Mike's Basic Tarantula

A Basic Site for the Tarantula enthusiast

Psalmopoeus reduncus

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Common name: Costa Rican Orangemouth

Indigenous: Costa Rica

Habitat: Because Costa Rica is located between 8 and 12 degrees north of the Equator, the climate is tropical year round. Costa Rica's seasons are defined by how much rain falls during a particular period. The year can be split into two periods, the dry season known to the residents as summer, and the rainy season, known locally as winter. The "summer" or dry season goes from December to April, and "winter" or rainy season goes from May to November.

The air is driest around March 21, at which time the relative humidity drops below 37%; it is most humid around October 16, exceeding 96%. Humidity is also higher on the Caribbean side than on the Pacific side. The mean annual temperature on the coastal lowlands is around 27 °C (81 °F), 20 °C (68 °F) and below 10 °C (50 °F) on the summits of the highest mountains.

Temp/humidity: I keep the temperature between 76°-82°F(24.4°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, a 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 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 periodically.

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: Place a ten inch (25.4cm) vertical barreled bark leaned against the cage.

Food Consumption: I introduced one-forth inch (.635cm) baby crickets to the spiderlings. Now I give my Costa Rican Orange Mouth one (1) -one inch B. dubia roaches or three (3) adult crickets weekly. For variety, I give my girl one (1) house gecko  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 attain 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: This can be a fast moving spider if startled. It is not what I would consider a defensive tarantula, but will probably bite if provoked. It has given me a threat pose, but would rather flee than fight.

Comments: This is a seclude species and is rarely visible. If not given the proper hide, it will web up its enclosure, but this process take a while and it will hover up in a corner of the cage. It will eventually web a hammock, settle in and become more visible, but the process looks stressful on the spider. The common name of this tarantula is derived from the orange hairs around the mouth.