Mexican pink tarantula (Brachypelma emilia)

Short answers

Mexican pink tarantula: How big does the enclosure need to be?

40×30×30 cm for an adult animal, better 45×45×45 cm; more floor area than height.

Mexican pink tarantula: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Mexican pink tarantula: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed (nocturnal).

Mexican pink tarantula: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: females 20–25 years, males approx. 4–5 years.

Mexican pink 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

60–70 %

UVB

No UVB needed (nocturnal)

Enclosure

Minimum size

40×30×30 cm for an adult animal, better 45×45×45 cm; more floor area than height

Substrate

A coco and soil mix, filling half to two thirds of the enclosure (room to dig, a short fall); a cork hide

Feeding

Food

Insects (house crickets, roaches, crickets)

Feeding interval

adults every 2–3 weeks, juveniles 1–2×/week

Key facts

Adult size

14–16 cm leg span

Life expectancy

females 20–25 years, males approx. 4–5 years

Origin

Mexico (Pacific scrubland and savannah)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B (the whole genus Brachypelma) – proof of origin required (the proof requirement under the German Federal Species Protection Ordinance)

Brumation

None (a slight seasonal drop in temperature is possible, but not essential)

Cohabitation

Keep them singly. Solitary, territorial 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 calm, robust beginner's species with a black triangle on the carapace and red-brown legs. A New World species with urticating hairs. No permanent wet – dry to moderately damp with a water dish always available; no temperatures permanently above 30 °C. Slow-growing and very long-lived. All animals in the trade are captive-bred.

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-knee tarantula (Brachypelma smithii) – Beginner
• Mexican flame knee tarantula (Brachypelma auratum) – Beginner
• Mexican golden red rump tarantula (Brachypelma albiceps) – Beginner
• Mexican pink tarantula (Brachypelma boehmei) – Beginner
• Mexican pink tarantula (Brachypelma klaasi) – Beginner
• Mexican red-knee tarantula (Brachypelma hamorii) – Beginner
• Amazon birdeater (Iridopelma hirsutum) – Intermediate
• Arizona blonde tarantula (Aphonopelma chalcodes) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Mexican pink tarantula (Brachypelma emilia) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (40×30×30 cm for an adult animal, better 45×45×45 cm; more floor area than height), substrate (A coco and soil mix, filling half to two thirds of the enclosure (room to dig, a short fall); a cork 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.