Thailand Black Tarantula Care Sheet

Common name : Thailand black 

Species name : haplopelma minax 

Group or family :haplopelma 

PR keeper level :6

PR handler level : 9

Species or background or natural history : this species has been being imported since the 80's and has become popular In the last few years. 

Physical description : this species is solid black with chevron markings on its abdomen. This species gets up to 5 inches with males being leggier than females. 

Distribution : this species is found in tropical rainforest in Myanmar Thailand. 

Lifespan : males live 2-3 years and die soon after reaching sexual maturity. Females can live up to 12 years.

Caging :You can keep this species in a 5 or 8 gallon enclosure as adults , Slings can be kept in a pill bottle and moved up to a deli cup as they grow. Enclosures that don't have mesh tops are recommended , because many tarantulas climb to the top and may get their tarsus caught and can potentially loose a leg . High levels of substrate are also recommended because tarantulas do climb and fall , and a fall from a few inches could be fatal. This species creates deep burrows so high levels are needed . Zoomed Eco earth is a great substate choice. 

Cage decor if any : no cage decor is needed , a piece of bark may be used as a starter burrow but really isn't needed. 

Temp : this species should be kept at 78°-84°F. 

Heating and lighting : this species doesn't need any heating or lighting as long as your house stays at75 -85 degrees. If your house drops below that , a small portable heater is recommended to heat up the 
room. 

Humidity and water : the humidity should be kept at 70 - 80%. Half of the substate should be moistened two times a week to keep the humidity high enough. For an adult you can use a small exo terra kidney dish or a zoomed repti rock water dish as a water bowl , and a bottle cap for a smaller specimen. Fresh water should always be available. 

Diet and feeding : this species can feed on crickets , super worms , locust , and roaches as long as the prey item is of an appropriate size.

Supplements : tarantulas do not need supplements 

Breeding : this species is rarely captive bred which is why most specimens for sale are field collected . In order to breed you have to have a mature male and a mature female to breed. You must put the male in the females enclosure , if all goes well he will hold the females fangs with his tibial hooks and inject his sperm into the female. You must be ready to separate them once they are done mating , if not the female might try to eat the male. If the breeding was successful the female with produce an egg sack. When the time comes you will have to take the egg sack from the female , put in an incubator and cut the egg sack when its ready. You must then separate each sling and put them in individual containers. 

Handling you new pet : this species is extremely fast and will not hesitate to bite. This species will also bite multiple times if agitated , and has medically significant venom . 

PR comments : this species spends most of its life in its burrow and only partially emerges out of its burrow at night waiting for a potential meal to wander to close.