Mike's Basic Tarantula

A Basic Site for the Tarantula enthusiast

Hapolopus triseriatus)

Common name: Pumpkin Patch

Indigenous: Columbia

Habitat: Colombia lies almost entirely in the Torrid Zone, a meteorological term denoting the areas of the earth’s surface between the tropic of Cancer and the tropic of Capricorn. The climate, however, varies with the elevation with average annual temperatures of 24° to 27°C (75° to 80°F). Seasonal variations are slight. In Bogotá the average high temperature in January is 20°C (68°F), and in July the average high is 19°C (65°F). The highs for the same months in Barranquilla are 32°C (89°F) and 33°C (91°F).

Throughout the year, three-month periods of rain and dry weather alternate. Along the Pacific coast precipitation is heavy. At Bogotá the annual rainfall averages about 1,060 mm (about 42 in), and in Barranquilla it averages about 800 mm (about 32 in). Dry weather prevails on the slopes of the Cordillera Oriental.

Temp/humidity: 78°-82 °(25.8°-27.8°C), 65-90%  humidity.  I keep this species temperature at 80 degrees and the humidity at 70%. I keep one-half (1/2) of the substrate in the terrarium basically dry. I mist the other side once every two (2) weeks.

Enclosure: Use a spiderling vial that will allow at least three inches of substrate for burrowing and three inches as sub-adult-adult in a small terrarium.

Substrate: I use three inches (7.62cm) of substrate in vial and three inches (7.62cm) in small terrarium. (I use a mixture of peat moss, vermiculite, coconut fiber and dirt for firmness, as the substrate).

Retreat/Hide: Because this is an opportunistic burrower, I Place a bark for a starter burrow hide.

Food Consumption: I first fed her fruit flies, than when she reached one-half (1.27cm), I introduced baby crickets. Now I give my Pumpkin Patch one (1) one-half inch (1.27cm) B. dubia roaches or one (1) half inch (1.27cm) crickets weekly. This specie is a excellent 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 fast. I purchased this tarantula as a spiderling of one-eighth inch (0.635cm) in size. After the first year she grew to one inch 2.54cm"). With constant feeding and with temperatures in the low to 80's, it will probably reach full size within two (2) years at this growth rate.

Adult Size: I read that there are two morphs, and one gets larger than the other. One doesn't get over two inches (5.08cm) and the other grow between three and four inches (7.62-10.16cm). Mine are only two inches (5.08cm).

Temperament: This is a docile but skittish specie. When I open the cage, she run for the burrow, than turn around and return to the mouth of the burrow. It has never kicked hair at me nor given me a threat pose.

Comments: I love this Dwarf tarantulas. This is a new species in the USA. I consider a tarantula a dwarf if it does not attain a size over two and one-half inches (6.35cm) leg length. A three inch (7.62cm) tarantula in my opinion is not a dwarf; small, but not dwarf. These buggers are also feisty, hardy and bold. I've seen my dwarf literally tackle a cricket. You will not be disappointed with this species. Not to mention, it is one of the most colorful of tarantulas I've seen. They stay out of their hide a lot too. This tarantula will make a gorgeous and rare addition to any collection.

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