Description Columbian red-legs are large, impressive animals who possess an interesting array of defensive skills that make them unique amongst Tarantulas. When threatened, GRL's will first bob up and down with their rear pointed toward a disturbance, giving the appearance of a very much larger and more vigorous animal. If this does not deter the threat, the spider can spin round quickly attempting to strike at any intruder with the sharp spines located on it's rear legs. They can also flick urticating hair, and really don't like being disturbed, so this a species to consider not disturbing very often. Most of the time they will live underground, so tank maintenance at floor level shouldn't interfere with or annoy the spider too much. Housing These tarantulas are obligate burrowers, and so do not make good display spiders, and their housing needs to have very deep layers (at least 5") of peat moss or something similar to allow them to burrow, tunnel and dig their own retreat. In practice this can be started for them by beginning a tunnel entrance, or providing a small hide somewhere in the tank. Tank decoration is pointless, and the spider will spend so little time at ground level that providing textures and surfaces here will only provide unnecessary places for crickets to hide, and is only there for aesthetics. However a water bowl is necessary both to drink from and to provide high humidity. Room temperatures are fine - these are one of the few spiders who do not require additional heat to be provided except during periods of excessive cold (here in the UK). Feeding These animals eat largely the same diet as any other tarantula - that is to say as adults they can be fed large crickets, roaches, locusts, or even small invertebrates on occasion. Smaller slings need smaller food of the same type, so pinhead crickets, fruit flies, and waxworms can all be offered to younger spiders. Temperament Often reported to be easily agitated, and defensive, these are not a beginner species to keep, but like all spiders, presents no real problem as long its space is not intruded upon. However tank maintenance should be performed with caution because these animals are very quick to take offence at any disturbance going on around them, and will feel the need to make their presence known if they happen to be anywhere near the site of the activity. Not a species that will usually tolerate handling either, and people that try may end up wishing they hadn't. Notes Columbian red-legs are slow growing and quite long-lived by tarantula standards - females can be expected to live for around 20 years, with males usually living substantially less, as is typical of tarantulas. These are very beautiful animals who look truly spectacular after a moult, should you be lucky enough to get to see them in this state - their shy and secretive burrowning habits and lack of basking behaviour certainly don't guarantee this opportunity. If you seek to avoid keeping the proverbial 'pet hole', this is probably not a spider for you.
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