This spider was first described by Pocock in 1897 and is a native of Eastern Africa. It can be frequently found around Kenya and Mombasa where is can be found in rudimentary silk lined burrows. It is also found in shanty towns where it feeds on cockroaches.
This is a very attractive spider, with a very distinctive starburst pattern on the carapace. The carapace itself tends towards a dark brown/black colour and the starburst is made up of golden yellow hairs and is very distinctive.
The abdomen is described by Andrew Smith as 'An attractive tweed-like mixture of yellowish/olive/brown hairs'. He continues 'The long hairs on the abdomen have a distinct mustardy tinge.'
The legs have distinct white tufts of hairs on all leg joints with yellow striating lines running down the legs.
These are heavy web spinners and will cover their cages with thick swathes of web, even making their own retreat. Although these spiders are obligate burrows one of my own specimens spends most of its time in the web tubes it has spun in the plastic foliage that decorate its cage.
These spiders should not be handled, as they are considered very aggressive although my own specimens show no signs of aggression. They are however very skittish and can move very, very quickly!
The requirements in captivity are: As for keeping them as pets, many people keep these in large 12x12x12 (inches) tanks.
This species requires medium humidity levels (above 65%).
Substrate for the cage should be of peat/vermiculite mix, and should be at least 3 (preferably 4 to 6) inches deep. These spiders will dig deep burrows if the substrate is suitable.
An open water dish is a must; humidity must not fall below 60 percent!
Food: All standard invertebrates
Geographic Range: Kenya, Mombasa
Temperature: 70-80F
Humidity: 65-70%
Adult Legspan: 4-5 inches
Temperament: Very aggressive or a least very skittish.
You can find a picture of this spider on my site, see the URL below: http://chekware.simplenet.com/burrow/gallery/tarantulas/images/pterinoch ilus_murinus.jpg
[The URL above should all be treated as a single line.]
Jordan's Arachnid Page: a brief intro and habitat info
Lelle's Tarantula Page (English Version): A good intro and a picture
Mike Troll's Web Page: Mike's overview of P. murinus (scroll down)
Tarantula Terrain: housing and habitat
Trav's Tarantulas: Go to "Species Info"; "Our Current Collection"