Melopoeus minax — Fact Sheet

Melopoeus minax · Melopoeus minax

📋 At a glance

🏠 Enclosure

• Use the enclosure dimensions, heating, humidity, and safety values from the structured care profile and full care guide.

🪨 Enclosure furniture

• 25 cm of firmly compacted substrate for a stable deep tunnel
• Cork entrance or starter burrow positioned away from the service opening
• Shallow water dish accessible without forcing the spider from its retreat
• Secure lid, small service gap, and cross-ventilation with no escape-sized openings
• No heavy rocks, collapsing decor, claw-catching mesh, or tall empty fall space; prepare a catch cup

💡 Lighting

• No UVB or specialist display lamp required; normal room light is sufficient
• Photoperiod: 10-12 h of subdued ambient light; no night light
• Keep any plant or display light indirect and away from the burrow entrance
• Avoid bright overhead heat lamps that dry the surface and drive the spider deeper

🌡️ Temperature

• Basking spot: 24-27 °C
• Warm zone: 22-27 °C
• Cool zone: 20-23 °C
• Night: 20-23 °C

💧 Humidity & water

• Target 70-85% humidity as a ventilated gradient, with fresh water always available
• Keep the lower substrate lightly moist and allow the top layer to dry between water additions
• Keep spiderlings in smaller ventilated tubs with a moist lower layer and a drier surface
• During premolt, raise local burrow moisture toward 80-90% without flooding the tunnel
• Adjust watering and ventilation if mold, stale soil, or persistent condensation develops

🪳 Feeding

• Feed according to the prey type and schedule in the structured care profile; remove uneaten prey promptly.

🩺 Health — warning signs

• Watch for appetite loss, abnormal posture, injury, breathing issues, failed shedding or molting, and sustained weight loss.