Cyriocosmus elegans

Body and legs are dark brown to black with paler rings at the joints. The abdomen has a pattern of orange, rusty and golden spots or bands, and in many individuals the central mark resembles the heart shape typical of Cyriocosmus.

Adult females reach a leg span of about 5–6 cm and a body length of about 2 cm. Males are even smaller and longer-legged. Spiderlings leaving the egg sac are only a few millimetres long.

Eugène Simon described the species in 1889 from a female from Venezuela. The World Spider Catalog gives the range as Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana; the Guyana record was added in 2023. On Trinidad and Tobago the species has been found, among other places, in burrows in roadside banks.

The genus Cyriocosmus contains many similar small species. When buying, choose spiders from a reliable breeding line, because juveniles of different species are hard to tell apart.

An adult female needs a container with a floor of about 15 × 15 cm or 20 × 15 cm. A deep layer of substrate (5–8 cm), in which the spider digs and silk-lines a burrow, matters more than floor space. A small piece of cork helps it start.

Keep spiderlings in very small containers with fine ventilation holes, as they easily squeeze through gaps. In a large enclosure a small spider struggles to find prey and the keeper struggles to monitor it.

A temperature of 22–26°C is enough. Keep the lower substrate slightly moist at all times, because small tarantulas dehydrate quickly. Water part of the substrate along one edge rather than misting the burrow entrance.

A shallow water dish helps adults; for spiderlings a moist patch of substrate is enough. Ventilation is still needed, as an overly wet, stuffy environment encourages mould.

The smallest spiderlings need very small food: micro crickets, springtails, tiny roaches or pieces of larger insects. Adults do fine with small crickets or roaches once a week. Prey should be smaller than the spider’s abdomen.

Despite its small size, the species grows at a moderate pace. Males usually mature after about 1.5–2 years, females somewhat later. Females can live from several to over ten years.

Cyriocosmus elegans is skittish and spends most of its time in its burrow. When disturbed it quickly hides, and less often rears up or kicks urticating hairs. Because of its small size and speed it is not suitable for handling.

Watch for escapes when opening the container. Use fine tongs for maintenance and rehouse over a large, light-coloured tub.