Anyone keeps C. meridionalis?

[MainMann]

Hello!
So I'm curious about this species. Looks pretty cool, but kinda hard to get insight about the species. I'm assuming that care should be similar to other ceratogyrus spp. Though what I'm even more curious about is the visibility of this species? Is it a pet hole, or still visible even though fossorial? And how're the growth rates of the species?

Thank you in advance! Maman

 

[dangerforceidle]

Hello!
So I'm curious about this species. Looks pretty cool, but kinda hard to get insight about the species. I'm assuming that care should be similar to other ceratogyrus spp. Though what I'm even more curious about is the visibility of this species? Is it a pet hole, or still visible even though fossorial? And how're the growth rates of the species?

Thank you in advance! Maman

I do keep this species, but it's the only one of the genus I keep, so I can't really answer behavioural comparison questions.

But, I keep her on dry substrate (lots of depth) with a water dish and a very occasional pour into the substrate. She's gone through periods where she has been relatively invisible, and some where she's out all the time. She's a stunner though, so the sightings are worthwhile. She likes to dig, and while she started with the cork bark and pre-made burrow, she quickly put her own plans into action. That entrance was sealed, and several iterations of the tunnel system came to be. The surface of the substrate will eventually become blanketed in silk, as well.

She has serious attitude.

Photo is very recent, taken immediately after a rehouse.

 

[MainMann]

I do keep this species, but it's the only one of the genus I keep, so I can't really answer behavioural comparison questions.

But, I keep her on dry substrate (lots of depth) with a water dish and a very occasional pour into the substrate. She's gone through periods where she has been relatively invisible, and some where she's out all the time. She's a stunner though, so the sightings are worthwhile. She likes to dig, and while she started with the cork bark and pre-made burrow, she quickly put her own plans into action. That entrance was sealed, and several iterations of the tunnel system came to be. The surface of the substrate will eventually become blanketed in silk, as well.

She has serious attitude.

Photo is very recent, taken immediately after a rehouse.

She's gorgeous! How would you compare her visibility with a balfouri if you've kept any?

 

[dangerforceidle]

She's gorgeous! How would you compare her visibility with a balfouri if you've kept any?

About the same. I have one M. balfouri that is quite reclusive, and one that is nearly always out. She's probably the average of the two, but out more often since she's added some size.

 

[MainMann]

About the same. I have one M. balfouri that is quite reclusive, and one that is nearly always out. She's probably the average of the two, but out more often since she's added some size.

Ah i see i see, and between the two, which do you "like" better?

 

[boina]

My C. meridionalis behave somewhat different. I actually had 1.3, but the male has since passed, so I've only the 3 females left. All of them have stopped burrowing completely at around large juvenile/subadult stage and are now always out and about, making quite elaborate webs. They are definitely more visible than my balfouris, who do tend to hide and are a lot more skittish. Meridionalis grows a lot faster than the rather slow growing balfouris, too. Actually, all of mine are rather calm for an African species, not even bothering to hide when I take their enclosures out from the shelf for maintenance. They just sit there and wait for food. All in all this is one of my all time favorite species and one of the easiest African tarantula to keep.

A slightly older pic:

C. meridionalis, juvenile female

• boina
• Nov 1, 2018
• ceratogyrus ceratogyrus meridionalis female grey mustard baboon tarantula meridionalis pterinochilus meridionalis zimbabwe grey baboon tarantula

the hornless unicorn ;)

 

[MainMann]

My C. meridionalis behave somewhat different. I actually had 1.3, but the male has since passed, so I've only the 3 females left. All of them have stopped burrowing completely at around large juvenile/subadult stage and are now always out and about, making quite elaborate webs. They are definitely more visible than my balfouris, who do tend to hide and are a lot more skittish. Meridionalis grows a lot faster than the rather slow growing balfouris, too. Actually, all of mine are rather calm for an African species, not even bothering to hide when I take their enclosures out from the shelf for maintenance. They just sit there and wait for food. All in all this is one of my all time favorite species and one of the easiest African tarantula to keep.

A slightly older pic:

C. meridionalis, juvenile female

• boina
• Nov 1, 2018
• ceratogyrus ceratogyrus meridionalis female grey mustard baboon tarantula meridionalis pterinochilus meridionalis zimbabwe grey baboon tarantula

the hornless unicorn ;)

Holy damn that's a beautiful spider! Meridionalis are also rarer here in Indonesia, while almost all breeders here have balfies. Might take the Meri just to have a T that's more out of the box

 

[The Grym Reaper]

Mine's only a juvenile so at the moment the most I see of it is legs when it's hungry and it's quick to disappear back inside when disturbed, it's dug a deep burrow with multiple entrances (I think 3 at last count). I don't have any other species from the genus to compare to as the horns don't really do it for me tbh.

Ceratogyrus meridionalis

• The Grym Reaper
• Aug 11, 2019
• ceratogyrus ceratogyrus meridionalis grey mustard baboon tarantula juvenile malawi grey baboon meridionalis pterinochilus meridionalis zimbabwe grey baboon tarantula

New suit for Smoke, some hints of grey coming through now.

 

[MainMann]

Mine's only a juvenile so at the moment the most I see of it is legs when it's hungry and it's quick to disappear back inside when disturbed, it's dug a deep burrow with multiple entrances (I think 3 at last count). I don't have any other species from the genus to compare to as the horns don't really do it for me tbh.

Ceratogyrus meridionalis

• The Grym Reaper
• Aug 11, 2019
• ceratogyrus ceratogyrus meridionalis grey mustard baboon tarantula juvenile malawi grey baboon meridionalis pterinochilus meridionalis zimbabwe grey baboon tarantula

New suit for Smoke, some hints of grey coming through now.

Real cool! Do they grow fast and web a lot? Would you reccomend a balfouri or a meridionalis more?

 

[The Grym Reaper]

Do they grow fast and web a lot?

Pretty fast and yes (which makes it a bit of a pain to see into its burrow).

Would you reccomend a balfouri or a meridionalis more?

Whichever you prefer, I've only had my 2 balfouri slings for a month, the balfouri slings are more visible but the meridionalis is a better eater.

 

[MainMann]

Pretty fast and yes (which makes it a bit of a pain to see into its burrow).



Whichever you prefer, I've only had my 2 balfouri slings for a month, the balfouri slings are more visible but the meridionalis is a better eater.

Thanks for the answer dude! Think I'll go for the meri. Being it's less common than a Balfouri, i think it'll make a fine addition to my collection! Thank youu

 

[AlbaArachnids92]

Reviving an older thread just to thank everyone. Always struggled to find some good reliable info, AB pulls through again!
I have finally found a UK dealer with CB juvi females been looking for one for ages...even had a sling arrive in bad nick and eventually die

 

[Metallattorney]

I have one, as well as several other ceratogyrus species. Care is the same. As far as behavior goes, mine is in its burrow most of the time, but does tend to come out somewhat frequently, just not very far. It seems a little more skittish than my darlingi, marshalli and sanderi. The slightest sound when doing stuff with its enclosure will send it back down its burrow.