Mike's Basic Tarantula

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Lasiodora parahybana

Common name: Brazilian Salmon Pink

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.

Temp/humidity: 75°-80° /65%-75%  humidity  I keep this species temperature at 78° degrees and the humidity at 70%.

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 sub-adult-adult I use a terrarium that will allow at least four inches (4") 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: Place a bark for a starter burrow hide

Food Consumption: I fed my new born spiderlings fruit flies. When they reached 1/2" I introduced baby crickets. My adult Brazilian Salmon Pink, I give two (2) one-inch B. dubia roaches or 10 adult crickets weekly. This species is a great eater, and attacks its prey with a vengeance. I also give her one pinkie-mouse or a house gecko once a year for variety.

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

Growth Rate: The growth rate for this species is medium-fast. With proper heating and feeding it may attain a leg length of four inches within a year.

Adult Size: I read that this species may attain a leg length of ten inches (10"). The Brazilian Salmon Pink rivals the T. blondi in size.   After seven (7) years my oldest girl is only eight inches (8"). I like the bulkiness of these spiders. They are a rich charcoal grey with reddish pink hairs on the abdomen, hence the common name.

Temperament: This is a bold tarantula, but not aggressive as an adult. It very seldom uses a defensive pose, but would rather retreat than stand and fight. They are not skittish, and whenever I open the lid to their enclosure, they immediately start to walk out of their cage. Because of this behavior, I handle this tarantula more than any other and they rarely kick urticating hairs.

Comments: This is an aggressive eating T. They have never refused a meal unless near a molt. If you would like a huge tarantula that is easy to care for, and is hardy, this is the species for you. It is a good display spider also. I will recommend this species over the Theraphosa blondi any day. This is a must have species.

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