Cyriopagopus lividus spiderling • 3/4″ (colbalt blue earthtiger)

Description

Possibly the most well-known Asian tarantula in the hobby, the colbalt blue tarantula, Cyriopagopus lividus (ex. Haplopelma lividum), is a fossorial rainforest inhabitant. C. lividus is native to Myanmar (fmr. Burma) and countries east to Vietnam. It is an obligate burrower, i.e., fossorial, and typically excavates a volcano-shaped mound on the ground around its burrow. Sometimes it emerges, often at night, but most often it pauses at the opening. There it waits in ambush, ready to snatch passing prey, which are quickly immobilized and dragged down the burrow.

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. Keep your spiderling over 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. Juvenile and older specimens are a bit more drought tolerant than spiderlings.

Photos: 1,2-adult female (ArachnoEden); 2-adult male (ArachnoEden); 3-adult color (stock image)

Care highlights:

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