Encyclopaedia
Terrestrial invert.TerrestrialEasy
©AI Generated·Proprietary
Mexican Red Rump
Tliltocatl vagans
The red-rump tarantula, famous for the contrast between its velvet-black body and bright red abdominal hairs. Active, fast-growing, hardy, and moderately docile.
Class:Arachnida
Order:Araneae
Family:Theraphosidae
Subfamily:Theraphosinae
Genus:Tliltocatl
Species:Tliltocatl vagans
Share
Check out Mexican Red Rump on Atlarium
Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
65 - 80 %
Day temperature
21 - 29 °C
Night temperature
20 - 24 °C
UVB
None
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to Mexico and Central America, where it inhabits tropical rainforests, scrublands, and agricultural fields. They are fossorial spiders that excavate deep burrows under roots or rocks to escape temperature extremes.
Taxonomy and Genetics: A medium-to-large tarantula with a velvet-black carapace, chelicerae, and legs. Its most distinctive feature is the bulbous abdomen covered in dense, long, bright red or scarlet hairs. Leg span can reach up to 16 cm in adult females.
Behavior and Habits: Known for being active burrowers that rearrange their substrate and line their tunnels with thick silk. Their temperament varies; while some are calm, others can be nervous and quick to kick urticating hairs from their abdomen when disturbed.
Morphology: Females are much larger, heavier, and live longer (up to 20 years), while males are smaller, slender, leggy, and live only a few months after reaching maturity.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires a horizontal terrarium (minimum 30x30x30 cm). The substrate is crucial: provide at least 10–15 cm of damp peat or coconut fiber compacted well to support burrowing without collapsing. Include a curved cork bark hide and a shallow water dish.
Lighting and Heating: Keep the enclosure in a warm room at 24–26°C. They are photophobic and do not require any direct lighting; high-intensity light can cause stress. Use thermostatically controlled heat mats on the side of the enclosure, never on the bottom.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain humidity levels between 65% and 75%. Keep the lower layers of the substrate damp by pouring water down one corner of the enclosure, leaving the surface dry. Ensure good ventilation to prevent mold.
Feeding and Supplementation: Highly active predators. Feed adults one large cricket or roach every 15–20 days. Avoid overfeeding to prevent their abdomen from becoming dangerously obese and prone to rupture from small falls. Remove uneaten prey.
Compatibility: Solitary. Cannibalistic behavior is common; they must be housed individually. Introduce sexes only for supervised breeding purposes.
Health and Common Diseases: The main risks are abdominal rupture from falls, and dehydration. If stressed, they kick urticating hairs that cause severe skin irritation and temporary blindness if they contact the eyes. Avoid handling.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Native to Mexico and Central America, where it inhabits tropical rainforests, scrublands, and agricultural fields. They are fossorial spiders that excavate deep burrows under roots or rocks to escape temperature extremes.
Origin
Central America and Caribbean
Terrestrial invertebrate profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- No verified data available
- 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
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.
