Description
Bumba horrida (ex. cabocla) lives on an island in a river. The island, called Maracá, is the location of the Maracá Ecological Station. In 2000, researchers described the species [1], a robust yet delicate-appearing theraphosid.
Maracá is one quarter the size of Rhode Island. West and east Maracá are influenced by Amazonian forest and Guyana savanna respectively, a boost to the island’s biodiversity [2]. Temperatures hover around 80F year round, precipitation 60.4 inches yearly. In comparison the Everglades get 40-60 inches yearly.
All B. horrida instars have thin, tapered legs and short setae. Appearance is elegant and delicate, giving B. horrida a spidery look. Color is black with a bright, pale port-wine or maroon carapace. Mature female B. horrida can reach 4 inches.
Keep spiderlings at room temperature (68-72F) and on slightly dampened substrate. Temperatures as high as 85F are probably okay as long as access to water is secured. Ventilation should be restricted to allow modest build up of humidity. As always seems to be the case with tarantulas, juveniles through adults seem to do better with less enclosure moisture than spiderlings. However, elevated humidity is still probably beneficial.
B. horrida has been bred overseas and in the US, presenting no unusual requirements.
Photos: 1-young female (ArachnoEden); 2-immature male (Elijah Fraise)
Care highlights:
- slightly dampened substrate for spiderlings (+/- water dish)
- room temperature (68-72F) up to 85F
- elevated humidity (limit ventilation to achieve)
- consider providing a hide, forest litter and plantings for enrichment
[1] Pérez-Miles, F. (2000). Iracema cabocla new genus and species of a theraphosid spider from Amazonic Brazil (Araneae, Theraphosinae). Journal of Arachnology 28: 141-148.
[2] Pontes, Antonio. (2006). Environmental determinants of primate abundance in Maracá Island, Roraima, Brazilian Amazonia. Journal of Zoology 247: 189 – 199.
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