Mexican red rump tarantula (Tliltocatl vagans)

Short answers

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

30×30×30 cm (floor area matters more than height).

Mexican red rump tarantula: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Mexican red rump tarantula: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed (nocturnal).

Mexican red rump tarantula: How long do they live?

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

Mexican red rump 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 (floor area matters more than height)

Substrate

A coco humus or soil and sand mix they can dig in, 8–12 cm deep, plus a cork hide

Feeding

Food

Insects (house crickets, roaches, crickets, locusts); prey smaller than the animal's body length

Feeding interval

adults approx. 1×/week or every 10–14 days, juveniles 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

12–14 cm leg span

Life expectancy

females approx. 15–20 years, males approx. 5 years

Origin

Mexico (Yucatán), Belize, Guatemala

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Regulation Annex B (formerly Brachypelma) – proof of origin (a breeding certificate) is required when buying

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Keep them singly. Strictly solitary and cannibalistic; no pairs or groups, only supervised breeding (the female can eat the male)

Notes

A robust, calm ground dweller and a good way in; when disturbed it flicks bombardier and urticating hairs (irritating to skin and eyes) and can rear up. Keep the basic conditions dry with a water bowl; avoid waterlogging.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Mexican red rump tarantula (Tliltocatl vagans) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Curly hair tarantula (Tliltocatl albopilosus) – 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 Mexican red rump tarantula (Tliltocatl vagans) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (30×30×30 cm (floor area matters more than height)), substrate (A coco humus or soil and sand mix they can dig in, 8–12 cm deep, plus 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.