How to Care for a Pterinochilus Tarantula

The Mombasa starburst tarantula spider inhabits areas in Eastern Africa, where it lives in silk-lined burrows. This aggressive tarantula possesses a distinctive starburst pattern of golden hairs on its carapace. The Mombasa starburst tarantula, which spins heavy webs, is frequently found in shanty towns where it preys on cockroaches. It is best to usher this species of tarantula into a container when moving; do not to handle the animal.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium, 12-inches by 12-inches by 12-inches
  • Vivarium heating mat
  • Thermometer
  • Vermiculite / peat mix
  • Fist-sized stones
  • Branches and bark
  • Plastic water bowel
  • Second plastic water bowel (optional)
  • Wet/ dry thermometer
  • Live crickets
  • Large mealworms
  • Day-old mice
  • Glass top, incorporating air holes with are covered with gauze
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place a 12-inch by 12-inch by 12-inch aquarium on a stand in a section of the room, which is not exposed to a draft.

    • 2

      Place a thin vivarium heating mat under one-third of the aquarium.

    • 3

      Place a thermometer into the aquarium and monitor the temperature, which must be between 70 and 80 degrees.

    • 4

      Add a commercial vermiculite / peat mix to the bottom of the aquarium. Add sufficient mix to create a 4- to 6-inch substrate. This species of spider enjoys digging burrows.

    • 5

      Place two or three fist-sized stones into the aquarium. Add some bark and one or two branches to the aquarium.

    • 6

      Make a depression in the substrate with your hand and place a water dish into this hollowed-out area. Fill the dish with bottled water. The water dish will also create a humid environment in the aquarium.

    • 7

      Place a wet/dry thermometer into the aquarium and read the humidity from this thermometer. Add a second water dish to raise the humidity to between 60 and 70 percent, if necessary.

    • 8

      Place one or two live crickets into the spider's aquarium, every second day. Alternate the crickets with large mealworms. Wait until the tarantula eats these insects before offering more. Offer a pink or day-old mouse twice a month. Hold the back legs of the mouse between your thumb and forefinger and hit the creature's head against the edge of a table to euthanize it before feeding. Live crickets, mealworms and pink mice are available from your pet dealer.

    • 9

      Place a glass top onto the aquarium. Ensure that there are at least two small pre-drilled air holes in the lid. These must be covered with gauze to prevent the spider from escaping.