Cyriopagopus albostriatus (Thai Zebra) 0.75"

The Thai Zebra Tarantula, Cyriopagopus albostriatus Simon, is a beautiful, sculptural Southeast Asian species famous for its zebra-like patterns of white pinstripes along its black legs. These muscular fossorial members of the bird spider subfamily Ornithoctoninae reach 5” in diagonal leg span and also have vivid dark chevrons on a cream-colored abdomen. Along with other fossorial Cyriopagopus spp., C. albostriatus is often collected and eaten by folks living in remote regions in its range. So if one of these highly defensive spiders throws a threat posture at you, tip your hat and give them space- they have good reason to be ornery around people. 

Despite its infamous reputation as having a demeanor of something insane like a chest-burster in Ridley Scott’s “Alien”, most fossorial Cyriopagopus like C. albostriatus are quite shy and secretive tarantulas. They have zero interest in going after people- a common truth for most Old World tarantulas as a whole. These spiders are built like arachnid moles or soil submarines and love to burrow. They dive Bugs Bunny-style into their elaborate tunnels at the sight of light, but often can be seen at their burrow entrances in the evening and night waiting for prey. If maintained in a dark place with little disturbance, you can easily raise these magnificent spiders their entire lives without getting a single threat response. However, they are quick to startle and are ferociously defensive if spooked or cornered. This is definitely not a tarantula you should handle. They demand respect and a nice quiet place to excavate their tunnels and turret-like chimneys.

A cross-ventilated fossorial (burrowing) enclosure with deep substrate (~5 or 6” deep for adults) is essential for fossorial Cyriopagopus. They do well in airy, fluffy garden soils with lots of wood pulp and very little water-retentive soil amendments like peat and/or pure compost. Contrary to popular belief, fossorial Cyriopagopus fare best when the substrate is maintained on the drier side- almost bone dry in much of the cage for larger juveniles and adults. Just be sure to periodically mist a corner of the enclosure and/or provide a water bowl for larger specimens. Spiderlings should be maintained in well ventilated enclosures with just barely moist medium. The most common reason for death in captive Cyriopagopus is the substrate being kept excessively moist. If you have ever been interested in beautifully-patterned Old World Tarantulas, you should definitely not pass up the Thai Zebra.

References

Simon, E., 1886. Arachnides recueillis par MA Pavie (sous-chef du service des postes au Cambodge) dans le royaume de Siam, au Cambodge et en Cochinchine. Act. Soc. Linn. Bordeaux, 40, pp.137-166.