Haploclastus devamatha (LSD Earth Tiger) 0.5"

Photo by Arachnida

Husbandry Recommendations

This is a fossorial spider, so it will require an enclosure which offers more vertical space than floor space. The rule-of-thumb for the height of the enclosure is 3-4x leg span minimum. We recommend this spider be housed in the Spider Haus 3x3x6". This would be a suitable enclosure for several months up to a year.  As the spider grows, consider taller/deeper enclosures that are top-opening. They will need room to burrow and cross ventilation is not necessary. Juveniles and adults would do well in Spider Haus 'Haplotanks' which were designed specifically for fossorial spiders. Fossorial spiders will burrow, and need more depth of substrate. So, fill up the enclosure 2/3 - 3/4 full. Our choice of substrate is a unique blend of coco and other organic materials - Hunter's Premium Substrate. This substrate will retain humidity, allow for sturdy burrows, and resist mold or fungal growth. Offering a cork bark flat can offer cover for the spider until it begins to burrow. Finalize the enclosure by adding Sphagnum Moss, Mixed Leaf Litter, or Magnolia Leaves for aesthetic. Some fossorial spiders build intricate turrets. They will use the organic material available to them to do so. 

We anticipate a necessary level of moisture in the substrate for this species. Soaking a corner once a week should be sufficient. You can alternate corners. The substrate should never be fully dried out. However, we also want to avoid sopping wet substrate or standing water. 

Common tools which would be helpful in caring for this spider include tweezers. These are used for feeding, cleaning, and rearranging the enclosure if needed. Another useful tool is a Mister. This allows for controlled and purposeful watering. 

Our suggestion for feeders is small crickets. At this size, this spider will eat a cricket up to 0.5", which is about 3-4 weeks old. Other small insect feeders also work - red runners, dubia roach, mealworms (smash the heads first).