Description
🕷️ Abdomegaphobema mesomelas – a tarantula from the cloud forests of Costa Rica In adults, orange-red “knees” and long, reddish hairs on the abdomen stand out against the nearly black body. In juveniles, colorful spots first appear on the two front pairs of legs. An adult tarantula reaches about 6 cm in body length and has a leg span of over a dozen centimeters. This species is found exclusively in Costa Rica. In the misty mountain forests of Monteverde, it inhabits narrow burrows in steep slopes. It can sometimes be spotted at the entrance to its burrow even during the day. In older breeding guides, you’ll find it listed as Megaphobema mesomelas. In a terrarium, cooler conditions work best—around 20–22°C during the day—along with a deep layer of substrate in which the spider can dig a burrow. It’s a good idea to keep one section of the substrate slightly moist and leave the other drier. Good ventilation and constant access to a water dish are important. Crickets and cockroaches, sized appropriately for the spider, make good food.