Mike's Basic Tarantula

A Basic Site for the Tarantula enthusiast

Aphonopelma mojave

Common name: Mojave Dwarf

Indigenous: USA, (arid region in southern California, part of the Great Basin)

Habitat: desert, scrubland

Temp/humidity: 70°-85° (21.1-29.4°C) degrees/50%-70%  humidity  I keep this species temperature at 76°- 82° (24.4°-27.7°C) degrees and the humidity at 60-65%.

Enclosure: Use a spiderling vial that will allow at least three inches (7.62cm) of substrate for burrowing and three inches (7.62cm) as sub-adult-adult.

Substrate: Use three inches (7.62cm) of substrate in vial and three inches in terrarium. (I use a mixture of peat moss, vermiculite, coconut fiber and dirt for firmness, as the substrate).

Retreat/Hide: I Place a bark for a starter burrow hide. This is a burrower.

Food Consumption: I first fed her fruit flies, than when she reached 1/2" (1.27cm) I introduced baby crickets. Now I give my Mojave Dwarf one (1) half inch (1.27cm) B. dubia roaches or two (2) - 1/2" (1.27cm) crickets weekly. This species is a good eater.

Water Requirements: I keep a water dish in the tank. I have never seen mine drink. I keep the substrate in the terrarium dry, but mist occasionally.

Growth Rate: For its size, I would say that the growth rate of this species is medium. I purchased this tarantula as a spiderling of 1/2" (1.27cm) in size. After the first year she had only grown to one inch (2.54cm). With constant feeding and with temperatures in the low to mid 80's, it will probably reach a size of two inches (5.08cm) within three years at this growth rate.

Adult Size: I read that they get two inches (5.08cm). My Mojave is two inches (5.08cm).

Temperament: This is a docile species. It has never kicked hair at me but has given a threat pose occasionally.

Comments: This is a unfamiliar species to me. For its size it is a very bold tarantula. This is an active T also. It is always rearranging the terrarium. I am going to get a video camera to film the voracity it attacks its prey, sometimes tumbling several times while holding on. Without a doubt the dwarfs are my favorite species when it comes to feeding. I look forward to collecting as many dwarf species as possible. They are easy to care for. I expect this to be a long lived species, for most Aphonopelma species are.

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