Idiothele mira (1.5cm)

Idiothele mira, commonly known as the Blue Foot Baboon, is one of the most fascinating Old World bird spiders native to South Africa. The species is distinguished from other spiders in the Harpactirinae family by its unique lifestyle. It is a spider that builds intricate vertical burrows closed with a special "flap" made of web and substrate. This allows it to effectively camouflage itself in the wild and instantly hunt passing insects. Appearance and characteristics This species reaches a small size, making it an ideal choice for breeders with limited space. The body of the spider is covered with a pattern in shades of beige and gold, but its most distinctive feature is the intense blue coloration of the distal segments of the legs (feet). This color is best visible from underneath and when the spider is moving. Idiothele mira grows moderately fast, and adult females present a very compact, stocky body. Behavior and venom As a representative of the African bird spiders, this species does not have scabbing hairs. When threatened, it usually rescues itself by escaping to its safe burrow, but when pressed, it can adopt a defensive posture. It has venoms typical of Old World avian species, which are more potent than those of American species, so caution is advised when handling it in the terrarium. Nevertheless, due to its secretive lifestyle, direct confrontations are rare. Breeding conditions Due to its subterranean lifestyle, this spider requires specific terrarium preparation. It is necessary to have a thicker layer of substrate (at least 10-12 cm), preferably a mixture of peat and sand or coconut fiber, which will allow stable digging of tunnels. The substrate should be slightly moist, but not wet. The optimal daytime temperature is about 24-26°C. Idiothele mira does not require large containers - for an adult individual, a terrarium with a base of 20x20 cm is sufficient, provided that the substrate is deep enough.