Melopoeus longipes — Fact Sheet
Melopoeus longipes · Melopoeus longipes
📋 At a glance
| Adult size | 13-16 cm |
| Lifespan | 8-20 years |
| Subspecies | No recognized captive-care subspecies |
| Origin | Thailand, Cambodia, Laos |
| Activity | Nocturnal |
| Difficulty | Expert |
| Legal | CITES: not listed; EU: not listed; local rules still apply |
🏠 Enclosure
- Secure fossorial enclosure; no routine handling
- Adult setup: about 30 x 30 x 45 cm with 20-25 cm or more of compactable substrate
- Provide starter burrow, water dish, ventilation, and secure service openings
- Avoid heavy decor that can collapse into the burrow
🌡️ Temperature
- Warm zone: 22-27 °C
- Cooler area: 20-23 °C
- Night: 20-23 °C
💧 Humidity & Water
- Water dish always available for juveniles and adults
- Keep lower substrate lightly moist, not saturated
- Surface can dry somewhat between water additions
- Never flood the burrow
🪳 Feeding
- Feed crickets, roaches, locusts where available, and occasional worms
- Adults usually eat every 7-14 days
- Drop prey near the burrow entrance and remove uneaten prey
🩺 Warning Signs
- Collapsed burrow, exposed surface sitting, shrinking abdomen, weak movement, mold, or failed molt