Author: Critter Corner Staff

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Tarantula Care Guides

Psalmopoeinae Care

Common genera: Tapinauchenius, Psalmopoeus, Pseudoclamoris, Amazonius, Ephebopus

Enclosure size for adults (see Sling Guide for sling enclosure guidelines): Generally an 8×8×12” (20×20×30cm) is good for most species; a good guide is 2x legspan in width and length and 3x legspan in height from substrate to top.

Enclosure setup (décor, substrate, etc.): Especially as slings and juveniles, these species tend to burrow quite a bit, although they are also considered arboreal. They will often make “dirt curtains” behind bark as a place to hide. As adults they should have substrate around as deep as their leg span. They should have a cork round or flat spanning the height of the enclosure so they can web up under/inside/behind it. Live/artificial plants, other wood pieces, and more bark should be added as anchor points. Things like leaf litter and moss are good additions for webbing materials.

Humidity/moisture: They tend to prefer a more moist environment although they generally aren’t too particular, as long as there is enough ventilation.

Species/Genera Specific:

Ephebopus spp. (E. murinus, E. cyanognathus, E. uatuman, E. rufescens) – These species tend to be more fossorial and will appreciate an enclosure with more substrate depth.

References:

Tarantula Collective – Venezuelan Suntiger (Psalmopoeus irminia)

Tom’s Big Spiders – Psalmopoeus irminia Husbandry Notes

Keeping Exotic Pets – Orange Tree Spider (Pseudoclamoris gigas) Care Sheet

Keeping Exotic Pets – Tapinauchenius violaceus (Purple Tree Spider) Tarantula Care Sheet

Keeping Exotic Pets – Psalmopoeus reduncus (Costa Rican Orange Mouth) Tarantula Care Sheet

Keeping Exotic Pets – Psalmopoeus pulcher (Panama Blonde) Tarantula Care Sheet

Keeping Exotic Pets – Venezuelan Sun Tiger (Psalmopoeus irminia) Care Sheet

Keeping Exotic Pets – Trinidad Chevron (Psalmopoeus cambridgei) Care Sheet

Keeping Exotic Pets – Skeleton Tarantula (Ephebopus murinus) Care Sheet

Categories
Tarantula Care Guides

Aviculariinae Care

Common genera: Avicularia, Caribena, Ybyrapora, Typochlaena

Enclosure size for adults (see Sling Guide for sling enclosures): Generally an 8×8×12” (20×20×30cm) enclosure is good for most species; a good guide is 2x legspan in width and length and 3x legspan in height from substrate to top.

Enclosure setup (décor, substrate, etc.): These species don’t really need much for substrate as they don’t burrow or even tend to spend much time on the ground, even as slings. Either a long cork bark flat or tube extending the height of the enclosure should be used to allow for a hide. Other things like plants (live or artificial), more bark pieces, or other pieces of wood make good décor.

Humidity/moisture: These spiders, when young especially, often do not do well with heavy misting and stagnant humidity. They must have plenty of cross ventilation (preferably ventilation on two sides and the top). You can add water to the substrate to increase humidity if needed. A water dish either on the bottom of the enclosure or glued/silicone to the side is sufficient. For small slings you can drop water onto the web or lightly spray the wall.

Genera/Species Specific:

Typochlaena seladonia – this species makes trapdoors in the bark of trees, so should be provided with a piece of bark standing up to allow them to create their trapdoor. This is most often done with cork bark, but other soft barks likely work as well.

References:

Tarantula Collective – Guyana Pinktoe (Avicularia avicularia) Care Sheet

Tarantula Collective – Antilles Pinktoe (Caribena versicolor) Care Sheet

Marshall Arachnids – Avicularia Species Care

Categories
Tarantula Care Guides

Tarantula sling care

Housing: Keep it small, especially for very tiny slings (1/4-1/2″(6-12mm) or less) so they are able to find food easily and you can readily monitor them. Generally around 2″ wide by 1.5-2″ tall (5×4-5cm) is sufficient for terrestrial species under 3/4″ (19mm) and 2″ wide by 3.5″ tall (5×9cm) is sufficient for arboreal or fossorial species. Ensure there is plenty of ventilation, but not enough that the enclosure will dry out quickly.

Water: It isn’t really necessary to use a water dish for slings as long as they’re getting water in another way. If you choose to use a water dish, you can use something like an tattoo ink cup, water bottle cover, single LEGO block turned upside down, or even a trimmed golf tee. If not using a water dish, spraying the side and/or drizzling water into the substrate is sufficient.

Humidity/moisture: Depending on species, most slings will benefit from half of their substrate being kept moist at all times as they can easily desiccate (dry out) if kept too dry. Some species, like Ceratogyrus spp. (horned baboons) and most other African baboon species, prefer a drier environment and will actually do better if kept all dry with a water dish. Other species like Cyriopagopus lividum (cobalt blue) and Theraphosa spp. (Goliath birdeaters) are more moisture dependent and prefer a more moist substrate, so I usually keep their entire substrate moist.

Feeding: Feed every 3 days. Either live prey or pre-killed prey (whole or partial) can be offered. If live, the prey should be smaller than the body length (minus legs) and you should ensure it is eaten within 24 hours. If pre-killed, the prey should be smaller than the leg span and removed within 24 hours to prevent mold growth.

Other Resources:

Tom’s Big Spiders – Tarantula Sling Husbandry

Tom Moran – The Ultimate Tarantula Sling Guide – Part 1 – Video

Tom Moran – The Ultimate Tarantula Sling Guide – Part 2 – Video

Tarantula Heaven – How to Care for a Tarantula Sling vs. an Adult Tarantula

Categories
Mantis Care Guides

Stagmomantis spp.

Common species: Stagmomantis carolina, S. limbata, S. wheeleri, S. floridensis, S. gracilipes

Common names: Carolina mantis (S. carolina), bordered mantis (S. limbata), Arizona mantis (S. limbata or S. gracilipes), California mantis (S. wheeleri), Florida mantis (S. floridensis), Arizona tan mantis (S. gracilipes)

Difficulty: Beginner

Size: Both sexes up to 3″ (7.5cm)

Lifespan: Males up to 8-10 months; females up to 1 year

Recommended enclosure size by instar:
 – 1i-3i: 2oz/5.5oz deli cup (2×2″/5×5cm)
– 4i-6i: 5.5oz/16oz deli cup (4×4″/10×10cm)
– 7i-adult: 8×8×12″ (20×20×30cm) enclosure minimum

Humidity: 60-80%, but adaptable to a wide range of humidity levels; mist every other day or so for hydration

Temperature: 70-86°F (21-30°C)

Feeding:
– 1i-2i: D. melanogaster or D. hydei fruit flies
– 3i-5i: D. hydei fruit flies, house flies, small cockroaches, small crickets
– 6i-adult: House flies, green/blue bottle flies, medium cockroaches, medium crickets, waxworms/moths, mealworms (treat only)

Breeding:
Breeding can be attempted once both sexes are around 3 weeks into adulthood.
Females lay 4-8 ooths, generally preferring flat surfaces.

Species specific breeding notes:
– Stagmomantis carolina: diapause not needed, but can be done to provide for stronger nymphs. If not diapaused, nymphs will emerge in 1-4 months. Diapause may take place over up to 7-9 months at temperatures of around 50-60°F. Ooths will hatch over up to 21 days and hatch 20-40 nymphs.
– Stagmomantis floridensis: Nymphs emerge in 8-10 weeks and do not require diapause. Ooths generally hatch all nymphs at once and will hatch up to 50 nymphs.
– Stagmomantis gracilipes: Ooths can be diapaused similarly to S. carolina. Each ooth will hatch up to 50 nymphs.

Other Resources:

Mantid Forum – Stagmomantis limbata

Mantid Forum – Stagmomantis wheeleri (formerly Stagmomantis californica)

Mantis Monarch – Stagmomantis carolina

ADW – Stagmomantis carolina

Panterra Pets – Carolina Mantis

Categories
Mantis Care Guides

Tenodera spp. (Chinese Mantis)

Common hobby species: Tenodera sinensis, T. angustipennis

Common name(s): Chinese Mantis (T. sinensis), Narrow-wing Mantis (T. angustipennis)

Difficulty: Intermediate

Size: both sexes about 4” (10cm)

Lifespan: Males up to 6-8 months; females up to 1 year

Recommended enclosure size by instar:
– 1i-3i: 2oz/5.5oz deli cup (2×2″/5×5cm)
– 4i-6i: 5.5oz/16oz deli cup (4×4″/10×10cm)
– 7i-adult: 12×12×12″ (30×30×30cm) enclosure minimum

Humidity: 50-60%; mist every other day or so for hydration

Temperature: 70-86°F (21-30°C)

Feeding:
– 1i-2i: D. melanogaster or D. hydei fruit flies
– 3i-5i: house flies, green/blue bottle flies, small cockroaches, small crickets
– 6i-adult: blue bottle flies, medium/large cockroaches, medium/large crickets, wax worm/moths, mealworms (as treats)

Breeding:
Breeding can be attempted when males have been mature for 2 weeks and females have been mature for 3-4 weeks.
Females lay multiple ooths, generally on thin branches, which hatch in 4-5 weeks when kept at the same parameters as the mantises. Each ooth hatches on from 50 to 300 nymphs.
Diapause is not necessary, but is considered to be beneficial and can help delay hatching. This can be done in the fridge or an outdoor unheated structure like a shed. The ooth should be allowed to harden for around 2 weeks before being chilled. Diapause can be done at any temperature below 50°F but generally shouldn’t be below 15-20°F at minimum. The ooth will hatch once it is exposed to temperatures over 60°F consistently for 1-4 weeks

Other notes: This species is very prone to collapsed abdomens and mismolts. If they hang from the lid upside down too often, their abdomen may begin to fold and they will require an enclosure that does not allow them to hang from the top.

Other Resources:

Mantid Forum – Tenodera sinensis

Panterra Pets – Chinese Mantis

ADW – Tenodera sinensis (formerly Tenodera aridifolia)

Categories
Mantis Care Guides

Deroplatys spp. (Dead Leaf Mantis)

Common hobby species: Deroplatys lobata, D. desiccata, D. truncata, D. trigonodera

Common names: Dead Leaf Mantis, Giant Dead Leaf Mantis, Malaysian Dead Leaf Mantis, Asian Dead Leaf Mantis

Difficulty: Intermediate

Size: males up to 1.75” (4.5cm)[D. desiccata – up to 2.75” (7cm)]; females up to 2.75” (7cm)[D. desiccata – up to 3” (8cm)]

Lifespan: males up to 1 year [D. desiccata up to 1.5 years]; females up to 2 years

Recommended enclosure size by instar:
– 1i-3i: 5.5 deli cup (3×3″/8×8cm)
– 4i-6i: 16oz deli cup (4×4″/10×10cm)
– 7i-adult: Depending on species, either 8×8×12″ (20×20×20cm) or 12×12×12″ (30×30×30cm) minimum

Humidity: 60-80%, misting every other day or so for hydration

Temperature: 75-85°F (24-29.5°C)

Feeding:
– 1i-2i: D. hydei fruit flies
– 3i-5i: house flies, blue bottle flies, small/medium cockroaches, small/medium crickets
– 6i-adult: blue bottle flies, medium/large cockroaches, medium/large crickets, wax worm/moths, mealworms (as treats)

Breeding:
Breeding can be attempted when males have been mature for 3 weeks and females have been mature for 4+ weeks.
Females lay up to 8 ooths, generally on thick branches or the underside of leaves, which hatch in 6-7 weeks when kept at the same parameters as the mantises. Each ooth hatches on average 40 nymphs, but up to 100 nymphs.

Other notes: They can be finicky eaters, but many will prefer larger and/or flying prey (especially D. dessicata).
They tend to prefer hanging out on the ground and on sticks near the ground. Be careful to ensure there is not a spot for them to molt too close to the ground and mismolt.

Other Resources:

Mantids & More – Lexicon – Deroplatys desiccata

Mantids & More – Lexicon – Deroplatys lobata

Mantids & More – Lexicon – Deroplatys truncata

Jax Mantis – Deroplatys desiccata

Jax Mantis – Deroplatys lobata

Jax Mantis – Deroplatys truncata

Categories
Mantis Care Guides

Hymenopus coronatus (Orchid Mantis)

Difficulty: Intermediate

Size: males up to 1.5” (4cm); females up to 3.5” (9cm)

Lifespan: males up to 1 year; females up to 1.5 years

Recommended minimum enclosure size by instar:
– 1i-3i: 2/5.5oz deli cup (2×2″/5×5cm)
– 4i-6i: 16/32oz deli cup (4×4″/10×10cm)
– 7i-adult: 32oz (4×6″/10×15cm) deli cup for males; around 8×8×8″ (20×20×20cm) for females

Humidity: ~50-60%, misting every other day or so

Temperature: 75-86°F (24-30°C)

Feeding: flying feeders are preferred; ensure feeders are kept very clean
– 1i-2i: D. melanogaster and/or D. hydei fruit flies
– 3i-5i: house flies, green bottle flies, small roaches, small crickets
– 6i-adult: house flies, small roaches, small crickets

Breeding:

Notes: Orchids are very susceptible to infections. Cross ventilation and clean conditions/feeders are essential for this species.

Other Resources:

Mantids & More – Lexicon – Hymenopus coronatus

Marshall Arachnids – Orchid Mantis

Mantis Monarch – Hymenopus coronatus

Jax Mantis – Hymenopus coronatus

Categories
Mantis Care Guides

Theopropus elegans (Banded Flower Mantis)

Difficulty: Intermediate

Size: males up to .5” (1.5cm); females up to 1.5” (3.5cm)

Lifespan: males up to 6 months; females up to 1 year

Recommended minimum enclosure size by instar:
– 1i-3i: 2oz deli cup (2×2″/5×5cm)
– 4i-6i: 5.5/8oz deli cup (3×3″/8×8cm)
– 7i-adult: 16oz (4×4″/10×10cm) deli cup for males; 32oz (4×6″/10×15cm) deli cup for females

Humidity: 50-70%, spray once a day or so

Temperature: 75-86°F (24-30°C); room temperature is fine at night

Feeding:
– 1i-2i: D. melanogaster fruit flies
– 3i-5i: D. hydei fruit flies, pinhead/small roaches, pinhead/small crickets, house flies
– 6i-adult: house flies, green/blue bottle flies, small roaches, small crickets, wax worms/moths, mealworms (as treats only)

Breeding:
Breeding can be attempted when females have been mature for 3-4 weeks and males have been mature around a week.

Other Resources:

Mantids & More – Lexicon – Theopropus elegans

Categories
Mantis Care Guides

Eremiaphila spp. (Desert Mantis)

Common name(s): Desert Mantis, Pebble Mantis

Difficulty: Intermediate

Size: males up to 1” (2.5cm); females up to 1.5” (3.5cm)

Lifespan: males up to 6 months; females up to 10 months

Recommended minimum enclosure size by instar:
1i-3i: 8oz deli cup (4.5″/11cm diameter)
4i-6i: 8oz deli cup (4.5″/11cm diameter)
7i-adult: 68/96oz deli cup (9.75″/25cm diameter)

Humidity: under 30% or room humidity (no need to lower it), spray rarely, maximum once a week if at all

Temperature: 95-110°F (35-45°C), room temperature is fine at night

Feeding: ideally firebrats (Thermobia domestica) are used for all instars, but many have luck with other feeders. If you’d like to use other feeders, here is a good size guide:
1i-2i: D. melanogaster fruit flies
3i-5i: D. hydei fruit flies, pinhead roaches, pinhead crickets
6i-adult: house flies, small roaches, small crickets

Breeding:
Wait until around 2 weeks after mature molt for females and 1 week for males.
Females lay around 10 ooths which hatch in around 4-6 weeks when kept at the same parameters as mantises, although spraying around once a week can be beneficial. Each ooth will hatch up to 15 nymphs and often will hatch over time instead of all at once.

Notes: These mantises do best on a sandy substrate. A mix of something like play sand, clay, and gravel works well. They do not need things to hang from as they molt on the ground, but they will climb on things like small rocks and bark if provided.

Other Resources:

Mantids & More – Lexicon – Eremiaphila sp. “India”

Categories
Mantis Care Guides

Galinthias amoena (Kenyan Flower Mantis)

Common name(s): African flower mantis, Kenyan flower mantis

Difficulty: Beginner

Size: males up to 1” (2.5cm); females up to 1.5” (3.5cm)

Lifespan: males up to 6 months; females up to 10 months

Recommended enclosure size by instar:
– 1i-3i: 2oz deli cup (2×2″/5×5cm)
– 4i-6i: 2/5.5oz deli cup (3×3″/8×8cm)
– 7i-adult: 16oz deli cup minimum (4.5×4″/11×10cm)

Humidity: 50-70%, misting every 2-3 days for hydration; they aren’t too picky about humidity

Temperature: 65-75°F (18-24°C)

Feeding:
– 1i-2i: D. melanogaster fruit flies
– 3i-5i: D. hydei fruit flies, house flies, very small roaches/crickets
– 6i-adult: house flies, blue bottle flies, small roaches, small crickets, wax worms/moths, mealworms (as treats only)

Breeding:
Wait around 8-10 days after the last molt for females and a week for males before attempting to breed.
Ooths will hatch in about 6 weeks when kept at the same temperature/humidity as mantises and each hatch around 10-15 nymphs.

Notes: This species grows very fast, often molting every 2 weeks for each instar until adulthood. It isn’t unheard of for them to reach adulthood 8-9 weeks after hatchling

Other Resources:

Mantid Forum – Galinthias amoena

Mantis Monarch – Galinthias amoena