Mike's Basic Tarantula

A Basic Site for the Tarantula enthusiast

Aphonopelma sp. (Davis Mt. Rusty)

Common name: Davis Mt. Rusty

Indigenous: USA, (Texas)

Habitat: Scrubland,

Temp/humidity: 70°-85° (21.1°-29.4°C) degrees/55%-70%  humidity  I keep this species temperature at 80° (26.6°C) and the humidity at 65%.

Enclosure: Use an terrarium that will allow at least four inches (10.16cm) of substrate

Substrate: I use 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 sub-adult Davis Mt. Rusty, I give (2) - one inch B. dubia roaches or five (5) adult 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.

Growth Rate: The growth rate of this species is slow. I purchased this tarantula as a spiderling of 1/8" (0.3175cm) in size. After the first year she had only grown to one inch (2.54cm). With constant feeding and with temperatures in the low 80's, they will reach a size of three inches within five years. After she attained a leg length of three inches (7.62cm), they tend to stay outside their burrow.

Adult Size: I read that they get five inches (12.7cm. Mine is only three inches (7.62cm).

Temperament: This is a docile species. It has never kicked hair at me nor given a threat pose

Comments: This is a undescribed species. I am a avid collector of the genus Aphonopelma; therefore any new species that I have an opportunity to collect, I will. This is a very delightful species to own. She has not attained her true color as of yet, stay tuned. They are easy to care for. You will have to kill or sell this tarantula to get rid of it. I expect this to be a long lived species, for most Aphonopelma species are.

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