Mike's Basic Tarantula

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Cyriocosmus elegans

Common name: Trinidad Dwarf Tiger

Indigenous: Trinidad and Tobago

Habitat:Trinidad and Tobago, well within the tropics, both enjoy a generally pleasant maritime tropical climate influenced by the northeast trade winds. In Trinidad the annual mean temperature is 26 °C (78.8 °F), and the average maximum temperature is 34 °C (93.2 °F). The humidity is high, particularly during the rainy season, when it averages 85 to 87 %. The island receives an average of 2,110 millimeters (83.1 in) of rainfall per year, usually concentrated in the months of June through Decembe. Precipitation is highest in the Northern Range, which may receive as much as 3,810 millimeters (150 in). During the dry season, drought plagues the island's central interior. Tobago's climate is similar to Trinidad's but slightly cooler. Its rainy season extends from June to December; the annual rainfall is 2,500 millimeters (98.4 in).

Temp/humidity: 78°-82° (25.5°-27.7cm°), 65-90%  humidity.  I keep this species temperature at 80 degrees and the humidity at 70%. I keep one-half (1/2) of the substrate in the terrarium basically dry. I mist the other side once every two (2) weeks.

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 in a small terrarium.

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

Retreat/Hide: Because this is a opportunistic burrower, I Place a bark for a starter burrow hide.

Food Consumption: I first fed her fruit flies, than when she reached one-half (1.27cm), I introduced baby crickets. Now I give my Trinidad Dwarf Tigerrump (2) - one-half inch (1.27cm) B. dubia roaches or one-half inch ( 1.27cm) crickets weekly. This species is a 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 fast. I purchased this tarantula as a spiderling of one-eighth inch (0.3175cm) in size. After the first year she had grown to one inch (2.54cm). With constant feeding and with temperatures in the low to mid 80's, it will probably reach full size within two (2) years at this growth rate.

Adult Size: I read that they get two inches (2"). Mine is only one and one-half  inches (1- 1/2").

Temperament: This is a docile but skittish species. When I open the cage she run for the burrow, then turn around and return to the mouth of the burrow. It has never kicked hair at me nor given me a threat pose.

Comments: I love the Dwarf tarantulas. I consider a tarantula a dwarf if it does not attain a size over two and one-half inches (6.35cm) leg length. A three inch (7.62cm) tarantula in my opinion is not a dwarf; small, but not dwarf. The Trinidad Dwarf Tigerrump is the species that captured my intrest in dwarf tarantulas. These fellas are feisty, hardy and bold. I've seen my dwarf literally tackle a cricket. You will not be disappointed with this species. Not to mention it is one of the most colorful of tarantulas. Because or this dwarf species, I have in my collection eleven (11) different species of Dwarf tarantulas.

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