Curly hair tarantula (Tliltocatl albopilosus)

Short answers

Curly hair tarantula: How big does the enclosure need to be?

30×30×30 cm.

Curly hair tarantula: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Curly hair tarantula: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed (nocturnal).

Curly hair tarantula: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: females 15–20+ years, males 5–6 years.

Curly hair tarantula: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

65–75 %

UVB

No UVB needed (nocturnal)

Enclosure

Minimum size

30×30×30 cm

Substrate

Slightly damp coco humus, 5–8 cm (an opportunistic digger); a cork or bark hide

Feeding

Food

Insects (house crickets, roaches, crickets)

Feeding interval

adults 1×/week, juveniles 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

13–16 cm leg span

Life expectancy

females 15–20+ years, males 5–6 years

Origin

Central America (Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Honduras)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B (the protected status was retained when it was split off from Brachypelma) – proof of origin required (the proof requirement under the German Federal Species Protection Ordinance)

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Keep them singly. Solitary and cannibalistic – keep them on their own. The reason is not fighting but feeding: these animals take anything that fits in the mouth, and a second animal in the enclosure counts.

Notes

A classic beginner's species: calm, robust and long-lived; named for its long "curly" hairs. A New World species with urticating hairs. Formerly Brachypelma albopilosum; almost all animals are captive-bred. Substrate slightly damp, not wet.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

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Related species

• Mexican red rump tarantula (Tliltocatl vagans) – Beginner
• Schroeder's red rump tarantula (Tliltocatl schroederi) – Beginner
• Verdez' red rump tarantula (Tliltocatl verdezi) – Beginner
• Amazon birdeater (Iridopelma hirsutum) – Intermediate
• Arizona blonde tarantula (Aphonopelma chalcodes) – Beginner
• Pinktoe tarantula (Avicularia avicularia) – Beginner
• Cobalt blue tarantula (Cyriopagopus lividus) – Expert
• Gooty sapphire ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria metallica) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Curly hair tarantula (Tliltocatl albopilosus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (30×30×30 cm), substrate (Slightly damp coco humus, 5–8 cm (an opportunistic digger); a cork or bark hide), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.