''Cyrtopholis femoralis'' is a

tarantula Tarantulas comprise a group of large and often hairy spiders of the family Theraphosidae. , 1,040 species have been identified, with 156 genera. The term "tarantula" is usually used to describe members of the family Theraphosidae, although m ...

species in the '' Cyrtopholis''

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nom ...

, it was first described by Reginald Innes Pocock in 1903, it is found in Montserrat, gaining it its common name as the Montserrat

. It is possible that ''Cyrtopholis femoralis'' may be made up of two species occupying distinct areas of Montserrat, investigating the presence of this species is important for the understanding of this species. The main known predator of this species is

Leptodactylus fallax ''Leptodactylus fallax'', commonly known as the mountain chicken or giant ditch frog, is a critically endangered species of frog that is native to the Caribbean islands of Dominica and Montserrat. The population declined by at least 80% from ...

, known as the

mountain chicken ''Leptodactylus fallax'', commonly known as the mountain chicken or giant ditch frog, is a critically endangered species of frog that is native to the Caribbean islands of Dominica and Montserrat. The population declined by at least 80% from ...

, or the

giant ditch frog ''Leptodactylus fallax'', commonly known as the mountain chicken or giant ditch frog, is a critically endangered species of frog that is native to the Caribbean islands of Dominica and Montserrat. The population declined by at least 80% from ...

Description

Females grow to about 40mm, and their lifespan is not known. This species color is a deep chestnut to greyish sometimes black color on their legs and body, with some lighter leg joints. With some pale brown to grey on the lower segments, though some darker specimens have been registered. Observation from captive individuals have shown their egg sack to be about 220 eggs.

Habitat

This

spider Spiders ( order Araneae) are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs, chelicerae with fangs generally able to inject venom, and spinnerets that extrude silk. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species ...

is thought to have been widespread across Montserrat, although most of it has been lost, it mainly inhabits natural areas, and those whom have been heavily modified. The main deciding factor of this

living area is the substrate, as a burrower it needs to well burrow, and its believed this

is widespread across Montserrat. Montserrat has average temperature are about 27°C, and the average yearly rainfall is 1600mm, the climate being subtropical.

Behavior

This

is probably a burrowing terrestrial

, and also shows some amount of community as juveniles, though as adults they seem to become more solitary. This species make 10 to about 15 cm long and about 5 cm wide burrows. This

s seem to be rather peaceful compared to other burrowing

s, as once a mating pair occupied the same tank for 12 hours.

Breeding Efforts

The

Chester Zoo Chester Zoo is a zoo at Upton-by-Chester, Cheshire, England. Chester Zoo was opened in 1931 by George Mottershead and his family. It is one of the UK's largest zoos at . The zoo has a total land holding of approximately . Chester Zoo is ope ...

obtained wild caught individuals from around July from 2013, though the age of this individuals where unknown. This zoo managed to breed this

in 2016, and they are being observed to understand their lifespan. This

have had some problems with their habitat, as invasive species, development and the volcanic development are major threats to this

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q1647298 Spiders described in 1903 Spiders of North America Theraphosidae