Mike's Basic Tarantula

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Gammostola chalcothrix

Common name: Pampas Golden

Indigenous: Argentina

Habitat: Temperate climatic conditions prevail throughout most of Argentina, except for a small tropical area in the northeast and the subtropical Chaco in the north. In Buenos Aires the average temperature range is 20° to 30°C (67° to 86°F) in January and 8° to 15°C (46° to 60°F) in July. In Mendoza, in the foothills of the Andes to the west, the average temperature range is 16° to 32°C (60° to 90°F) in January and 2° to 15°C (35° to 59°F) in July.

Temp/humidity: 65°-78°(18.3°-25.5°C) /55%-65% humidity. I keep this species temperature at 78° (25.5°C) degrees and the humidity at 65%.

Enclosure: As a spiderling, I used a vial that would allow at least three inches (7.62cm) of substrate for burrowing. As sub-adult-adult I use a terrarium that will allow at least four inches (10.16cm) of substrate

Substrate: I use four inches of substrate. (I use a mixture of peat moss, vermiculite, coconut fiber and dirt for firmness, as the substrate).

Retreat/Hide: This is an opportunistic burrower, therefore I place a bark for a starter burrow hide.

Food Consumption: I fed the new born spiderlings fruit flies. When they reached 1/2", I introduced baby crickets. My adult Pampas Golden, I give one (1) one-inch B. dubia roaches or four adult crickets weekly. This species is a casual eater but the only refuses food when it is near a molt.

Water Requirements: I keep a water dish in the tank. I have never seen mine drink. I keep the substrate in the terrarium dry.  I, once a year overflow the watering dish to wet half the substrate, to simulate the weather pattern, but when I do, she stays away from the wet substrate.

Growth Rate: The growth rate of this species is slow. I purchased this tarantula as a spiderling.

Adult Size: Unknown, This is a rather small species, after seven years my Pampas Golden has grown to maybe four inches (10.16cm).

Temperament: This is a very laid back, and easy to handle species. It has never kicked hair at me nor given me a threat pose. She is always out in the open and is very friendly.

Comments: This is a easy to care for tarantula. It is a brown tarantula with golden brown fuzzy hair over the body and legs, similar to the Curly Hair. It is not an aggressive eater, but has never refused a meal. This species is rare in the trade. If you have a opportunity to purchase one, you will have a collector's item.

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