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Kahlenberg's tarantula
Tliltocatl kahlenbergi
A docile and hardy Mexican tarantula, featuring reddish abdominal hairs and a stocky build. Excellent choice for beginners in the tarantula keeping hobby.
Class:Arachnida
Order:Araneae
Family:Theraphosidae
Subfamily:Theraphosinae
Genus:Tliltocatl
Species:Tliltocatl kahlenbergi
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
60 - 75 %
Ambient temperature
24 - 26 °C
Day temperature
25 °C
Night temperature
20 - 22 °C
Substrate depth
>= 10 cm
UVB
None
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to the state of Veracruz in eastern Mexico. It inhabits dry forest zones and semi-humid scrublands, excavating burrows or seeking shelter under fallen logs and rocks.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belongs to the family Theraphosidae, genus Tliltocatl (formerly grouped under the genus Brachypelma). It is closely related to the popular Tliltocatl albopilosus.
Behavior and Habits: Terrestrial, very docile, and slowly-moving species. It is rarely defensive and does not easily bite, preferring to retreat into its burrow or kick urticating hairs when threatened.
Morphology: A medium-sized tarantula, reaching a body length of 5-6 cm and a leg span of 12-14 cm (around 5 inches). Features a velvety black coloration on its carapace and legs, with distinctive red or orange hairs covering the abdomen.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: A standard terrestrial terrarium of 12x12x12 inches (30x30x30 cm) is perfect. Provide a deep substrate layer (3-4 inches / 8-10 cm) of dry coconut fiber or peat moss to facilitate burrowing. Include a cork bark hide.
Lighting and Heating: Maintain temperatures around 24-26°C (75-79°F) during the day, with a drop to 20-22°C (68-72°F) at night. No specialized lighting is necessary.
Humidity and Hydration: Moderate humidity (60-70%). Mist one corner of the enclosure weekly and let it dry out before misting again. Provide a small, shallow water dish.
Feeding and Supplementation: Feed appropriately sized crickets, roaches, and mealworms. Adults should be fed once a week; spiderlings require more frequent feeding. No supplements are needed.
Compatibility: Strictly solitary. House individually to prevent fatal cannibalism.
Health and Common Diseases: Exceptionally hardy species. The primary danger is physical damage to the abdomen from falls, so do not provide high climbing areas. Keep the substrate dry to avoid mold.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Endemic to the state of Veracruz in eastern Mexico. It inhabits dry forest zones and semi-humid scrublands, excavating burrows or seeking shelter under fallen logs and rocks.
Origin
Central America and Caribbean
Terrestrial invertebrate profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 14 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Venom level
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 14 cm. The Herpeton Academy — Tliltocatl kahlenbergi source reports a maximum adult measurement of 14 cm for this species, recorded as diagonal leg span (DLS). The taxonomic record consulted is Tliltocatl kahlenbergi. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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