Ewok pruriens female • 2 1/2″ (Peruvian green velvet)

Description

Ewok pruriens female for sale

Ewok pruriens, formerly Thrixopelma pruriens, has been in the hobby since the late 1990s. E. pruriens is a medium-size terrestrial commonly known as the Peruvian green velvet. The type locality is unfortunately no more specific than Chile, with a few males reported from Peru. Recent work by the Theraphosid Research Team suggests Thrixopelma sp. “Piura” from northwestern Peru is the same species [1].

In northern coastal Peru, the Andes rain shadow that creates the arid climate of Piura extends southward for thousands of miles into Chile. Similar climate along this vast distance lends plausibility to the range of E. pruriens/sp. “Piura” actually being that great. Nevertheless, Sherwood et al express “a need for significant new field work efforts to establish the true distribution of T. pruriens sensu stricto…” [2].

We recommend keeping this juvenile E. pruriens on slightly dry substrate, with water dish supplementation. Ventilation can be adjusted to allow a bit of humidity to build. Average room humidity in the US is 50% RH. It may be safer to maintain enclosure humidity higher, perhaps around 75% RH, despite E. pruriens being nearly a desert species. Room temperature (68-72F) is fine.

Specimens older than this instar have higher drought tolerance. Thus, one can liberalize ventilation as she matures. However, if you use higher temperatures, say 80-85F, adjust enclosure water and ventilation to prevent pet desiccation.

Adult females reach about 4 inches. Males are diminutive, maturing at about 3 inches.

Why keep Ewok pruriens?

Why E. pruriens? Like many hobbyists, you like the assortment of dry species coming out of western Peru and Chile (e.g., Homoeomma, Thrixoplema, Euathlus).

Photos

Photos: 1,2-specimen for sale, recently molted (ArachnoEden); 3-specimen for sale eating her first post-molt cricket (ArachnoEden); 4-adult female with egg sac (ArachnoEden)

Care highlights

Care highlights:

• E. pruriens live in an arid, dry scrub climate

• slightly dry substrate for this juvenile

• control ventilation to elevate humidity slightly

• slightly dry substrate + water dish for juveniles and up, liberalize ventilation

• room temperature (68-72F) up to 80-85F

References

[1] https://arachnoboards.com/threads/theraphosinae-sp-piura-is-a-thrixopelma-pruriens.352947

[2] Sherwood, D., Gabriel, R., Kaderka, R., Lucas, S. M. & Brescovit, A. D. (2021c). Stabilizing a chaotic taxonomy: redescription and redefinition of the genera Lasiodorides Schmidt & Bischoff, 1997 and Thrixopelma Schmidt, 1994 (Araneae: Theraphosidae). Arachnology 18(8): 893-917.