Thursday, March 31, 2011

Avicularia Tarantula Caresheet

The Avicularia genus itself is the most widespread group of spiders in the Americas and contains about 20 species. This genus was also the very first of the tarantulas to be described by science. This tarantulas are excellent hoppers and have a beautiful coloration from spiderling until adulthood.  Most avics have the same caresheets since they are all arboreal and needs a higher humidity.
  
Avicularia avicularia Caresheet


This is a common, beautiful and a jumpy tarantula. It is a good beginner tarantula since it has a docile temperament. Native to tropical South America: Brazil, Trinidad, Guyana, French Guyana, Surinam, Venezuela, and the Amazon Basin, and therefore require high humidity. The coloration changes as it grows to adult, from dark blue to bluish with reddish coloration at the abdomen. When full grown, the toes become pinkish color where it got its name. A must have tarantula due to its beautiful color and perfect for display.

Common name: pinktoe
Class: Arboreal
Temp/humidity: temperature must be 75 to 85° F. 78 to 82% of humidity. Higher humidity and good ventilation is a must.
 Housing: spiderlings can be kept on small tall plastic containers since this tarantulas loves creating their web bed on tall trees. Adults can be kept to 10 to 30 gallon tank provided with hides and water dish. This is the type of tarantula that can be kept communally in  a large terrarium or enclosure, make sure you provide lots of hides for individual tarantulas. Add some branches or live plants. Height is more important than floor space for this type of species.
Substrate: 3 inches of substrate. On my enclosure I use a mix of coconut fiber/coco peat, vermiculate and peat moss.
Feeding: spiderslings eat pinhead crickets and small insects. Adults eat roaches and other flying insects.
Water requirements: For spider slings, misting the enclosure 2 times a week is enough. For adult, provide a water dish and misting the enclosure ones a week.
Growth: Medium speed
Size: 4 to 4.5 inches when full grown.
Temperament: are very docile, a little bit nervous and jumpy, 


Avicularia braunshaunseni Caresheet


This is the largest among the avics and resembles the avicularia avicularia specie.

Common name: Goliath Pink Toe 
Class: Arboreal
Temp/humidity 80-84°F, 70-75% Humidityy
Housing: spiderlings can be kept on small tall plastic containers since this tarantulas loves creating their web bed on tall trees. For adults, add some branches or live plants on the enclosure. A 15 gallon tank is enough to provide housing for it. Height is more important than floor space for this type of species.
Substrate: 3 inches of substrate. On my enclosure I use a mix of coconut fiber/coco peat, vermiculate and peat moss.
Feeding: spiderslings eat pinhead crickets and small insects. Adults eat roaches and other flying insects.
Water requirements: For spider slings, misting the enclosure 2 times a week is enough. For adult, provide a water dish and misting the enclosure ones a week.
Growth: Medium speed
Size: 15 to 18cm when full grown
Temperament: Generally calm and docile. A speedy and jumpy tarantula


Avicularia huriana Caresheets


One of the more easily distinguishable Avicularia species and one of the easiest to maintain in captivity.

Common name: Ecuador Pink Toe 
Class: Arboreal
Housing: spiderlings can be kept on small tall plastic containers since this tarantulas loves creating their web bed on tall trees. For adults, add some branches or live plants on the enclosure. A 15 gallon tank is enough to provide housing for it. Height is more important than floor space for this type of species.
Substrate: 3 inches of substrate. On my enclosure I use a mix of coconut fiber/coco peat, vermiculate and peat moss.
Feeding: spiderslings eat pinhead crickets and small insects. Adults eat roaches and other flying insects.
Water requirements: For spider slings, misting the enclosure 2 times a week is enough. For adult, provide a water dish and misting the enclosure ones a week.
Growth: Medium speed
Size: 5 to 6 inches when full grown
Temperament: Generally calm and docile.


Avicularia metallica Careheet


It is similar to the common pink toe and good for beginners due to its docile attitude. It has a nice metallic blue color in the abdomen.

Common name: whitetoe
Class: Arboreal
Temp/humidity23.9 to 29.4° C (75 to 85° F), 78 to 82% of humidity. Higher humidity and good ventilation is a must.
Housing: spiderlings can be kept on small tall plastic containers since this tarantulas loves creating their web bed on tall trees. For adults, add some branches or live plants on the enclosure. A 10 gallon tank is enough to provide housing for it. Height is more important than floor space for this type of species.
Substrate: 3 inches of substrate. On my enclosure I use a mix of coconut fiber/coco peat, vermiculate and peat moss.
Feeding: spiderslings eat pinhead crickets and small insects. Adults eat roaches and other flying insects.
Water requirements: For spider slings, misting the enclosure 2 times a week is enough. For adult, provide a water dish and misting the enclosure ones a week.
Growth: Medium speed
Size: 13 to 15 cm at maturity
Temperament: Docile and fast jumper


Avicularia minatrix 


 It is a rare species of the genus avicularia and one of the most beautiful avics.

Common name: Red Stripe Pink Toe 
Temp/humidity23.9 to 29.4° C (75 to 85° F), 78 to 82% of humidity. Higher humidity and good ventilation is a must.
Housing: spiderlings can be kept on small tall plastic containers since this tarantulas loves creating their web bed on tall trees. For adults, add some branches or live plants on the enclosure. A 10 gallon tank is enough to provide housing for it. Height is more important than floor space for this type of species.
Substrate: 3 inches of substrate. On my enclosure I use a mix of coconut fiber/coco peat, vermiculate and peat moss.
Feeding: spiderslings eat pinhead crickets and small insects. Adults eat roaches and other flying insects.
Water requirements: For spider slings, misting the enclosure 2 times a week is enough. For adult, provide a water dish and misting the enclosure ones a week.
Growth: Medium speed
Size: 4 to 5 inches
Temperament: Generally calm and docile

Avicularia Versicolor Caresheet


Said to be the most beautiful spider in the hobby, The body is covered in hairs ranging from reds to blues and purples. This is a good display tarantula and a bit expensive.
  
Common name: Antilles Pinktoe 
Class: Aboreal
Temp/humidity:   75 to 80° F for the temperature. A Humidity level of 75 to 85% is fine.
Housing: spiderlings can be kept on small tall plastic containers since this tarantulas loves creating their web bed on tall trees. For adults, add some branches or live plants on the enclosure. A 10 gallon tank is enough to provide housing for it. Height is more important than floor space for this type of species.
Substrate: 3 inches of substrate. On my enclosure I use a mix of coconut fiber/coco peat, vermiculate and peat moss.
Feeding: spiderslings eat pinhead crickets and small insects. Adults eat roaches and other flying insects.
Water requirements: For spider slings, misting the enclosure 2 times a week is enough. For adult, provide a water dish and misting the enclosure ones a week.
Water requirements:
Growth: it has a medium growth rate
Size: 4.5 to 5.5 Inches
Temperament: Skittish ,Docile and nervous.This species flicks urticating hairs.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Aphonopelma Specie Caresheet

Aphonopelma species are group of tarantulas native to America. More than 50 species, all currently in the genus Aphonopelma, have been described from North America north of Mexico.  Most of this species are large and, like other New World tarantulas, they have urticating hairs. Most are docile in captivity. Below are the following caresheets .
  
Aphonopelma seemanni Caresheet


This is one of my favorite tarantula due to its beautiful color and large size. The color of this species is a brownish to almost blue. It has stripes on the patellae can vary between beige to almost white. It is one of the beginner tarantula.

Common name: Costa Rican zebra 
Class: terrestrial
Temp/humidity: 75-80F /  70-75%
Housing: Floor space is more important than height
Substrate: four inches of substrate. On my enclosure I use a mix of coconut fiber/coco peat, vermaculate and peat moss.
Feeding: A.seemanni are lazy eaters but when they do eat, they like crickets, roaches, and maggots. for spider slings, feed them with pinhead crickets or roach nymphs smaller that their size 2 times a week.. Fruit flies is also good if available. For adults, feed them 5 adult crickets or 3 pieces of 1 inch size B.lateralis roaches weekly.
Water requirements: For spider slings, misting the enclosure 2 times a week is enough. For adult, provide a water dish and misting the enclosure ones a week.
Growth: medium
Size: 5 to 6 inches
Temperament: Docile but nervous. This spider is very skittish and will readily kick urticating hairs.


Aphonopelma hentzi  caresheet

This specie is one of the best beginner tarantula and easy to care for. It has a brassy brown coloration in the carapace that making it a beautiful specie.

Common name: Texas brown 
Class: Terrestrial
Temp/humidity70-85 degrees/55%-70%  humidity.
Housing: Floor space is more important than height, a deep substrate should be provided for burrowing.
Substrate: four inches of substrate. On my enclosure I use a mix of coconut fiber/coco peat, vermaculate and peat moss.
Feeding: Give two (2) one-half inch B. dubia roaches or  adult crickets weekly for adult A.hentzi. For spiderlings feed them with pinhead crickets This specie is a good eater. 
Water requirements: For spider slings, misting the enclosure 2 times a week is enough. For adult, provide a water dish and misting the enclosure ones a week.
Growth: The growth rate of this specie is slow
Size: 4 to 5 inches
Temperament: This is a docile specie. 


Aphonopelma bicoloratum Caresheet


These tarantulas are docile, and they don't flick urticating hairs very often. Mexican Bloodleg Tarantulas are also one of the longest lived tarantula species, this species are very rare in the market and its very pricy.

Common name: Mexican bloodleg 
Class: Terrestrial
Temp/humidity75 to 80° F / Low 60 to 70%
Housing: Floor space is more important than height, a deep substrate should be provided for burrowing.
Substrate: four inches of substrate. On my enclosure I use a mix of coconut fiber/coco peat, vermaculate and peat moss.
Feeding: Spiderlings will eat pinhead crickets, and other small insects. Adults will eat crickets, and other large insects
Water requirements: For spider slings, misting the enclosure 2 times a week is enough. For adult, provide a water dish and misting the enclosure ones a week.
Growth: A slow growing tarantula
Size: 3.5 to 5 Inches
Temperament: Docile and Calm but will occasionally kick urticating hairs

  
Aphonopelma Chalcodes Caresheet


This specie is a desert tarantula and often resides in desert soil. They use to dig in burrows and doesn’t need too much water to survive.

Common name: Mexican Blonde 
Class: Terrestrial
Temp/humidity72°F-85°F Humidity: Moderate/High
Housing: Floor space is more important than height, a deep substrate should be provided for burrowing.
Substrate: Peat moss, coco fiber or a mixer of peat moss, vermiculite. Kept on the damp side.
Provide 4″-12″ of substrate packed down for burrowers.
Feeding: : Spiderlings will eat pinhead crickets, and other small insects. Adults will eat crickets, and other large insects
Water requirements: always keep an open water dish, full of water in your tarantulas enclosure at all times. This keeps them hydrated and helps keep humidity up! For slings, keep substrate moist. 
Growth: the growth rate of this specie is slow
Size: 6 to 7 inches
Temperament: a calm and docile tarantula


Aphonopelma caniceps Caresheet


 This specie has a black in colour with a metallic gold carapace. A good display tarantula nd easy to care for.

Common name: Mexican Orange Rump / Mexican black velvet
Class: Terrestrial
Temp/humidity: : 72°F-85°F Humidity: Moderate/High
Housing: Floor space is more important than height, a deep substrate should be provided for burrowing.
Substrate: four inches of dry substrate. On my enclosure I use a mix of coconut fiber/coco peat, vermaculate and peat moss.
Feeding: feed an adult twice a week. Uneaten prey should be removed after one day to prevent problems and attracting mites. 
Water requirements: For spider slings, misting the enclosure 2 times a week is enough. For adult, provide a water dish and misting the enclosure ones a week.
Growth: the growth rate of this specie is slow
Size: 5 to 6 inches in size
Temperament: a calm and docile tarantula. This are best for novice keepers.


Aphonopelma chacoana Caresheet


Aphonopelma chacoana is a native of Bolivia and Argentina. It is a large size spider with with a beautiful red coloration on the abdomen and with charcoal grey on the legs and carapace. A good display tarantula.
  
Common name: Bolivian Red Rump 
Class: terrestrial
Temp/humidity: 70-80 degrees/65-75% humidity
Housing: Floor space is more important than height, a deep substrate should be provided for burrowing.
Substrate: four inches of dry substrate. On my enclosure I use a mix of coconut fiber/coco peat, vermaculate and peat moss.
Feeding: feed an adult twice a week. Uneaten prey should be removed after one day to prevent problems and attracting mites
Water requirements: For spider slings, misting the enclosure 2 times a week is enough. For adult, provide a water dish and misting the enclosure ones a week.
Growth: the growth rate is fast.
Size: 7 - 8  inches
Temperament: This is a rather bold tarantula and not a skittish


Aphonopelma clarki Caresheet


This specie is a good choice for beginners and easy to care for. It has a tan carapace, the abdomen and legs are a even chocolate brown in color, which make it a good display and attractive specie.

Common name: Fort Worth brown 
Class: Terrestrial
Temp/humidity: 70-85 degrees/55%-70% humidity
Housing: Floor space is more important than height, a deep substrate should be provided for burrowing. Place a bark for a starter burrow hide 
Substrate: four inches of dry substrate. On my enclosure I use a mix of coconut fiber/coco peat, vermaculate and peat moss.
Feeding: feed an adult twice a week. Uneaten prey should be removed after one day to prevent problems and attracting mites
Water requirements: For spider slings, misting the enclosure 2 times a week is enough. For adult, provide a water dish and misting the enclosure ones a week.
Growth: The growth rate of this specie is slow.
Size: 5 inches
Temperament: This is a docile specie.


Aphonopelma moderatum Caresheet


This is a longlive type of tarantula and takes time to reach adulthood but this is one of the gorgeous Aphonopelma species when it is full grown.

Common name: Rio Grande gold tarantula 
Class: terrestrial
Temp/humidity75 to 80°F / 60 - 70% humidity.
Housing: Floor space is more important than height, a deep substrate should be provided for burrowing.
Substrate: four inches of dry substrate. On my enclosure I use a mix of coconut fiber/coco peat, vermaculate and peat moss.
Feeding: feed an adult twice a week. Uneaten prey should be removed after one day to prevent problems and attracting mites
Water requirements: For spider slings, misting the enclosure 2 times a week is enough. For adult, provide a water dish and misting the enclosure ones a week.
Growth: A slow growing specie
Size: 4.5 to 5 inches
Temperament: nonaggressive type of tarantula

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Acanthoscurria Specie Caresheets



Acanthoscurria  is a genus containing over 35 species. A large and wide ranging genus found throughout South America. 


Acanthoscurria antillensis Caresheet:


Common name: Antilles Pink Patch Tarantula
Class: Terrestrial
Temp/humidity: 76-85 degrees/65%-75%  humidity
Housing: Rule: Floor space is more important than height, a deep substrate should be provided for burrowing. A good retreat is required. Place a bark on the enclosure for starter burrower
Substrate: Use six inches of substrate. On my enclosure I use a mix of coconut fiber/coco peat, vermaculate and peat moss.
Feeding: for spider slings, feed them with pinhead crickets or roach nymphs smaller that their size 2 times a week.. Fruit flies is also good if available. For adults, feed them 5 adult crickets or 3 pieces of 1 inch size B.lateralis roaches weekly.
Water requirements: for spider slings, misting the enclosure 2 times a week is enough. For adult, provide a water dish and misting the enclosure ones a week.
Growth: this tarantulas are slow grower and may take 5 years to attain maturity.
Size: adult size is 5 inches and for females may take upto 5.5 to 6 inches.
Temperament: Skittish and slightly aggressive



Acanthoscurria brocklehursti Caresheet:


Is a very large species of spider known to reach leg span's of up to 7-9 inches. It is a terrestrial species that can be found in the forests of South America but predominantly Brazil.  It is sometimes mistaken for the brazillian whiteknee (Acanthoscurria geniculata) but there is a difference between the two. Acanthoscurria brocklehursti have narrower banding on the legs than Acanthoscurria geniculata and are darker in color as well.

Common name: Brazilian black and white tarantula
Class: terrestrial
Temp/humidity70-82 degrees/65-75% humidity
Housing: Rule: Floor space is more important than height, a deep substrate should be provided for burrowing. A good retreat is required. Place a bark on the enclosure for starter burrower
Substrate: A deep substrate of between 2-4 inches
Feeding: For spider slings, feed them with pinhead crickets or roach nymphs smaller that their size 2 times a week.. Fruit flies is also good if available. For adults, feed them 10 adult crickets or 5 pieces of 1 inch size B.lateralis roaches weekly. This tarantulas are very energetic when attacking its prey
Water requirements: For spider slings, misting the enclosure 2 times a week is enough. For adult, provide a water dish and misting the enclosure ones a week.
Growth: Growth rate for this specie is medium-fast
Size: 7-9 inches
Temperament:  Tends to be nervous and will readily flick hairs. Aggressive. Not recommended for beginners.

  
Acanthoscurria chacoana Caresheet:



Common name: Bolivian Red Rump / Bolivian Pink
Class: Terrestrail
Temp/humidity70-80 degrees/65-75% humidity
Housing: Rule: Floor space is more important than height, a deep substrate should be provided for burrowing. A good retreat is required. Place a bark on the enclosure for starter burrower
Substrate: four inches of substrate. On my enclosure I use a mix of coconut fiber/coco peat, vermaculate and peat moss.
Feeding: For spider slings, feed them with pinhead crickets or roach nymphs smaller that their size 2 times a week.. Fruit flies is also good if available. For adults, feed them 10 adult crickets or 5 pieces of 1 inch size B.lateralis roaches weekly. This tarantulas are very energetic when attacking its prey
Water requirements: For spider slings, misting the enclosure 2 times a week is enough. For adult, provide a water dish and misting the enclosure ones a week.
Growth: The growth rate for this specie is fast. Enough heating and feeding it can attain a leg length of 4 to 5 inches in the first year.
Size: 6-7 inches
Temperament: Skittish and semi aggressive



Acanthoscurria genticulata Caresheet


 This tarantula is a very interesting to add in your collection. It is a large beautiful terrestrial tarantula good for display. When threatened it will not bite but it will flick stinging  urticating hairs for using as a defense.

Common name: Brazilian Whiteknee Tarantula
Class: Terrestrial
Temp/humidity: : 70-80 degrees/65-75% humidity
Housing: Same as the Acanthoscurria chacoana 
Substrate: 3 to 4 inches of peat moss, or potting soil.
Feeding: Same as the Acanthoscurria chacoana 
Water requirements: Same as the Acanthoscurria chacoana 
Growth: The growth rate for this specie is fast.
Size: 7 to 8 inches.
Temperament: Semi-aggressive and nervous.


Acanthoscurria insubtilis Caresheet


These tarantula will make good first time pets as they are active but not defensive. They do like to dig, but will adopt a substitute burrow.  It is a good display tarantula due to its chocolate brown color and easy to care.

Common name: Bolivian White Knee / Mousy Brown Tarantula
Class: Terrestrial
Temp/humidity75 to 80 degrees/ 60 to 70 percent
Housing: Same as the Acanthoscurria antillensis
Substrate: cover the bottom of the enclosure with 5-6 inches of substrate
Feeding: offering food every 4-7 days for young spiders and every 10-14 for larger specimens is a reasonable regimen.
Water requirements: Same as the Acanthoscurria antillensis
Growth: The growth rate for this specie is fast.
Size: 4.5 to 5 inches
Temperament: this little creatures are defensive type and will flick hairs.
  

Acanthosurria natalensis Caresheet


Common name: Natal Brown Birdeater 
Class: terestrial
Temp/humidity: 70-82 degrees/65-75% humidity
Housing: : Same as the Acanthoscurria antillensis
Substrate:  cover the bottom of the enclosure with 5-6 inches of substrate
Feeding: : Same as the Acanthoscurria antillensis
Water requirements: : Same as the Acanthoscurria antillensis
Growth: The growth rate for this specie is medium to fast
Size: up to 5-6 inches
Temperament: not a defensive tarantula and would rather retreat to the hide than stand and fight.
  
Acanthoscurria sternalis Caresheet

This species is native to Argentina. A rare must have addition to your collection; dark brown-black with faint beige stripes at the knee  after a fresh molt.

Common name: Argentina Black Rump 
Class: terrestrial
Temp/humidity: 76-85 degrees/65-75% humidity
Housing: Same as the Acanthoscurria chacoana 
Substrate: Same as the Acanthoscurria chacoana 
Feeding: Same as the Acanthoscurria chacoana 
Water requirements: Same as the Acanthoscurria chacoana 
Growth: growth rate for this specie is medium to fast
Size: Up to 18-20cm with very long legs
Temperament: an aggressive type of tarantula that flicks urticating hair and will also project excrement.
  
Acanthoscurria fracta Caresheet

This tarantula produces fascinating colour patterns on its legs. It is a large, heavy bodied terrestrial species from Brazil that will grow to about 20cm.

Common name: Para Mongo zebra 
Class: terrestrial
Temp/humidity24-28°C (75.2-82.4°F) / 75% humidity
Housing: Same as the Acanthoscurria chacoana 
Substrate: Same as the Acanthoscurria chacoana 
Feeding: Same as the Acanthoscurria chacoana 
Water requirements: Same as the Acanthoscurria chacoana 

Growth: a very fast growing tarantula
Size: Up to 20cm
Temperament: aggressive type