Mike's Basic Tarantula

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Cyriocosmus leetzi

Common name: Unknown

Indigenous: Colombia

Habitat: Colombia lies between the tropic of Cancer and the tropic of Capricorn. The climate, however, varies with the elevation with average annual temperatures of 24° to 27°C (75° to 80°F). Seasonal variations are slight. In Bogotá the average high temperature in January is 20°C (68°F), and in July the average high is 19°C (65°F). The highs for the same months in Barranquilla are 32°C (89°F) and 33°C (91°F).

Throughout the year, three-month periods of rain and dry weather alternate. Along the Pacific coast precipitation is heavy. At Bogotá the annual rainfall averages about 1,060 mm (about 42 in), and in Barranquilla it averages about 800 mm (about 32 in). Dry weather prevails on the slopes of the Cordillera Oriental.

Temp/humidity: 78°-82° (25.5°-27.7°C), 65-75% 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 (3") in small terrarium. (I use a mixture of peat moss, vermiculite, coconut fiber and dirt for firmness, as the substrate).

Retreat/Hide: This is a opportunistic burrower, therefore I 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 C. leetzi two (2) one-half inch (1.27cm) B. dubia roaches or one (1) one-half inch (1.27cm) 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 fast. I purchased this tarantula as a spiderling of 1/8" (0.3175cm) in size, literally about the size of a gnat. After the first year she had grown to one inch. 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 (2) inches (5.08cm). Mine is only one and one-half inches (3.81cm).

Temperament: This is a docile species. When I open the cage she doesn't run for the burrow. It has never kicked hair at me nor given me a threat pose.

Comments: This is another feisty, easy to care for dwarf species. These little buggers are very hardy. I've seen this dwarf literally tackle a cricket. You will not be disappointed with this species. Not to mention that it is a very colorful tarantula. This tarantula is also very rare in the hobby so these are among my prized jewels.

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