Description
Idiothele mira is a relatively small tarantula from Africa. It comes from a desert area, South Africa specifically, which you’ll bear in mind when keeping it.
Why might you want to keep I. mira? Perhaps you’d like to expand into keeping Old World tarantulas. I. mira is smallish and not terribly defensive. So it’s not as imposing as something as large as Heteroscodra maculata or as spicy as Pterinochilus murinus. It has pretty black and gold-brown patterns on its body and the legs are tipped with blue! Still not convinced? Consider that I. mira is also a trapdoor species. When they begin to pass the juvenile stage, they reliably begin to construct trap doors out of substrate and web. The doors are completely camouflaged. They are only recognizable when the spider emerges to snatch prey.
For captive specimens we recommend semi-dry substrate, room temperature (68-72F) and a water dish. Ventilation can be liberal since I. mira is relatively drought tolerant–humidity need not build up too much (50-70% RH). You’ll note that deserts are drier than 50-70% RH. However, most of the time I. mira is protected in a burrow behind a trapdoor. Here, humidity is higher and temperatures lower than the desert above.
Your pet’s hydration can be supported with regular feeding and easy access to water. A water dish or occasional water drops for a drink will do.
Photos: 1,2-adult female; 3-adult male
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