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.
Environnement
Terrestre
Humidité
65 - 80 %
Température diurne
21 - 29 °C
Température nocturne
20 - 24 °C
Description de l'espèce
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.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
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.
Origine et répartition géographiques
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.
Origine
Amérique centrale et Caraïbes
Profil d'invertébré terrestre
- Régime alimentaire
- Carnivore
- The diet of Tliltocatl vagans primarily consists of appropriately sized live insects, such as crickets, roaches, and mealworms. As opportunistic ambush predators, they will patiently wait at the entrance of their burrow for prey to pass by. Adult specimens may occasionally accept larger prey like superworms or even small pinky mice, although rodents should be offered rarely to avoid nutritional imbalances. It is crucial to ensure prey items are gut-loaded and not larger than the tarantula's abdomen to prevent potential injury during feeding.
- Taille adulte
- 16.5 cm
- Mode de vie/microhabitat
- Terrestrial
- Tliltocatl vagans is a terrestrial, burrowing species native to the scrublands and forests of Central America and Mexico. In captivity, they require a deep substrate to satisfy their natural instinct to dig and create elaborate burrows. While they do produce silk, it is mostly used to line their burrows and create sensory trip lines rather than large, elaborate web structures. A well-designed enclosure should focus on horizontal floor space and deep, somewhat moist soil to mimic their natural, humid microhabitat.
- Cycle d'activité
- Nocturnal
- This species is primarily nocturnal, becoming most active during the evening and nighttime hours to hunt and explore their territory. During the day, they typically remain hidden within their burrows or under available hiding spots to conserve energy and avoid daytime heat. Keepers might observe them engaging in web construction or minor earth-moving activities around the entrance of their hide during the darker hours. Providing low-intensity, indirect lighting can sometimes allow for evening observation without disturbing their natural rhythms.
- Sociabilité
- Solitary
- Tliltocatl vagans is strictly solitary and highly territorial. Housing multiple individuals together will inevitably lead to violent conflict and cannibalism. They must be kept in individual enclosures throughout their entire life cycle. Even males and females are only briefly introduced for mating under strict observation.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Reproduction in Tliltocatl vagans follows the typical tarantula mating process, starting with the male drumming on the female's web to gauge her receptivity. Once mating is successful, the female will construct an egg sac containing several hundred eggs, which she will fiercely guard in her burrow. Incubation usually lasts about six to eight weeks, after which the spiderlings emerge as miniature versions of the adults. Breeders must carefully monitor the mating process and separate the pair quickly afterward, as females can be highly cannibalistic towards the males.
- Venimeux
- Yes
- Tolérance aux manipulations
- With caution
- Handling Tliltocatl vagans is generally not recommended, as tarantulas are delicate creatures that do not benefit from human interaction. A fall from even a small height can rupture their abdomen, leading to fatal injuries. If moving the spider is absolutely necessary for enclosure maintenance, the safest method is to use a catch cup to gently corral and transfer the animal. Forcing interaction increases stress on the spider and raises the risk of getting flicked with highly irritating urticating hairs.
- Brumation
- Non requise
- Tliltocatl vagans does not undergo true brumation as they originate from tropical and subtropical climates that remain relatively warm year-round. However, they may experience periods of reduced activity and lower appetite if temperatures in the enclosure drop during the winter months. It is important to maintain a consistent temperature range of 75-80°F (24-27°C) to ensure their metabolic processes remain normal. Drastic temperature fluctuations should be avoided, as this can negatively impact the spider's health and feeding response.
- Mue
- Regular
- Molting is a critical and vulnerable process for Tliltocatl vagans, during which they shed their exoskeleton to grow. Leading up to a molt, the tarantula will typically refuse food, become lethargic, and the bald spot on its abdomen may darken significantly. During the actual molt, the spider will flip onto its back and slowly push out of its old skin, a process that should never be disturbed. After molting, the spider will need about a week or two for its new fangs and exoskeleton to harden completely before it can be offered food again.
Galerie d'images
Images sous licence liées à l'espèce ou, lorsqu'elles sont indiquées, au taxon représentatif le plus proche.
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