Mike's Basic Tarantula

A Basic Site for the Tarantula enthusiast

Trigmopoeus trucelentus

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Common name: Lesser Goa Mustard

Indigenous: Goa, India

Habitat: India’s hot and dry season reaches its most oppressive stage during May, when the warmest average max/ high temperatures is 41°C (106°F) in the northern plains. Temperatures in the southern peninsula are somewhat lower, averaging 35°C (95°F). At higher altitudes, as in the Western Ghats and the Himalayas, temperatures are considerably cooler. The relative humidity for an average year is recorded as 49.2% and on a monthly basis it ranges from 25% in April & May to 73% in August.

Goa is situated on the Malabar Coast and has sandy beaches and a tropical climate. Inland, Goa becomes hilly, stretching to part of the Western Ghats. About one-quarter of the state is covered by forest. The climate is generally warm, with average January temperatures ranging from 19° to 29° C (66° to 84° F), and average June temperatures ranging from 25° to 33° C (77° to 91° F). Goa experiences a monsoon season from June through September.

Temp/humidity: I keep mine at 78° to 82°F ( 25.5° to 27.8°C) and 65%-75% Humidity.

Enclosure: This is a obligate burrower, juvenile tend to burrow more than adults and should be given at least six inches (15.24cm) of substrate to burrow. Adults can be opportunistic burrowers.

Substrate: I use three inches of substrate in vial, deli cup  for spiderlings, and six inches (15.24cm) 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: This specie doesn't need a hide, it will make its own burrow. When I change the substrate, I start a two inch (5.08cm) hole for burrowing in the corner of the enclosure.

Food Consumption: I first fed fruit flies, than when she reached one-half inch, I introduced baby crickets. Now I give my Lesser Goa Mustard one - inch (2.54cm) B. dubia roaches or three adult crickets weekly.  This species is a good eater.

Water Requirements: I keep a water dish in the tank. I have never seen mine drink. I keep the substrate in the terrarium moist. Every month I allow it to dry out then I wet one half of the substrate.

Growth Rate: The growth rate of this species is medium. I purchased this tarantula as a spiderling of one-half inch; after the first year she had grown to three inch (7.62cm). With constant feeding and with temperatures in the low to 80's, it reached a size of four inches (10.16cm) within two years.

Adult Size: I read that they get five inches (12.7cm) leg length. Mine is four inches (10.16cm)

Temperament: Because of their defensive nature, they aren't the best species to handle. If approached they will usually go into a threat posture.

Comments: This is a beautiful tarantula. The color is chocolate with a hint of bronze.  You will very seldom see this species. I don't allow this species to gorge themselves; by doing so they stay at the mouth of their burrow waiting for prey. This allows me to see a natural behavior of stalking and get a glimpse of the tarantula. It is also a prolific webber and will web the entire enclosure if not given enough depth of substrate. This species is extremely fast and for the more advanced keeper.