Need Info on H. Gigas

[IMAGINE1391]

I have a few tarantulas arriving next week but I still feel like I need info on the half inch Hysterocrates Gigas mainly due to its small size upon arrival. I would like to know what the best substrate I could use is. I have coco fiber and reptisoil which has a blend of peat moss, sand, soil, and carbon.

I also really need to know a good food source. I have dubia roaches at home in an assortment of sizes but would the smallest roaches still be too big for a half inch Tarantula?

I would also appreciate some ideas for an enclosure. I know it needs something with depth so that it can burrow.

 

[Tortoise Tom]

From what I've read, they are a "swamp" spider and there is a youtube video of one underwater. This being the case, I keep the substrate more damp in their enclosures. I house my adult female on coco coir. I made her a cave, and she uses it, but also did a lot of her own excavating down at the bottom of her cave. I had another one that hid all the time and never came out. I sold that one. Then I received another one as a free-bee and this one is awesome. It is out most of the time and she's a beast when it comes to eating. With the exception of a brief pre-molt period, she's never seen a roach she didn't want to pounce on.

I use Blatta lateralis for all of my small slings. Newly hatched lateralis are the same size as pinhead crickets. Maybe even a little smaller. That is what I'd suggest. Dubia babies will be fine to offer after a molt or two.

 

[IMAGINE1391]

From what I've read, they are a "swamp" spider and there is a youtube video of one underwater. This being the case, I keep the substrate more damp in their enclosures. I house my adult female on coco coir. I made her a cave, and she uses it, but also did a lot of her own excavating down at the bottom of her cave. I had another one that hid all the time and never came out. I sold that one. Then I received another one as a free-bee and this one is awesome. It is out most of the time and she's a beast when it comes to eating. With the exception of a brief pre-molt period, she's never seen a roach she didn't want to pounce on.

I use Blatta lateralis for all of my small slings. Newly hatched lateralis are the same size as pinhead crickets. Maybe even a little smaller. That is what I'd suggest. Dubia babies will be fine to offer after a molt or two.

View attachment 35089

Yours sounds like an awesome Tarantula and I hope mine is similar!

So should I use a bottle cap for water or should a just mist since the T is half an inch? Or possibly both?

 

[Tortoise Tom]

Yours sounds like an awesome Tarantula and I hope mine is similar!

So should I use a bottle cap for water or should a just mist since the T is half an inch? Or possibly both?

I've learned from this forum that misting is generally not needed or recommended. Damp substrate and a plastic water bottle cap should do it.

I took some pics of mine tonight eating a dubia. For some reason she decided to stand on her tippy toes with her catch:

 

[IMAGINE1391]

I've learned from this forum that misting is generally not needed or recommended. Damp substrate and a plastic water bottle cap should do it.

I took some pics of mine tonight eating a dubia. For some reason she decided to stand on her tippy toes with her catch:
View attachment 35090
View attachment 35091

Noted. Thanks for the advice. And great photos of a cool spider!

 

[PanzoN88]

I don't have one (yet), but some have said that H. gigas are communal, but most attempted communals ended in failure. Just thought I should bring that up in case you read it somewhere.

 

[IMAGINE1391]

I don't have one (yet), but some have said that H. gigas are communal, but most attempted communals ended in failure. Just thought I should bring that up in case you read it somewhere.

Yes I have seen this. As interesting as it does sound, I would not want to chance it.

 

[Arachnoclown]

This spider swims...use a milk jug cap. I've always use the biggest water dish possible with this species as adults. 2" of moist substrate with lots of ventilation will work good for your sling. They love to dig tunnels. Someday you'll end up with a monster!!!

 

[IMAGINE1391]

This spider swims...use a milk jug cap. I've always use the biggest water dish possible with this species as adults. 2" of moist substrate with lots of ventilation will work good for your sling. They love to dig tunnels. Someday you'll end up with a monster!!!View attachment 35115

Can’t wait!