower part of the substrate moist, though keep an eye on them to see what they prefer, If/when using fake plants best go with plastic and not fabric, Prey can’t be over 2/3 the size of the spider, cut prey down or crush the heads for small spiders, Depending on the size/age of the spider offering more is needed, They are described as defensive and skittish so care must be taken when doing maintenance, Can be kept at low 80’s, Do not attempt handling, Will burrow a lot when younger
Venezuelan Suntiger Tarantula Care
Scientific Name: Psalmopoeus irminia
Lifespan: Females 12 years Males 4 years
Size: About 6-7 inches
Enclosure Type: Arboreal
Enclosure Size: 3-4x’s the size of the spider in vertical space for all stages
Enclosure Setup: 1. Fill the enclosure 1/3 of the way with substrate* 2. Place Cork Hides upright* 3. Place Decor (Fake plants*, Cork bark, Branches, etc.)* 4. Water Bowl
Substrate Options: Premade substrates like Reptisoil, Creature soil, jungle mix, Coco fiber mixed with sphagnum moss, sand, peat moss or topsoil, vermiculite
Temp: Room (68-74*F)
Humidity: A water dish with a moist corner is good*
Food*
Sling: Pinhead crickets/roaches, pre-killed/cut up prey
Juvie: Medium crickets/roaches
Adult: Large crickets/roaches
Feeding Schedule* (If this is someone reviewing this or is pet sitting, please look at notes)
Cleaning: Remove uneaten prey after 24 hours, deep clean every few months
Notes: They will do some burrowing despite being arboreal, They need moist substrate when younger, when moistening, let the substrate dry out a bit before moistening again The more hides the better Have a reputation as “teleporters” due to their speed so caution is required, some can stand their ground, while others will bolt and can jump, behavior varies from specimen from specimen, they lack urticating hairs, but pack a venom that can lead to nausea, dizziness, and muscle cramps, Feeding depends on the size of the abdomen (if it’s bigger than the head feed less, if it’s smaller feed more), Prey can’t be over 2/3 the size of the spider, cut prey down or crush the heads for small spiders, Can be kept in low 80’s, Knock on the enclosure door to let know you’re going in
Brazilian Blue Dwarf Beauty Tarantula Care
Scientific Name: Dolichothele diamantinensis
Lifespan: Females 12-15 years Males About 3 years
Size: 3-4 inches
Enclosure Type: Terrestrial
Enclosure Size: 3x’s the length of the spider for all stages in horizontal space
Enclosure Setup: 1. Fill the enclosure up to ½-2/3 with substrate 2. Hide* 3. Place Decor (Fake plants*, Cork bark, Branches, etc.)* 4. Water Bowl
Substrate Options: Premade substrates like Reptisoil, Creature soil, jungle mix, Coco fiber mixed with sphagnum moss, sand, peat moss or topsoil, vermiculite
Temp: Room Temp (68*-74*F)
Humidity: A water bowl that’s overfilled occasionally is fine*
Food*
Sling: Pinhead crickets/roaches, pre-killed/cut up prey
Juvie: Medium crickets/roaches
Adult: Large crickets/roaches
Feeding Schedule* (If this is someone reviewing this or is pet sitting, please look at notes)
Cleaning: Remove uneaten prey after 24 hours, deep clean every few months
Notes: They are very heavy webbing, so make sure there are many anchor points, They are very fast and is said to be skittish, so caution is needed to avoid losing this species, Sling do prefer slightly moist substrate, Feeding depends on the size of the abdomen (if it’s bigger than the head feed less, if it’s smaller feed more), Prey can’t be over 2/3 the size of the spider, cut prey down or crush the heads for small spiders, Can be kept in low 80’s, Described as fast growers, so have larger enclosures on hand, They lack urticating hairs unlike other New World species
Cuban Bronze Tarantula Care
Scientific Name: Phormictopus auratus
Lifespan: Females About 15 years, Males 4-5 years
Size: About 7-8 inches, though males are smaller
Enclosure Type: Terrestrial
Enclosure Size: 3x the length of the spider for all stages in horizontal space
Enclosure Setup: 1. Fill the enclosure up to ½-2/3 with substrate 2. Hide* 3. Place Decor (Fake plants*, Cork bark, Branches) 4. Water Bowl
Substrate Options: Premade substrates like Reptisoil, Creature soil, jungle mix, Coco fiber mixed with sphagnum moss, sand, peat moss, or topsoil, vermiculite
Temp: Room temp (68-76*F)
Humidity: A water dish that’s overfilled occasionally is fine*
Food*
Sling: Pinhead crickets/roaches, pre-killed/cut up prey
Juvie: Medium crickets/roaches
Adult: Large crickets/roaches
Feeding Schedule* (If this is someone reviewing this or is pet sitting, please look at notes)
Cleaning: Remove uneaten prey after 24 hours, be careful as the urticating hairs can get stuck in the enclosure so wear gloves, deep clean every few months
Notes: Requires moist substrate as slings, though as they get older keep the lower part of the substrate moist, though keep an eye on them to see what they prefer, If/when using fake plants best go with plastic and not fabric, Prey can’t be over 2/3 the size of the spider, cut prey down or crush the heads for small spiders, Depending on the size/age of the spider offering more is needed, They are described as defensive and skittish so care must be taken when doing maintenance, Can be kept at low 80’s, Do not attempt handling, Will burrow a lot when younger
Venezuelan Suntiger Tarantula Care
Scientific Name: Psalmopoeus irminia
Lifespan: Females 12 years Males 4 years
Size: About 6-7 inches
Enclosure Type: Arboreal
Enclosure Size: 3-4x’s the size of the spider in vertical space for all stages
Enclosure Setup: 1. Fill the enclosure 1/3 of the way with substrate* 2. Place Cork Hides upright* 3. Place Decor (Fake plants*, Cork bark, Branches, etc.)* 4. Water Bowl
Substrate Options: Premade substrates like Reptisoil, Creature soil, jungle mix, Coco fiber mixed with sphagnum moss, sand, peat moss or topsoil, vermiculite
Temp: Room (68-74*F)
Humidity: A water dish with a moist corner is good*
Food*
Sling: Pinhead crickets/roaches, pre-killed/cut up prey
Juvie: Medium crickets/roaches
Adult: Large crickets/roaches
Feeding Schedule* (If this is someone reviewing this or is pet sitting, please look at notes)
Cleaning: Remove uneaten prey after 24 hours, deep clean every few months
Notes: They will do some burrowing despite being arboreal, They need moist substrate when younger, when moistening, let the substrate dry out a bit before moistening again The more hides the better Have a reputation as “teleporters” due to their speed so caution is required, some can stand their ground, while others will bolt and can jump, behavior varies from specimen from specimen, they lack urticating hairs, but pack a venom that can lead to nausea, dizziness, and muscle cramps, Feeding depends on the size of the abdomen (if it’s bigger than the head feed less, if it’s smaller feed more), Prey can’t be over 2/3 the size of the spider, cut prey down or crush the heads for small spiders, Can be kept in low 80’s, Knock on the enclosure door to let know you’re going in
Brazilian Blue Dwarf Beauty Tarantula Care
Scientific Name: Dolichothele diamantinensis
Lifespan: Females 12-15 years Males About 3 years
Size: 3-4 inches
Enclosure Type: Terrestrial
Enclosure Size: 3x’s the length of the spider for all stages in horizontal space
Enclosure Setup: 1. Fill the enclosure up to ½-2/3 with substrate 2. Hide* 3. Place Decor (Fake plants*, Cork bark, Branches, etc.)* 4. Water Bowl
Substrate Options: Premade substrates like Reptisoil, Creature soil, jungle mix, Coco fiber mixed with sphagnum moss, sand, peat moss or topsoil, vermiculite
Temp: Room Temp (68*-74*F)
Humidity: A water bowl that’s overfilled occasionally is fine*
Food*
Sling: Pinhead crickets/roaches, pre-killed/cut up prey
Juvie: Medium crickets/roaches
Adult: Large crickets/roaches
Feeding Schedule* (If this is someone reviewing this or is pet sitting, please look at notes)
Cleaning: Remove uneaten prey after 24 hours, deep clean every few months
Notes: They are very heavy webbing, so make sure there are many anchor points, They are very fast and is said to be skittish, so caution is needed to avoid losing this species, Sling do prefer slightly moist substrate, Feeding depends on the size of the abdomen (if it’s bigger than the head feed less, if it’s smaller feed more), Prey can’t be over 2/3 the size of the spider, cut prey down or crush the heads for small spiders, Can be kept in low 80’s, Described as fast growers, so have larger enclosures on hand, They lack urticating hairs unlike other New World species