Trinidad Chevron Tarantula
Psalmopoeus cambridgei
The Trinidad Chevron Tarantula (Psalmopoeus cambridgei) is a large, fast arboreal species native to Trinidad. Known for its olive-green coloration, orange leg markings, and chevron abdominal pattern, it requires high humidity and excellent ventilation.
Ambiente
Terrestre
Umidade
70 - 80 %
Temperatura diurna
24 - 28 °C
Temperatura noturna
22 - 25 °C
Descrição da espécie
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to the tropical rainforests of the island of Trinidad, where it primarily inhabits tree hollows, cavities, and thick foliage. It constructs thick tubular retreats made of silk and substrate (dirt curtains) to shelter from predators and environmental extremes.
Taxonomy and Genetics: A large and leggy tarantula, reaching a leg span of 15–18 cm. The base color is a velvety olive-green or greyish-green, with a distinctive dark chevron pattern on the abdomen and bright orange flashes on the tarsi of its legs.
Behavior and Habits: Highly active, fast, and defensive when disturbed. Lacking urticating hairs, it relies on its impressive speed to flee or its venomous bite to defend itself. When threatened, it readily displays a threat posture.
Morphology: Females are larger, heavier, and live significantly longer. Males are smaller, more slender, greyish in color, and have a short lifespan once they reach sexual maturity, developing tibial hooks and emboli for mating.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Terrarium Setup: A tall, vertically oriented terrarium (minimum 25x25x40 cm) is required. Provide a vertical hollow cork bark tube and robust live or artificial foliage. The substrate should consist of 8 cm of damp peat moss or coco coir, which the tarantula will incorporate into its webbing.
Lighting and Heating: Temperatures should be kept stable between 24°C and 28°C. A heating mat can be attached to the side of the enclosure if room temperature is low. Avoid bright lighting, as this species is nocturnal and photophobic.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain relative humidity between 70% and 85%. Excellent cross-ventilation is vital to prevent stagnant air, which can cause fatal bacterial or fungal infections in the book lungs. Provide a suspended water dish and mist the enclosure regularly.
Feeding and Supplementation: A voracious predator feeding on crickets, roaches, and locusts. Feed once or twice a week. Unfed prey must be removed from the enclosure, especially during the molting period, to prevent them from attacking the vulnerable spider.
Compatibility: Strictly solitary. Co-housing will result in cannibalism. Mating requires careful supervision, as the female can be highly aggressive towards the male and may kill him if she is not well-fed.
Health and Common Diseases: Book lung mycosis caused by stagnant, wet conditions is a primary concern. The spider should not be handled due to its speed and defensive nature; falls can cause abdominal rupture, which is fatal. Do not disturb the tarantula when it is molting.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
Native to the tropical rainforests of the island of Trinidad, where it primarily inhabits tree hollows, cavities, and thick foliage. It constructs thick tubular retreats made of silk and substrate (dirt curtains) to shelter from predators and environmental extremes.
Origem
América Central e Caribe
Perfil de invertebrados terrestres
- Dieta
- Carnivore
- Psalmopoeus cambridgei is an opportunistic ambush predator that thrives on a diet of appropriately sized live insects. Crickets, roaches, and mealworms make excellent staple feeders for this species. Prey should be gut-loaded and occasionally dusted with supplements to ensure optimal nutrition. It is important not to overfeed, as a highly distended abdomen can increase the risk of fatal injuries from falls. Remove any uneaten live prey after 24 hours to prevent them from stressing or injuring the spider.
- Tamanho adulto
- 17 cm
- Estilo de vida/Microhabitat
- Arboreal
- Psalmopoeus cambridgei is perfectly adapted to its specific ecological niche, requiring a setup that closely mimics its natural environment. Terrestrial species need deep, specialized substrate for burrowing, while arboreal species require vertical cork bark tubes and elevated hides. They are generally solitary creatures that should be housed individually to prevent predation. A proper water dish and an appropriate microclimate are essential components of their enclosure. They lead a sedentary lifestyle, meaning they do not require excessively large enclosures compared to active reptiles.
- Ciclo de atividades
- Nocturnal
- Like most tarantulas, Psalmopoeus cambridgei is primarily nocturnal, showing the highest levels of activity during the night. They generally remain hidden in their burrows or web tubes during daylight hours to avoid heat and predators. Once the lights go out, they often emerge to sit at the entrance of their hide, waiting to ambush passing prey. Despite being mostly inactive during the day, they may occasionally venture out for water or to adjust their webbing. Maintaining a natural photoperiod is recommended to support this internal circadian rhythm.
- Socialidade
- Solitary
- It is a strictly solitary and cannibalistic species. Specimens must never be housed together under any circumstances, as they will aggressively predate upon one another. The only exception is for breeding purposes, which requires extreme caution and constant supervision to prevent the female from eating the male.
- Reprodução
- Oviparous
- Breeding Psalmopoeus cambridgei requires careful introduction of the mature male to the female's enclosure to minimize the risk of cannibalism. The male will drum on the substrate to announce his presence and gauge the female's receptivity. After a successful mating, the female will construct an egg sac containing hundreds of eggs. She will guard this sac fiercely for several weeks until the spiderlings emerge. Providing optimal temperature and humidity during this incubation period is critical for the success of the clutch.
- Venenoso
- Yes
- Tolerância de tratamento
- Expert only
- Handling Psalmopoeus cambridgei is generally discouraged by experienced keepers, as it provides no benefit to the spider and introduces significant risks. A fall from even a minor height can rupture their delicate abdomen, resulting in fatal injury. Additionally, they can deliver a painful bite or release irritating urticating hairs if they become stressed or defensive. If they must be moved for enclosure maintenance, the "catch cup" method is the safest and most stress-free approach. Always prioritize the safety and well-being of the animal over the desire to interact physically.
- Brumação
- Não obrigatório
- Tarantulas like Psalmopoeus cambridgei do not undergo true brumation, but their metabolism may slow down considerably if exposed to cooler winter temperatures. In captivity, it is best to maintain a stable, warm temperature year-round to ensure healthy growth and digestion. If temperatures do drop slightly, you may notice a decrease in appetite and activity levels. Never allow the enclosure to reach freezing temperatures, as this will quickly prove fatal. Heating should always be provided via a thermostat-controlled heat mat applied to the side, never the bottom, of the tank.
- Muda
- Periodic
- Molting is a critical and vulnerable process for Psalmopoeus cambridgei, allowing it to grow and regenerate lost appendages. Before molting, they often refuse food for weeks, become sluggish, and may spin a molting mat of webbing. They will typically flip onto their back to shed their old exoskeleton—never mistake a spider in this position for a dead one. It is crucial to maintain adequate humidity during this time and strictly avoid feeding them until their fangs have fully hardened. Disturbing a tarantula mid-molt can be fatal, so they must be left completely alone.
Espécies relacionadas
Recomendações agrupadas por parentes próximos, escolhas de acompanhantes e cuidados semelhantes.
