Mike's Basic Tarantula

A Basic Site for the Tarantula enthusiast

Ephebopus murinus

Common name: Skeleton Tarantula

Indigenous: Brazil

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.

Enclosure: This is an obligate burrower, therefore an adult needs eight inches (20.32cm) of substrate to burrow.

Substrate: I use three inches (7.62cm) of substrate in vial, deli cup for spiderlings, and six inches (15.24) 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: This species doesn't need a hide, it will make its own burrow. When I change the substrate, I start a two inch (5.08cm) hole for burrowing in the corner of the enclosure.

Food Consumption: I first fed fruit flies, than when she reached one-half inch (1.27cm) I introduced baby crickets. I give my Skeleton Tarantula one (1) one inch (2.54cm) B. dubia roaches or four (4) adult crickets weekly.  This species is a good eater.

Water Requirements: I keep a water dish in the tank. I have never seen mine drink. I keep the substrate in the terrarium damp. Every two months I wet the substrate, than allow it to dry out.

Growth Rate: The growth rate of this species is fast. I purchased this tarantula as a spiderling of 1/2" (1.27cm) in size. After the first year she had grown to two inch (5,08cm). With constant feeding and with temperatures in the low to 80's, it can reach a size of four inches (10.16cm) within three years.

Adult Size: They get six inches (15.24cm) leg length. Mine is four inches (10.16cm)

Temperament: Because of their defensive nature, they aren't the best species to handle. If approached they will usually go into a threat posture.

Comments: This is a colorful Black and cream tarantula after a fresh molt, but it is a pet hole. You will very seldom see this species. I don't allow my obligate burrowers to gorge themselves; by doing so they stay at the mouth of their burrow waiting for prey. This allows me to see a natural behavior of stalking and get a glimpse of the tarantula. This species is more for the advanced keeper.

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