Mike's Basic Tarantula

A Basic Site for the Tarantula enthusiast

Omothymus schioedtei

[formally Cyriopagopus schioedtei]

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Common name: Malaysian Earth Tiger

Indigenous: Malaysian

Habitat: Malaysia weather benefits from a tropical climate with high temperatures and high humidity throughout the year. Daytime temperatures rise above 30°C (86°F) year-round and night-time temperatures rarely drop below 20°C (68°F).

Temp/humidity: I keep the temperature between 78°-82°F (25.5°-27.7°C) and the humidity at 60%-70%. The substrate in the terrarium is kept more on the dry side and monthly I wet the substrate, than allow it to dry out completely.

Enclosure: This is a arboreal tarantula. As spiderling or juvenile, I put a twig in  the vial so it may climb, but they normally spend most of the time webbed in at the base of the twigs. When they get between three and four inches (7.76cm-10.16cm), I housed them in their permanent enclosures. They should be given a hollow vertical branch or cork to climb into. Their enclosure should be vertical. I have observed that, if the terrarium is decorated with plants, live or artificial, it will encourage the tarantula to venture out of its hide periodically.

Substrate: Use one inch (2.54cm) of substrate in vial, deli cup  for spiderlings, and two inches (5.06cm) in a terrarium for sub-adult to adult. (I use a mixture of peat moss, vermiculite, coconut fiber and dirt for firmness, as the substrate).

Retreat/Hide: A ten inch (25.4cm) vertical barreled bark leaned against the cage.

Food Consumption: I introduced one-forth inch (.635cm) baby crickets to the spiderlings. Now I give my Malaysian Earth Tiger two (2) -one inch B. dubia roaches or five (5) adult crickets weekly. This species is a good eater, but normally waits until its dark before coming out to eat. For variety, I give my girl one (1) house gecko every six (6) months. It appears that from the strategy it uses to catch a lizard, in the wild, lizards are a normal part of their diet.

Water Requirements: I glued a small bottle cap to the bark that is leaning against the cage for water and I also mist.

Growth Rate: This is a fast growing tarantula. I bought her at one inch (2.54cm). The first year she attained a leg length of three inches (7.76cm).

Adult Size: I read that this tarantula can reach a leg length of seven (7") inches. My girl is a relaxed five inches (12.7cm).

Temperament: This is a very fast moving spider. It is not what I would consider a defensive tarantula, but will probably bite if provoked. It has never given me a threat pose, but can be flighty.

Comments: This is a seclude species and is rarely visible. If not given the proper hide, it will web up its enclosure, but this process take a while and it will hover up in a corner of the cage. It will eventually web a hammock, settle in and become more visible, but the process looks stressful on the spider.

As an introduction to this Genus, I suggest you get a large Avicularia specie such as Avicularia braunshauseni. This specie will give you an experience with a large fast moving arboreal without the potent toxin.

This Asian species is a beautiful olive green appearance with striking markings on the legs. It is reported that the toxin from this tarantula is stronger than most tarantulas.

Because of its speed, and toxin, this species is not recommended as a beginner tarantula.