Chaetopelma olivaceum spiderling • 5/8 – 3/4″ (Middle Eastern olive)

Description

It’s not common to see hobby species from the Middle East and environs. Interest in tarantulas from this region seems to be increasing. Chaetopelma olivaceum, the Middle Eastern olive, was the hobby’s introduction to tarantulas from the Mediterranean. C. olivaceum has been reported from Greece to Egypt. Further inland there are other species, both described and undescribed. We await their introduction to the hobby.

C. olivaceum has neither bright color nor lively pattern to recommend it. Some popular tarantulas don’t actually, which is interesting. So why do we keep them? Strict color aficionados might do better with tropical birds or perhaps dart frogs, but are any of us that strict? Whatever the answer, tarantula hobbyists vote by keeping C. olivaceum for what it means to them, whatever that may be. The Middle Eastern olive earns its deserved place on tarantula-keeper’s shelves.

This spider is fast. In its native range it sits in rock crevices, launching upon approaching prey. Captive C. olivaceum can sit motionless for hours. Often enough, prey stumbling onto its web proves the spider’s strategy. Captive C. olivaceum appreciate hiding place such as a hide or rock crevice facsimile. Room temperature (68-72F) is fine. Substrate on the dry side and a water dish will be satisfactory. Enclosure ventilation should be moderate, excess humidity isn’t a must. Spiderlings though may do better with higher humidity however.

Photos: 1,2,3-immature female (ArachnoEden); 4-female adult (Jake Huff)

Care highlights:

• room temperature (68-72F) up to 80F
• slightly dampened substrate (sds)
• control ventilation to elevate humidity slightly
• keep juveniles through adults drier +/- water dish
• opportunistic burrower, design hiding spaces