Mike's Basic Tarantula
A Basic Site for the Tarantula enthusiast
Psalmopoeus pulcher
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Common name: Panama Blonde
Indigenous: Panama
Habitat: Panama has a tropical climate. Temperatures are uniformly high—as is the relative humidity—and there is little seasonal variation. The early morning minimum may be 24 °C (75.2 °F) and the afternoon maximum 29 °C (84.2 °F). The temperature seldom exceeds 32 °C (89.6 °F). The rainy season is from late May to early December, while the dry season is from late December to early May.
Temp/humidity: I keep the temperature between 78°-82°F(25.5°27.8°C) and the humidity at 65%-75%. The substrate in the terrarium is kept more on the dry side and monthly I wet the substrate, than allow it to dry out completely.
Enclosure: This is an arboreal tarantula. As 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. When they get between three and four inches (7.76cm-10.16cm), I housed them in their permanent enclosures. They prefer a hollow vertical branch or cork to climb into. Their terrarium should be vertical. I have observed that, if their terrarium is decorated with plants, live or artificial, it will encourage the tarantula to venture out of its hide frequently.
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 to hold the moisture, coconut fiber and dirt for firmness, as the substrate).
Retreat/Hide: A ten inch (25.4cm) vertical barreled cork bark that I lean against the cage.
Food Consumption: I introduced one-forth inch (.635cm) baby crickets to the spiderlings. Now I give my Panama Blonde two (2) -one inch B. dubia roaches or four (4) adult crickets weekly.  For variety, I give my girl one (1) house gecko annually. 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.
Growth Rate: This is a medium growing tarantula. I bought her at one inch (2.54cm). The first year she attained a leg length of three inches (7.76cm).
Adult Size: I read that this tarantula can reach a leg length of six inches (15.24cm).  My girl is a relaxed five inches (12.7cm).
Temperament: Of the five different species of Psalmopoeus that I have raised, this is the most laid back species. It is not a defensive tarantula, and has never given me a threat pose.
Comments: When this species reaches about four inches (10.16cm), it tends to stay out more in the open and it is a nice display spider. I consider this as a beginner Arboreal. 
This New World species is a beautiful blonde with a black patch on the abdomen.