Pterinochilus murinus

NAME: Pterinochilus murinus
COMMON NAMES: Usumbara Orange Baboon, Mombasa Golden Starbust, OBT - "Orange Bitey Thing"
ORIGIN: Zaire, Kenya, and Tanzania.
ADULT SIZE: Up to 6"
TEMPERATURE: 70 to 85 degrees
HUMIDITY: 40 to 65%
TEMPERAMENT: Fast, aggresive, very defensive
TYPE: Terrestrial, burrower, opportunistic burrower, prolific webber
LIFESPAN: Up to 12 years
BREEDING DIFFICULTY: Easy
EGG SAC SIZE: 75 to 100

NOTES: This spider is very fast and aggressive and should NOT be handled. As an old world species, they lack urticating hairs and make up for this with more potent venom. While the bite will most likely not seriously affect health, it is extremely painful and the spider will not hesitate to do so. They are easily adaptable to most environments and, aside from temperment, are considered one of the easiest spiders to keep. Due to this ease of care, they are often considered the beginner's aggresive tarantula, and are seen as a stepping-stone into the keeping of some of the more difficult aggressive species.

Aphonopelma bicoloratum

NAME: Aphonopelma bicoloratum
COMMON NAMES: Mexican Bloodleg
ORIGIN: Mexico (Southern Pacific portion)
ADULT SIZE: 4 to 5 inches
TEMPERATURE: 75 to 80 degrees
HUMIDITY: 65% - 70%
TEMPERAMENT: Docile and calm
TYPE: Terrestrial
LIFESPAN: 20 years +
BREEDING DIFFICULTY:
EGG SAC SIZE: 400

NOTES: This is an incredibly slow-growing species and thought to be one of the longest-lived (as is true of all Aphonopelmas). They are generally very docile in captivity, though they can occasionally kick hairs. The mature size is relatively small, but lack of size is made up for in beauty. Upon maturity, males will lose the red markings and become solid black. Some keepers find this species can be prone to hunger strikes and can have sporadic feeding habits. They can be difficult to find and quite expensive, but are a wonderful beginner species and most consider them well worth the price.

Lasiodora parahybana

NAME: Lasiodora parahybana
COMMON NAMES: Salmon Pink Birdeater
ORIGIN: Brazil
ADULT SIZE: 10 to 11 inches
TEMPERATURE: 75 to 85 degrees
HUMIDITY: 65% - 75%
TEMPERAMENT: Active, semi-defensive
TYPE: Terrestrial
LIFESPAN: 10-15 years
BREEDING DIFFICULTY: Easy
EGG SAC SIZE: Up to 2000

NOTES: This species is the second or third largest tarantula there is, rivaling T. blondi in size. Due to their enormous size, rapid growth rate and active behavior they do best in a larger tank. They are poor climbers and should not be given too much height in their enclosure, but a variety of surfaces for basking will be taken advantage of as these spiders spend much of their time out and about and make wonderful display specimens. These spiders are slow moving and though some people consider them relatively handleable, they can be moody - kicking hairs more often than biting. However, with fangs up to an inch in size one must consider the mechanical damage a bite can inflict before deciding to handle this species.

Brachypelma emilia

NAME: Brachypelma emilia
COMMON NAMES: Mexican Redleg Tarantula
ORIGIN: Mexico
ADULT SIZE: 5 to 6 Inches
TEMPERATURE: 72 to 80 Degrees
HUMIDITY: 60% to 70%
TEMPERAMENT: Docile
TYPE: Terrestrial
LIFESPAN: Up to 25 years
BREEDING DIFFICULTY:
EGG SAC SIZE:

NOTES:
Mexican Redlegs are considered by many to be the most docile of all species in the Brachypelma genus. This, combined with a very long lifespan and attractive coloration, has made them very popular with tarantula enthusiasts. This popularity has led to their decline in the wild and they are now listed under Appendix 2 under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). Luckily, perfectly legal captive-bred Mexican Redknees are readily available so there is no need for the purchase of wild caught specimens.

Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens

NAME: Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens
COMMON NAMES: Green Bottle Blue (GBB), Orange Bottlebrush
ORIGIN: Venzuela
ADULT SIZE: About 5 inches
TEMPERATURE: 70 to 85 degrees
HUMIDITY: 60% - 70%
TEMPERAMENT: Inquisitive, semi-docile, nervous
TYPE: Terrestrial
LIFESPAN:
BREEDING DIFFICULTY:
EGG SAC SIZE:

NOTES: This spider is an avid webber, sometimes filling the entire container. It is most often skittish and easily startled, though it is usually inquisitive about disturbances and will frequently invesitgate goings-on with in its enclosure. This is a fast growing tarantula. It is said to be a resiliant spider that is easy to keep as they can tolerate a wider temperature range and lower humidity levels than most species from South America.

Cyriocosmus elegans

NAME: Cyriocosmus elegans
COMMON NAMES:Trinidad Dwarf
ORIGIN: Trinidad, Venezuela, Tobago
ADULT SIZE: 1.5 to 2 inches
TEMPERATURE: 75 to 85 degrees
HUMIDITY: 75% - 80%
TEMPERAMENT: Skittish
TYPE: Terrestrial (Burrowing)
LIFESPAN: About 7 years
BREEDING DIFFICULTY:
EGG SAC SIZE:

NOTES: This small spider reaches mature size very quickly, sometimes within a year. They will readily eat pre-killed pinheads and typically have a very good feeding response. They can make quite elaborate burrows. Caution should be taken with openings (ie. ventilation holes) in the enclosure, as they can impress you with their ability to escape through even the smallest of holes.

Megaphobema robustum

NAME: Megaphobema robustum
COMMON NAMES: Columbian Giant Tarantula, Columbian Redleg
ORIGIN: Columbia, Brazil
ADULT SIZE: 7 to 8 inches
TEMPERATURE: 75 to 80 degrees
HUMIDITY: 75% - 82%
TEMPERAMENT: Reclusive, easily annoyed
TYPE: Terrestrial (Burrowing)
LIFESPAN: Up to 20 years
BREEDING DIFFICULTY:
EGG SAC SIZE:

NOTES: These guys are known for their unusual defense behavior. They can kick hairs, and of course can bite, but they will also stretch out their back legs and bob up and down as a first defense. If that doesn't work, they will whip around in circles in an attempt to hit the "predator" with the spikes on their back legs. They are slow growers. M. robustum is shy and secretive, and spends most of its time in its burrow - the proverbial "pet hole".

Nhandu chromatus

NAME: Nhandu chromatus
COMMON NAMES: Brazilian Red and White
ORIGIN: Brazil to Paraguay
ADULT SIZE: 6 to 7 inches
TEMPERATURE: 75-80 degrees
HUMIDITY: 75% - 80%
TEMPERAMENT: Nervous, defensive
TYPE: Terrestrial
LIFESPAN: Up to 15 years
BREEDING DIFFICULTY:
EGG SAC SIZE:

NOTES: This tarantula is a generous hair-kicker. (Mine definitely lives up to this). The hairs are known to cause more irritation than those of other species. Usually digs a burrow to retreat to, but it does not often hide and typically makes a good display tarantula. (Of course, mine has proceeded to dig an incredibly deep burrow - the entrance to which is under a piece of cork bark. I most often see only the tips of her front legs. I'm hoping she outgrows this with age.)

Acanthoscurria geniculata

NAME: Acanthoscurria geniculata
COMMON NAMES: Giant Whiteknee, Whitebanded Tarantula
ORIGIN: Brazil
ADULT SIZE: 8 inches
TEMPERATURE: 75 to 85 degrees
HUMIDITY: 70% - 80%
TEMPERAMENT: Somewhat defensive, nervous
TYPE: Terrestrial
LIFESPAN: Up to 15 years
BREEDING DIFFICULTY:
EGG SAC SIZE:

NOTES: This spider is very fast growing and has a ravenous appetite. A. geniculata can burrow, but rarely does. They are moderately defensive and the hairs can be more irritating than those of most other species. (Mine may kick a little only occasionally, but usually just ducks for cover when disturbed.) As adults they often stand their ground when disturbed.

Pamphobeteus antinous

NAME: Pamphobeteus antinous
COMMON NAMES: Bolivian Blue Leg Birdeater, Steely Blue Leg
ORIGIN: Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Brazil
ADULT SIZE: About 9 inches
TEMPERATURE: 70 - 85 degrees
HUMIDITY: 70% - 80%
TEMPERAMENT: Shy, nervous
TYPE: Terrestrial
LIFESPAN: 10 to 15 years
BREEDING DIFFICULTY:
EGG SAC SIZE:

NOTES: They do not like too high of temperatures, and temps must remain consistent. They are a nervous spider, but more shy than aggresive. They may burrow as young spiderlings, but as adults are usually out and about on the hunt for food.

Cyclosternum fasciatum

NAME: Cyclosternum fasciatum
COMMON NAMES: Costa Rican Tiger Rump
ORIGIN: Costa Rica
ADULT SIZE: 4 inches
TEMPERATURE: 75 to 80 degrees
HUMIDITY: 60% - 70%
TEMPERAMENT: Semi-defensive, nervous
TYPE: Terrestrial
LIFESPAN: Up to 10 years
BREEDING DIFFICULTY:
EGG SAC SIZE:

NOTES: Beautiful, colorful spider with a red carapace and red and black striped markings on the abdomen. This species spends much time out in the open, though they may borrow occasionally. These guys can be moderate to heavy webbers.