Texas brown tarantula (Aphonopelma hentzi)

Short answers

Texas brown tarantula: How big does the enclosure need to be?

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

Texas brown tarantula: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–28 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Texas brown tarantula: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed (nocturnal).

Texas brown tarantula: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: females 20–30 years, males 5–8 years.

Texas brown tarantula: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–28 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

50–60 % (dry, water bowl)

UVB

No UVB needed (nocturnal)

Enclosure

Minimum size

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

Substrate

A dry sand-loam and coco humus mix, 8–12 cm; a cork hide, a shallow water dish

Feeding

Food

Insects (house crickets, roaches, crickets, locusts)

Feeding interval

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

Key facts

Adult size

12–14 cm leg span (body ~5–6 cm)

Life expectancy

females 20–30 years, males 5–8 years

Origin

The southern USA (Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana)

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; no special registration duties

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Single housing. Solitary and cannibalistic; no pair/group housing. The reason is not conflict but predation: these animals take anything that fits in their mouths, and a second animal in the enclosure is included.

Notes

One of North America's commonest tarantulas and decidedly calm — it would rather walk away than threaten. It takes room temperature without extra heating and needs no humidity. It grows very slowly, but it lasts for decades.

Do you keep this species?

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All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Texas brown tarantula (Aphonopelma hentzi) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (30×30×30 cm (floor area matters more than height)), substrate (A dry sand-loam and coco humus mix, 8–12 cm; a cork hide, a shallow water dish), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.