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Mexican black tarantula
Tliltocatl schroederi
A wonderfully docile, uniform dark-colored terrestrial tarantula originating from Mexico, highly valued by keepers for its exceptionally calm disposition and incredible ease of care in terrariums.
Class:Arachnida
Order:Araneae
Family:Theraphosidae
Subfamily:Theraphosinae
Genus:Tliltocatl
Species:Tliltocatl schroederi
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
50 - 60 %
Ambient temperature
24 °C
Day temperature
25 °C
Night temperature
20 °C
Substrate depth
>= 15 cm
UVB
None
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat:
Tliltocatl schroederi (formerly Brachypelma schroederi) is a tarantula endemic to Mexico, with populations concentrated primarily within the state of Oaxaca. This species inhabits semi-arid environments, dry deciduous forests, and thorny scrublands. It lives in burrows excavated in the ground under rocks, fallen logs, or at the base of vegetation, protecting it from high daytime temperatures.
Taxonomy and Genetics:
Belonging to the family Theraphosidae and the genus Tliltocatl (recently separated from Brachypelma), Tliltocatl schroederi is closely related to species like *T. vagans*. Genetics and taxonomy define it as a distinct species characterized by the lack of red hairs on the abdomen, a uniform black coloration, and a notably slow growth rate.
Behavior and Habits:
It is a terrestrial, nocturnal, and sit-and-wait predator. It spends the day inside its burrow, the entrance of which is often webbed closed, and emerges at night to hunt. It is known for its exceptionally calm and docile temperament, rarely displaying defensive postures or kicking urticating hairs unless severely provoked.
Morphology:
It exhibits a robust body shape typical of Central American terrestrial tarantulas. Adults reach a leg span of approximately 12 to 14 centimeters. The coloration is a solid, velvety coal-black over the entire body, carapace, and legs, lacking the red or orange leg bands found in other genus members. Juveniles are dark gray before darkening.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup:
Requires a terrestrial terrarium measuring at least 30x30x30 cm for an adult specimen. The substrate should consist of a mix of chemical-free peat moss, coco fiber, and a small percentage of sand, kept at least 8 to 10 cm deep to allow burrowing. A curved piece of cork bark must be provided as a starter hide.
Lighting and Heating:
Does not require special lighting; ambient room light is sufficient. Avoid placing the enclosure in direct sunlight. The ideal daytime temperature is between 24°C and 27°C (75°F to 80°F), with a nighttime drop to 20°C-22°C (68°F-72°F). Heat can be provided using a thermostatically controlled heating mat placed on one side of the tank.
Humidity and Hydration:
Humidity should be kept moderate to low, around 50% to 60%. The substrate must be kept mostly dry, with only a small corner near the water dish lightly misted once a week. A shallow, clean water dish must always be present in the terrarium to allow the tarantula to drink safely.
Feeding and Supplementation:
Feeds on live insects of appropriate size. Crickets, roaches (such as Blaptica dubia or red runners), and locusts are ideal prey. Adults should be fed once every 1 to 2 weeks, while spiderlings require more frequent feeding. Vitamin or calcium supplements are not required. Remove uneaten insects within 24 hours.
Compatibility:
Like almost all tarantulas, Tliltocatl schroederi is strictly solitary. Specimens must be housed individually in separate terrariums. Cohabitation will lead to cannibalism, regardless of sex or size. Breeding attempts must be closely supervised, and the male must be removed immediately after mating is completed.
Health and Common Diseases:
The primary hazard is physical trauma from falls, which can rupture the abdomen and is usually fatal; therefore, the height of the terrarium above the substrate must not exceed 1.5 times the leg span. During a molt, the tarantula lies on its back and must not be disturbed. Never leave live feeder insects in the tank during molting.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Tliltocatl schroederi (formerly Brachypelma schroederi) is a tarantula endemic to Mexico, with populations concentrated primarily within the state of Oaxaca. This species inhabits semi-arid environments, dry deciduous forests, and thorny scrublands. It lives in burrows excavated in the ground under rocks, fallen logs, or at the base of vegetation, protecting it from high daytime temperatures.
Origin
Central America and Caribbean
Terrestrial invertebrate profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 15 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 15 cm. The The Tarantula Collective — Tliltocatl schroederi source reports a maximum adult measurement of 15 cm for this species, recorded as diagonal leg span (DLS). The taxonomic record consulted is Tliltocatl schroederi. 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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