Mike's Basic Tarantula

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Tliltocatl verdezi

Common name: Mexican Rose Grey

Indigenous: Central America, Mexico

Habitat: savanna, scrubland

Temp/humidity: 70°-85° (21.1°-29.4°C)/65%-80%  humidity; I keep this species temperature at 80° (26.6°C) and the humidity at 65-70%. I wet one half side of the terrarium where the water dish is then allow it to dry out completely.

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. This is an opportunistic burrower. When they reach three inches (7.62cm), they stay out in the open more than in their hide, which make them a good display tarantula.

Food Consumption: I first fed her fruit flies, than when she reached 1/2" (1.27cm) I introduced baby crickets. I give my Mexican Rose Grey (2) B. dubia roaches or ten (10) - adult crickets weekly. This species is an excellent eater.

Water Requirements: I keep a water dish in the tank. I have never seen mine drink.

Growth Rate: The growth rate of this species is medium. I purchased my girls as spiderlings of 1/4" (0.635cm) in size. After the first year they had grown to one and a half inch (3.81cm). With constant feeding and with temperatures in the low to mid 80's, they reached a size of three inches (7.62cm) within three years.

Adult Size: I read that they grow to six inches (15.24cm). After ten (10) years they are a solid six inches (15.24cm)

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

Comments: This is a robust species. The thickness of the leg make it looks larger than it really is. As with most of the Tliltocatl species, they start getting the old age spread at around the eighth year molt. I acquired this species by accident. I ordered two Grammostola pulchra and was sent two Rose Greys. They were two inches before I accepted the fact that I had been shipped the wrong spiders. Even though the dealer said they would pay for the shipping to replaced them with the right T's, I decided to keep them. I don't regret it. These are a welcomed addition.

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