The adorable defense tactics of Cyclosternum sp. Cundinamarca.

[klawfran3]

About two days ago I added a few more Cyclosternum sp. Cundinamarca slings, the "Bolivian Orange belly" tarantula, to my collection, as I have been very much enamored by them. As adults they have silvery legs, a gold carapace, and the bottom of their opisthosoma is a very bright orange. They're an amazing dwarf species that have great colors and personality, have a unique look, and on top of it display probably the cutest behavior I've seen. This species, when disturbed or scared, doesn't kick hairs or threat display (but will try and bolt if given the chance) and instead lifts their opisthosoma up towards potential attackers and shakes it around. I believe its an attempt to startle attackers with the bright orange butt, to hopefully give the spider a bit more time to escape when the predator hesitates.

It's been difficult to try and get this behavior on film because they usually will bolt under some leaflitter, but today while doing maintenance one of the new slings decided it wanted to stand up to me and show itself off! Unfortunately he doesn't have adult colors yet so it doesn't look as dramatic, but I hope this can be a good example of why I love this species so much and how cute this behavior is!
View attachment 20231116_070927~2.mp4

 

[fcat]

Well this is heckin cute. Thank you, we need all need to start our days off by watching this.

 

[Woody72]

"I wave my orange bottom in your general direction!" .

 

[viper69]

Gutsy

 

[Tentacle Toast]

Well, now that's something special, LoLoL. What a brave little spider, giving you the business...
Glad you got that on film, LoL

 

[BoyFromLA]

To think that an abdomen is the most crucial part of it’s body, it is such a risky, and bold move at the same time indeed.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Should rename it the bobbing orange booty tarantula. Funny it defends itself with its most fragile spot but hey it must work???

 

[snowbud97]

Apologies for lurking on such an old thread, but I’m thinking about getting one, and I’m seeing some contradictory information online about whether this a terrestrial or fossorial tarantula. Has yours done a lot of burrowing?

 

[inquisitivechemist]

Apologies for lurking on such an old thread, but I’m thinking about getting one, and I’m seeing some contradictory information online about whether this a terrestrial or fossorial tarantula. Has yours done a lot of burrowing?

I have a 2 inch one that has been burrowed for 6 months. This is the only tarantula I wish I hadn't bought.

 

[fcat]

This little tarantula was already living rent free in my head

I'm so glad this got revived

Now where do I find one?

@snowbud97 I try to treat all my terrestrials as if they were fossorials by giving them ample substrate. What you want to take into consideration is the size of the specimen, as well as your experience/comfort level...a tiny T in a deep enclosure has a higher propensity to get "lost." This making it harder to observe them....many of us only feed based on the size of the abdomen and withhold food accordingly.

Basically, are you ready to not see a T for 6 months and be confident that it's still alive because you can anticipate an upcoming molt?

Also, when you consider the max size of this specimen, a terrestrial setup versus a fossorial setup...we are talking a few inches right? You can decide if you want to meet it's needs while you become better acquainted with each other, or if you want to give it the world and risk a Schrodingers box situation....do I have a happy T or a dead one