Mike's Basic Tarantula

A Basic Site for the Tarantula enthusiast

Cyriocosmus sellatus

Common name: Dwarf Star

Indigenous: Brazil, Peru

Habitat: Most of Brazil has high annual average temperatures, above 22°C (72°F). Only in the South and in the highest elevations does the average fall below this.

A tropical wet climate characterizes much of northern Brazil, with abundant rainfall and little or no dry season. Temperatures average 25°C (77°F). Rainfall averages about 2,200 mm (about 90 in) a year. Over central Brazil rainfall is more seasonal, characteristic of a savanna climate. Eighty percent of the rain falls in summer (October through March). Here rainfall averages about 1,600 mm (about 60 in) a year. In the interior Northeast, seasonal rainfall is even more extreme. The semiarid region receives less than 800 mm (30 in) of rain, which falls in a period of two or three months.

In the Southeast the tropical climate is modified by elevation, with a winter average temperature below 18°C (64°F) and an average rainfall of about 1,400 mm (about 55 in) concentrated in summer. The South has subtropical conditions, with average temperatures below 20°C (68°F) and cool winters.

Temp/humidity: 78°-82 °, 65-75% humidity. I keep this species temperature at 80 degrees and the humidity at 70%. I also keep one-half (1/2) of the substrate in the terrarium basically dry and mist the other side once every two (2) weeks.

Enclosure: This is an opportunistic burrower. As a spiderling, I used a vial that would allow at least three inches (7.62cm) of substrate for burrowing, and three inches (7.62cm) as subadult-adult in a small terrarium.

Substrate: three inches (7.62cm) of substrate in a vial and three inches (7.62cm) a in small 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 one-half inch (1.27cm), I introduced baby crickets. Now I give my Dwarf Star two (2) one-half inch (1.27cm) B. dubia roaches or a one-half inch (1.27cm) crickets weekly. This specie is a good 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 this tarantula as a spiderling of 1/4" (0.635cm) in size. After the first year she had grown to three-fourth inch (3/4"). With constant feeding and with temperatures in the low to mid 80's, it will reach full size within two (2) years at this growth rate.

Adult Size: I read that they get two (2) inches (5.08cm). My Peruvian Dwarf Star has attained a leg length of one and one-half  inches (3.81cm).

Temperament: This is a docile but 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 great colorful Dwarf tarantulas. This is a rather robust dwarf if I must say so. This dwarf is not as feisty as the C. elegans  but is easy to care for.  I love the brass colored carapace.

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