Mike's Basic Tarantula

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Psalmopoeus irminias

Common name: Venezuelan Suntiger

Indigenous: Venezuela

Habitat: The climate of Venezuela is tropical on the Llanos and along the coast and temperate in the mountainous regions. The average daily temperature range in January is 15° to 26°C (59° to 78°F) in Caracas and 23° to 32°C (73° to 90°F) in Maracaibo; in July the range is 17° to 26°C (63° to 80°F) in Caracas and 24° to 34°C (76° to 94°F) in Maracaibo. Most precipitation falls from May through November, with the northern mountain slopes receiving less rain than those on the south.

Temp/humidity: I keep the temperature between 78°-82°F and the humidity at 65%-75%. The substrate in the terrarium is kept dry; I mist once a week and monthly I moist the substrate, then allow it to dry out completely.

Enclosure: This is a arboreal tarantula. As spiderling or juvenile, I put a twig in  the vial so it may climb. When they get between three and four inches (7.62-10.16cm), I housed them in their permanent enclosures. They should be given a vertical branch or cork to climb upon. Their enclosure should be taller than longer. I use a round, vertical, critter cage for their terrarium.

Substrate: one inch (2.54cm) of substrate in vial, deli cup  for spiderlings, and two inches (5.08cm) 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: A ten inch (24.5cm) vertical bark leaned against the cage .

Food Consumption: I introduced one-forth inch (0.635cm) baby crickets to the spiderlings. Now I give my Venezuelan Suntiger two (2) -one inch B. dubia roaches or seven (7) adult crickets weekly.  This species is a excellent eater. For variety, I give my girl one (1) house gecko every six (6) months.

Water Requirements: I glued a small container for water to the bark and mist.

Growth Rate: This is a fast growing tarantula. I bought her at one inch (2.54cm). The first year she attained a leg length of three inches (7.62cm).

Adult Size: I read that this tarantula can reach a leg length of six (15.24cm) inches.

Temperament: This is a very fast moving spider. It is what I would consider a defensive tarantula, and will bite if provoked. I own five different species in the Psalmopoeus Genus and this is the most defensive of them all. This species is more defensive than any Poecilotheria species I own (14).

Comments: This tarantula sports a beautiful black coat with a tiger striped abdomen. On the lower part of each leg is a orange lightening bolt, making this a handsome tarantula. This is a hardy and easy T to care for, but because of its speed, and defensiveness I would recommend any Poecilotheria species before you purchase one of these. What the Heteroscodra maculata is for old world arboreals the Venezuela Sun Tiger is for New World arboreals. This species is not recommended as a beginner tarantula. It is also a prolific webber too.

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