Mike's Basic Tarantula
A Basic Site for the Tarantula enthusiast
Acanthoscurria theraphosoides
Common name: Brazilian Black and White (This species was formally named Acanthroscurria brocklehersti, but stay-tuned)
Indigenous: Brazil
Habitat: A tropical wet climate characterizes much of northern Brazil, with abundant rainfall and little or no dry season. Temperatures average 25°C (77°F), with more significant temperature variations between night and day than between seasons. Rainfall averages about 2,200 mm (about 90 in) a year. Over central Brazil rainfall is more seasonal, characteristic of a savanna climate. Eighty percent of the rain falls in summer (October through March), and there are more seasonal variations in temperature. Here rainfall averages about 1,600 mm (about 60 in) a year. In the interior Northeast, seasonal rainfall is even more extreme. The semiarid region receives less than 800 mm (30 in) of rain, which falls in a period of two or three months. In addition to its scarcity and seasonal nature, the rain occasionally fails completely, causing serious drought conditions.
In the Southeast the tropical climate is modified by elevation, with a winter average temperature below 18°C (64°F) and an average rainfall of about 1,400 mm (about 55 in) concentrated in summer. The South has subtropical conditions, with average temperatures below 20°C (68°F) and cool winters.
Temp/humidity: 70°-82° (21.1°-26.6°C)/65-75% humidity
Enclosure: Use a terrarium that will allow at least four inches (10.16cm) of substrate.
Substrate: four inches (10.16cm) of substrate. (I use a mixture of peat moss, vermiculite, coconut fiber and dirt for firmness, as the substrate).
Retreat/Hide: Place a bark for a starter burrow hide
Food Consumption: I fed my new born spiderlings fruit flies, than when they reached 1/2" (1.27cm) I introduced baby crickets. My adult Brazilian Black and White, I give 2 inch (5.08cm) B. dubia roaches or 10 adult crickets weekly. This species is a good eater, and attacks its prey with a vengeance. I also give her one pinkie-mouse or a house gecko once a year for variety.
Water Requirements: I keep a water dish in the tank, even though after six years, I have never seen mine drink, and it always fill the water dish with substrate. I also dampen one-half of the substrate in the terrarium by overflowing the water dish then I allow it to dry out.
Growth Rate: The growth rate for this species is medium-fast. With proper heating and feeding it may attain a leg length of four inches (10.16cm) in a year.
Adult Size: This species may attain a leg length of seven to eight inches (17.78-20.32cm)
Temperament: This is a bold tarantula, but not aggressive as an adult. It may use a defensive pose, but would rather retreat than stand and fight.
Comments: This is an aggressive eating T. They has never refused a meal, unless near a molt. A must have for your collection. It is black with narrow white bands on the legs joints, along with thin stripes on the legs. A beautiful species coupled with size, makes this tarantula one of the better display spiders.

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