|
CRITTERS CARE SHEET WITH COMPLEMENTS CRAIG'S CRITTERS SELENOCOSMIA CRASSICEPSBird Eating Spider B W DIET: The preferred food for these spiders are either live crickets, Silkworms or Mealworms which can be bought at Craig's critters. Woodies also a good food source, they really don't need baby mice or raw meat, most Tarantulas wont take dead prey. Do not feed insects caught in the wild as they may have been in contact with insecticide. HOUSING: Small fish tank or perspex carry tank (minimum 10"x6"x5") makes an ideal home for your spider. Use peat moss or garden mulch stuff that has no fertilizer in it, also coco peat and palm peat is a great substrate as a floor covering with some sort of hiding spot for your spider, eg bark, cardboard towel roll. The humidity needs to be kept at a reasonable level, so only have a little amount of ventilation. Always remember these spiders must be kept separately. CARE: Spiders need very little maintenance, it is necessary to remove old food regularly and provide a shallow dish with water, use a small pebble or some gravel but not cotton wool as some people say bacteria could develop. Keep moisture up by fine misting on hot dry days, the substrate should be kept damp but not wet. Try and give natural sunlight to your spider at least three times a week, for only short periods of time (10-15 mins max). MOULTING: Adults will moult between mid December to mid February. It is important to keep your exhibit humid during this period. All live food should be removed from housing . Make sure there is sufficient water next to your spider during this time, as they will need to replenish their body fluid you should not feed for about a week after the moult as their fangs and bodies need time to harden. Signs of moulting: 1. Spider will go darker in colour 2. It will stop eating 3. It may spin a sheet of silk on which to lie 4. Spider will become slow in movement, don't poke it around 5. will roll over onto its back do not touch it it is moulting not dead. INTERESTING FACTS: These are one of the largest spiders in Australia. The bird eating spider Is related to the American tarantula. They reach sexual maturity at the age of 4 to 5 years, some spiders take 6 years, females will live up to 25 years, males will die around Twelve months after their first mate but some males will live for a fair bit longer, 18 to 24 if cared for well and kept well fed. Females produce an egg sac with approximately 100 eggs plus. Tarantulas are located in Northern Queensland. SPIDERS AND ALL ACCESS CAN BE PURCHASED FROM CRAIG'S CRITTERS 41 ROWAN STREET WANGARATTA 3677 PH/FAX 03 57213133
|
