Cyriopagopus lividus female • 3″ (colbalt blue earthtiger)

Description

Listed for sale here is the female Cyriopagopus lividus. As mentioned in the entry for the colbalt blue tarantula spiderling, Cyriopagopus lividus (ex. Haplopelma lividum) is possibly the hobby’s best known Asian tarantula.

C. lividus is a rainforest inhabitant with a relatively broad distribution in SE Asia. It’s found in Myanmar (fmr. Burma) and countries east to Vietnam. An obligate burrower (i.e. fossorial), C. lividus typically constructs a volcano-shaped mound around its burrow entrance. Sometimes it emerges and walks about the enclosure. More often it pauses at the burrow entrance, waiting to ambush passing prey.

Because C. lividus is an Old World tarantula, a bite is likely to be medically significant. Read up on Old World tarantulas before buying and take proper precautions.

C. lividus likes water but not wetness. Although juvenile and older specimens are a bit more drought tolerant than spiderlings, we keep this female under similar conditions used for spiderlings. We use slightly dampened substrate and limit ventilation only enough to allow humidity to build. Our substrate recipe is 1 part water, 10 parts dry substrate. Room temperature (68-72F) is fine. If you use warmer temperatures, consider adding a water dish as dehydration insurance.

Photos: 1,2-female specimen for sale (ArachnoEden); 3-another female specimen for sale, late instar (ArachnoEden); 4-adult female (ArachnoEden)

Care highlights:

• slightly dampened substrate, several inches to permit burrowing
• elevated humidity +/- water dish support
• room temperature (68-72F) up to 80-85F
• juveniles and adults are more drought tolerant
• consider forest litter and plantings for enrichment