Description
Hobbyists are becoming familiar with Davus ruficeps, a recent Davus addition to the hobby. D. ruficeps, native Costa Rica and Nicaragua, is commonly known as the Costa Rican tiger rump.
D. ruficeps is similar to the more commonly available Guatemalan tiger rump (Davus pentaloris). At first glance they look the same. Both have contrasting orange and black (blue-black), with bold striping on the abdomen and a bright, peach-orange carapace. However, D. ruficeps is smaller by over an inch. Also, instead of black appendages, D. ruficeps’ are an iridescent blue-black. Despite these, difference in abdominal ‘tiger’ stripe pattern is the easiest way to tell the two apart.
D. ruficeps females grow to about 3 inches. It qualifies as a dwarf species, though it’s on the upper end of a rather arbitrary scale.
D. ruficeps is an opportunistic burrower. In captivity it tends to construct a shallow hide below the surface. It typically leaves a small opening that it closes at will. Webbing is medium to profuse.
It’s fine to keep juveniles and older specimens on slightly dry substrate, limiting ventilation enough to allow a bit of humidity to accumulate. Room temperature (68-72F) is fine, although growth will be faster at 80F. A water dish may help avoid accidental dehydration.
Photos: 1,2-specimen for sale (ArachnoEden)
Care highlights:
- slightly dry substrate for juveniles through adults
- slightly elevated humidity +/- water dish support
- room temperature (68-72F) up to 80F
- tends to construct a shallow hide below the surface
- consider forest litter and plantings for enrichment
[1] Gabriel, R. (2016). Revised taxonomic placement of the species in the Central American genera Davus O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1892, Metriopelma Becker, 1878, and Schizopelma F. O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1897, with comments on species in related genera (Araneae: Theraphosidae). Arachnology 17(2): 61-92.
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