Mike's Basic Tarantula

A Basic Site for the Tarantula enthusiast

Psalmopoeus cambrigei

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Common name: Trinidad Chevron

Indigenous: Trinidad

Habitat: Trinidad is well within the tropics, and enjoys a generally pleasant maritime tropical climate influenced by the northeast trade winds. In Trinidad the annual mean temperature is 26 °C (78.8 °F), and the average maximum temperature is 34 °C (93.2 °F). The humidity is high, particularly during the rainy season, when it averages 85%. The rainy season is in the months of June through December, when brief, intense showers frequently occur. During the dry season, drought plagues the island's central interior.

Temp/humidity: I keep the temperature between 78°-82°F and the humidity at 70%-80%. The substrate in the terrarium is kept moist, then I allow it to dry out completely then I wet the substrate completely by overflowing the water dish.

Enclosure: This is an arboreal tarantula. As a spiderling or juvenile, I put a twig in the vial so it may climb , but they normally spend most of the time webbed in at the base of the twigs as though it is a terrestrial species. When they get between three and four inches (7.76cm-10.16cm), I housed them in their permanent enclosures. They should be given a hollow vertical branch or cork to climb into. Their enclosure should be vertical. I have observed that, if the terrarium is decorated with plants, live or artificial, it will encourage the tarantula to venture out of its hide on a regular basis.

Substrate: Use one inch (2.54cm) of substrate in vial, deli cup for spiderlings, and two inches (5.06cm) 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: I use a ten inch (25.4cm) vertical barreled cork bark and lean it against the cage .

Food Consumption: I introduced one-forth inch (.635cm) baby crickets to the spiderlings. I give my Trinidad Chevron two (2) -one inch B. dubia roaches or five (5) adult crickets weekly. This species is a good eater. For variety, I give my girl one (1) house gecko every six (6) months. It appears that from the strategy it uses to catch a lizard, in the wild, lizards are a normal part of their diet.

Water Requirements: I glued a small bottle cap to the bark that is leaning against the cage for water and I also mist periodically.

Growth Rate: This is a fast growing tarantula. I bought her at one inch (2.54cm). The first year she attained a leg over length of three inches (7.76cm)

Adult Size: I read that this tarantula can reach a leg length of seven inches (17.78cm). My girl is a relaxed seven inches (17.78cm).

Temperament: This can be a very fast moving spider if startled. This is not what I would consider a defensive tarantula, but will probably bite if provoked. It has never given me a threat pose.

Comments: When this species reaches about five inches (15.24cm), it tends to stay out more in the open. This is an intermediate species between the Avicularia and the Poecilotheria Genus This specie will give you an experience with a large fast moving arboreal without the potent toxin.

This New World species is a beautiful olive green appearance with striking markings on the legs.