Can anyone help identify this spider?

[Ron Westhead]

Hello BTS.

This is my first post on the site and I would like your help identifying this spider I purchased a couple of weeks ago. The pet store had him listed as a "Zebra Bird Eater?"

Since he arrived at his new home the spider has webbed constantly. It shows no interest in burrowing, It has a healthy appetite and a quick turn of speed when it wants to.



it also rears up with little provocation! a light misting of the tank and it acts like a cobalt.

The picture below doesn't show of it wonderful carapace colour which has a nice orange tone to it. and the abdomen has very distinct striping.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. And I hope to contribute to the site as my collection starts to grow again.

Many thanks

Ron

[matthew spooner]

hi ron, the common name of zebra bird eater, or to be more precise malaysian zebra bird eater is usually linked to the haplopema albostriata, which would explain your comparisons to the cobalt blue (haplopelma lividum). the albostriata is a species i like but not one that i have ever owned, in my opinion but i wouldnt take 100% notice of it as like i say i haven't owned one, that doesnt have the markings of an albostriata, although i dont know if there are any variations of albostriata and whether the males differ from the females in their appearance. i am sure there are plenty of people on here that would be able to clear this one up alot better for you

[chris raeburn]

hi ron,

At first glance i thought it similar to my Acanthogonatus francki.
Outstretched does it look like this? -

http://atshq.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12023

Chris

[Ray Gabriel]

hi ron,

At first glance i thought it similar to my Acanthogonatus francki.
Outstretched does it look like this? -

http://atshq.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12023

Chris

Yep I am with Chris here, I dont suppose you bought it from a store in Swindon? they have Acanthognatus labeled as Cyclosternum BECAUSE IT HAS STRIPES ON THE BUM.... need i say anymore?

[Ron Westhead]

Chris,

Brilliant! that's exactly how it looks. Many Thanks Comparing it to other pictures I have found it may be due a moult.

Ray - I live in Wrexham in Wales. The pet store I found here is very good, the just dont specialize in arachnids. But everything always looks extremely well looked after. I askes for a Latin name at the time and they didn't know it.

Are there any specialist Humidity/temperature requirements for this beauty?

Again Many thanks for your prompt and expert help

Ron

[chris raeburn]

Hi Ron,

i keep mine on the dry side of 'average', at approx 75degrees, and spray the web lightly once a week. They seem happy with this and i think of them as tough and easy. Mine just ball up when disturbed and aren't very defensive but i don't spray on them directly - more because they have a surprisingly leggy turn of speed and chasing any spider on the run gives me the willies!

all best,

chris