"Usambara"
(Pterinochilus sp.)

This spider died of unknown causes on 04/09/2001. The information below has not been changed. Quick stats:
Type: Semi-arboreal
Size (approx): 5" legspan
Feeding: Large crickets, roaches
Enclosure: 5.5 Gallon aquarium
Substrate: 4-5" deep peat/bed-a-beast
Furnishings: Cork bark shelter, plastic water dish
Temp/Humidity: 80-84°F, 50-60% humidity
Temperment: Aggressive
Purchased on: 05/14/2000

Usambara's photo album

 Usambara
Don't mess with dinner.

Species Information:
Right now, there is some debate about what species this really is. Usambara is an illegal common name (hence the quotes). The current word is that the "Usambara" varieties (orange and red) are probably just highland color morphs of P. murinis, though it is still possible they are a separate species. Whatever it is, "Usambara" is the only real way to get across what you're talking about right now when you want to mention this species. They are beautiful monsters though! This species is supposedly from the Usambara region of Africa (near Kenya)? They like it dry and live in a variety of opportunistic retreats (i.e. anywhere they can find shelter, even off the ground).

Feeding:
Crickets disappear in the middle of the night and roaches rarely remain in the morning... 		  Crickets! Mmmmm, tasty!
"C" is for crickets, and that's good enough for me.

Housing:
She lives in a 5.5 gallon aquarium with a cork bark shelter and about 4-5" of substrate. The top is a screened lid. The cage was initially too moist (this species likes it DRY), so I left tons of ventialation to let it dry out. She only climbed across the top when she first moved in (before she found the shelter), so I'm not too worried about her getting her feet stuck (which didn't happen the way it did with bob when she was climbing around). Also, a stuffy, too humid cage can be a serious danger to this species.

She webbed herself into the retreat provided, though she busts out of it at night, and can usually be seen near the entrance in any circumstance. She's also done some burrowing as evidenced by the amount of dirt that has been moved out.

She likes it dry - about 50% humidity. A water dish is provided, and she seems to like dumping dirt into it! The temp is about 80-84°F.

Temperment:
She's a firey, psycotic beast. Fortunately, she's not prone to running around like the cobalt, but she'll basically flip over backwards in her threat position, striking at the air, jumping around and hissing. Combined with her bright, firey colors, she closely resembles a flaming ball of death. Not to be messed with at all!

Molting:
A molt occured sometime in the several weeks prior to the week of 10/25/2000. I think.

Copyright ©1999-2010 Thomas Schumm