Mike's Basic Tarantula
A Basic Site for the Tarantula enthusiast
Thrixopelma puriens
All rights reserved, ©
All photos on this website are courtesy of Mike Basic Tarantula unless stated otherwise. It's prohibited to copy without permission of author.

Common name: Peruvian Green Velvet
Indigenous: Chile
Habitat:The northern region is almost entirely desert and is one of the driest areas in the world. Temperatures, however, are moderated by the offshore presence of the cold Peru, or Humboldt, Current. The average temperatures at Antofagasta range from 18° to 23°C (64° to 74°F) in January and from 12° to 16°C (53° to 62°F) in July. In Santiago the average range is 12° to 29°C (54° to 85°F) in January and 3° to 15°C (38° to 58°F) in July.
Temp/humidity: 70°-85°F (21°-29°C) /60%-70% humidity; I keep this species temperature at around 80° (25.5°) and the humidity at 65-70%. I keep the substrate dry This species does fine with low humidity, but I keep a water dish in her enclosure, not for humidity but for hydration.
Enclosure: I use a spiderling vial that will allow at least three inches of substrate for burrowing and four inches as sub-adult-adult.
Substrate: I use three inches (7.62cm) of substrate in vial and four inches (10.16cm) in terrarium. (I use a mixture of peat moss, vermiculite, coconut fiber and dirt for firmness, as the substrate).
Retreat/Hide: Place a bark for a starter burrow hide This is a opportunistic burrower. When it reaches the  three inch mark (7.62cm), they tend to stay out in the open more than in their hide, which make them a good display tarantula
Food Consumption: I first fed her pen heads crickets, than when she reached 1/2" I introduced baby crickets. I give my adult Purivian Green Velvet, (1) medium B. dubia roaches or 1 (one) - adult crickets weekly. This species is a casual eater.
Water Requirements: I keep a water dish in the tank. I have never seen mine drink.
Growth Rate: The growth rate of this species is medium. I purchased my girls as spiderlings of 1/4" (0.635cm)in size. After the first year she had grown to one inch (1"). With constant feeding and with temperatures in the low to mid 80's, it can reach a size of three inches within three years.
Adult Size: This is a medium size tarantula with slinder legs. After ten (10) years it is a solid four inches (10.16cm)
Temperament: This is a docile species, but can be skittish. It is notorious for kicked hair at me but has never given a threat pose. This tarantula has a tendency of staying in one place for long periods of time.
Comments: This is a common looking dark chocolate spider with beige stripes on the knees. It is not a common species in the hobby. A collector's tarantula.