Description
All 25 described species of Hysterocrates come from Central and west Africa. Of these, hobbyists commonly keep only Hysterocrates gigas and Hysterocrates laticeps.
An obligate burrower, captive H. gigas is a bulldozer that over time rearranges most of its substrate. Like Pelinobius and Theraphosa, H. gigas is drought intolerant. Captive specimens will crawl in and out of water, possibly an evolutionary adaptation to seasonally flooded burrows. Hysterocrates laticeps also exhibits this behavior (Melody Frasier, personal communication).
Peaceful subsocial living has been demonstrated for H. gigas up to the juvenile stage [1]. Some hobbyists report peaceful group living beyond the juvenile stage.
Freshly molted juveniles and adults are contrasting shades of grey. Later in the molt cycle they turn rusty, reddish brown.
Keep spiderlings on a slightly dampened substrate made by mixing 1 part water with 10 parts dry substrate. Limit ventilation only enough to allow humidity to build. Room temperature (68-72F) is fine. Juveniles and adults may be kept with less substrate moisture, with a water dish to boost humidity if needed.
Photos: 1-adult female, recent molt; 2-adult female, intermolt; 3-young female; 4-mother with spiderlings
Care highlights:
- slightly dampened substrate for spiderings
- elevated humidity (75-90% RH)
- room temperature (68-72F) up to 80F
- juveniles & older specimens may be kept with less substrate dampness +/- water dish support
[1] Varrecchia, M. M., Gorley, V. A., & Marshall, S. D. (2004). Group size does not influence growth in the Theraphosid spider Hysterocrates gigas (Aranae, Theraphosidae, Eumenophorinae). The Journal of Arachnology 32(2): 324-331.
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