Mike's Basic Tarantula

A Basic Site for the Tarantula enthusiast

Megaphobema robustum

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Common name: Colombian Giant Redleg

Indigenous: Colombia

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: 76°84°F (24.4°-28.9°c)/70-85% humidity

Enclosure: Adults should be given a large terrarium. I use a ten Gallon aquarium. I have found that, if you simulate their natural environment by decorating the cage with foliage, they tend to stay out and wonder more. But make sure the plants you use have no pesticide on it.

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: For a juvenile or an adult, I Place a bark for a starter burrow hide.

Food Consumption: I fed the spiderlings 1/8" (.30mm) baby crickets. My sub-adult Colombian Giant Redled, I give one (1) adults B. dubia roaches or five (5) adult crickets weekly. This species is a excellent eater, and devour its prey. I also give her one pinkie-mouse or a house gecko once a year for variety.

Water Requirements: I keep a large water dish in her cage, even though after six years, I have never seen mine drink. I also dampen one-half of the substrate in the terrarium by overflowing the water dish, but I never allow the substrate 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 three inches in a year.

Adult Size: I read that this species may attain a leg length of eight (8) inches (20.32cm) My girl is only six inches (15.24cm)

Temperament: This is a shy tarantula, especially as a juvenile, but once it reach the five inch mark they become less skittish and the abdomen will become less bald because of hair kicking. It is not what I consider as an aggressive or defensive tarantula. It may use a defensive pose, by raising its abdomen, but would rather beat a retreat than stand and fight.

Comments: This is a reclusive yet aggressive eating T. They have never refused a meal unless near a molt. A must have to your collection. The legs are brick red, the carapace is black and the abdomen is black and covered with reddish-orange hairs. Beauty coupled with size, would makes this tarantula one of the better display species, whenever it is out. This tarantula is worth the wait for adulthood. I don't disturb nor handle this species. Once this spider has been moved into its permanent home, you shouldn't move it, because this tarantula does not adapt to a new environment well.