Mike's Basic Tarantula

A Basic Site for the Tarantula enthusiast

Cyrtopholis portoricae

Common name: Unknown

Indigenous: Puerto Rico

Habitat: Puerto Rico has an agreeable climate. San Juan has a mean July temperature of 28°C (83°F) and a mean January temperature of 25°C (77°F). The average temperature of the seawater surrounding the island is 27°C (81°F), with little variation during the course of the year.

The entire island is cooled by the trade winds from the northeast. This air also contains much water vapor. As the air is forced to rise over the mountains, it becomes cooler and the water vapor condenses and falls as rain. San Juan receives an average of 1,330 mm (52 in) of precipitation each year. The southwestern coastal area generally receives the least rain in Puerto Rico and has a distinct dry season from December to March.

Temp/humidity: 76°-84°F degrees/65-75% humidity

Enclosure: This is an opportunistic burrower. As a spiderling, I used a vial that would allow at least three inches (3") of substrate for burrowing. As subadult-adult I use a terrarium that will allow at least four inches of substrate.

Substrate: four inches of substrate. (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 fed my new born spiderlings fruit flies, then when they reached 1/2" I introduced baby crickets, My adult , I give one-one inch (1") B. dubia roaches or 10 adult crickets weekly. This species is a good eater, and attack its prey with a vengeance.

Water Requirements: I keep a water dish in the tank. I have never seen mine drink, and it always fill the water dish with substrate. I also dampen one-half of the substrate in the terrarium by overflowing the water dish then I allow it to dry out.

Growth Rate: The growth rate for this species is slow to medium. With proper heating and feeding it may attain a leg length of one inch (1") in one (1) years.

Adult Size: This species may attain a leg length of three-four inches (3"-4")

Temperament: This is a feisty tarantula; but not aggressive as an adult. It will use a defensive pose to say, "doesn't touch".

Comments: This tarantulais small, but not a dwarf. It is almost always in its burrow. Even though it is a small T, she will hold her ground when its domain is encroached upon. She is an aggressive eating tarantula. They has never refused a meal unless near a molt. This is a hansome tarantula with nice golden brown stripe markings. This is also a easy to care for species.

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