Megaphobema mesomelas (Costa Rican Red Leg)

[Doc Miller]

Anyone else working with Costa Rican Red Legs

 

[Nicolas C]

I bought one male and one females both juvie some weeks ago. Male has molted, female still in her sealed hole. They are gorgeous! I'm trying to keep both of them at 23C maximum, less whenever possible (planning to keep them in my cellar for summer months).


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[Phil]

Got an unsexed one about an inch. It is so aggressive.....lol. attacks water when you put it in. Went to get its last moult out with tweezers and it launched itself at them too! Crickets never stand a chance.

 

[sdsnybny]

have one 2" unsexed M. mesomelas who shreds the molt every time ;(

 

[IamKrush]

Im looking in to possible getting one on the next round of Ts I get

 

[Pasodama]

Only have one M. mesomelas at this time. A young female. She is rather calm and has never shown aggression.
Plan to get another "one or two" M. mesomelas at some point.
Absolutely love this species.

 

[MassExodus]

Is it true they need to be kept almost wet?

 

[Nicolas C]

Is it true they need to be kept almost wet?

It is advised by most keepers. For me, I don't have enough experience to tell, but I try to keep mine extra moist with lots of ventilation. Will see if it works. But as the temps are rather low, it's a little bit easier to keep the moisture high.


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[MassExodus]

It is advised by most keepers. For me, I don't have enough experience to tell, but I try to keep mine extra moist with lots of ventilation. Will see if it works. But as the temps are rather low, it's a little bit easier to keep the moisture high.


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Sounds like an interesting species, I may have to try it out. Thanks Nicolas.

 

[Pasodama]

Is it true they need to be kept almost wet?

I don't think "almost wet" is very good for most any terrestrial/burrower.
I keep my M. mesomelas with moisture, to her substrate, but one would not be able to squeeze any water out of it.
There is good ventilation as well.
Her temps are usually between 70 - 75 degrees fahrenheit (sometimes +/-).
She has been thriving.

 

[MassExodus]

I don't think "almost wet" is very good for most any terrestrial/burrower.
I keep my M. mesomelas with moisture, to her substrate, but one would not be able to squeeze any water out of it.
There is good ventilation as well.
Her temps are usually between 70 - 75 degrees fahrenheit (sometimes +/-).
She has been thriving.

It sounds like they're care is similar to Pamphobeteus or Theraphosa when you put it that way..I wonder why the threads I read didn't just say that..

 

[Nicolas C]

It sounds like they're care is similar to Pamphobeteus or Theraphosa when you put it that way..I wonder why the threads I read didn't just say that..

Yeah, not so different, you're right. Maybe M mesomelas are more fragile about temps and have to be kept cooler than Pamphobeteus or Theraphosa (that being said, a famous breeder JM Verdez advise to keep Theraphosa rather cold too).

Some people believe that it's the same with Megaphobema robustum: low temps as they are Megaphobema. But it's not true: M robustum come from a very different climate than M mesomelas and should be kept with same temperatures as other tropical spp (23-28C).


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[Casey K.]

Yeah, not so different, you're right. Maybe M mesomelas are more fragile about temps and have to be kept cooler than Pamphobeteus or Theraphosa (that being said, a famous breeder JM Verdez advise to keep Theraphosa rather cold too).

Some people believe that it's the same with Megaphobema robustum: low temps as they are Megaphobema. But it's not true: M robustum come from a very different climate than M mesomelas and should be kept with same temperatures as other tropical spp (23-28C).


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I have heard the same. That it's best to keep megaphobema at cooler temps. Wasn't thinking of locality but a few of my friends in the hobby keep this species (mesomelas) in the 60°f range and they are doing quite well with them.

 

[MassExodus]

Btw, @Doc Miller is that pure vermiculite? I've heard some people swear by it. Never tried it myself.

 

[Doc Miller]

No,, I use a mix of 2/3rds fine grade vermiculite to 1/3rd Coco fiber. In some of those pics is course grade (all I could get at the time and was glade for it to be gone, just didn't pack well.
I have used 100% but my mix to 1/2 -n- 1/2 looks better.

 

[Doc Miller]

I've had 8 M mesomelas , 3 back in 2001 to 2004, sold them. Then I got 5 slings in Jan of 2016. Lost 1
I live in central FL and have kept them as any other T in my collection.
My T room ranges from mid to high 70's.
I've done nothing extra except keeping them more humid like my T.blondi's & Pampho's
Never have I kept them any cooler than anything else.
I also have 1.2 M. velvetosoma & 1.2 M. robustum

 

[Casey K.]

I've had 8 M mesomelas , 3 back in 2001 to 2004, sold them. Then I got 5 slings in Jan of 2016. Lost 1
I live in central FL and have kept them as any other T in my collection.
My T room ranges from mid to high 70's.
I've done nothing extra except keeping them more humid like my T.blondi's & Pampho's
Never have I kept them any cooler than anything else.
I also have 1.2 M. velvetosoma & 1.2 M. robustum

Nice future breeders you've got there,Doc.

 

[Doc Miller]

The M. velvetosoma could be at anytime, just waiting for the male to molt.
My M. robustum's I've had for 5 years, Nice big females. Need to find a male or pick up 1/2 doz slings.
M mesomelas going to be a while for those.3 to 4 inchers at the moment

 

[Casey K.]

I wish you the best of luck in your breeding projects!

 

[Doc Miller]

Well thank you Darlin. What are you working with these days?