Mike's Basic Tarantula

A Basic Site for the Tarantula enthusiast

Aphonopelma sp. (Malinche)

Common name: Mexican Malinche

Indigenous: Mexico

Habitat: scrubland, desert

Temp/humidity: 70°-85° degrees/55%-70%  humidity  I keep this species temperature at 80° degrees and the humidity at 65%.

Enclosure: Use a spiderling vial that will allow at least three inches (7.62cm) of substrate for burrowing and four inches (10.16cm) as sub-adult-adult.

Substrate: I use three inches (7.62cm) of substrate in vial and four inches (10.16cm) in terrarium. (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 first fed her fruit flies, than when she reached 1/2" (1.27cm) I introduced baby crickets. Now I give my Malinche (2) - one-half inch (1.27cm) B. dubia roaches or two (2) 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 very slow. I purchased this tarantula as a spiderling of 1/8" (0.3175cm) in size. After the first year she had only grown to three-fourth inch (1.901cm). With constant feeding and with temperatures in the low to mid 80's, it will probably reach a size of three inches (7.62cm) within five years at this growth rate.

Adult Size: I read that they get five inches (12.7cm). Mine is only one inches (1").

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. This is an easy to care for T. I expect this to be  a long lived species, for most Aphonopelma species are.

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