Brachypelma Tarantulas Caresheets

The genus Brachypelma has 21 known  species  and  native to parts of Central America and it's species are found in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama and Guatemala. They are known for their slow growth but life spans of around 20 years for females. This tarantulas are easy to keep and  a good choice for beginners. They are docile tarantulas whose individuals are easy to keep in a terrarium. Though calm, it may strike urticating hairs like new world tarantula use for defense. below are the available Brachypelma species that I have together with their caresheets.

Brachypelma boehmei Caresheets

It is a beautiful species of the brachypelma family. Their patellae, tibiae, and metatarsi are covered with red setae while their their tarsi and femurs are blackThey are most prone to throw urticating hairs when disturbed but also a type of tarantula which is good for beginners.  This is one of the best display tarantula that I have in my collection.

Common name: Mexican fireleg 

Class: Terrestrial

Temp/humidity: warm 70-78°F for the temperature & moderately dry [50-60% RH]

Housing:  Spiderlings can live in a small clear plastic deli-container with air holes poked with a pin. For adults, Floor space is more important than height, a deep substrate should be provided for burrowing.

Substrate: Use a substrate such as vermiculite, peat moss or coco fiber. 

Feeding: Spiderlings will eat pinhead crickets, and other small insects. Adults eat crickets, and other large insects such as lobster roaches. feed an adult twice a week. Uneaten prey should be removed after one day to prevent problems and attracting mites. 

Water requirements: For spider slings, misting the enclosure 2 times a week is enough. For adult, provide a water dish and misting the enclosure ones a week.

Growth: a slow growing tarantula

Size: 5 to 5.5 inches when fully grown.

Temperament: fairly docile species that like all Brachypelma will readily flick urticating hairs when disturbed

Brachypelma albopilosum Caresheet

B. albopilosum is a good choice for beginners because of of its docile and calm attitude. Curlyhair tarantulas have gold and tan hairs covering their bodies with bronze carapace. This is the only tarantula that has a curly hair covering its body and can be taken out and handled, although handling should not take place frequently because there's always the possibility of the tarantula falling off your hand that may result to death of the spider. This is one of best tarantulas that I have in my collection and one of the cheapest tarantula that you can buy to your local pet store.

Common name: Curlyhair

Class: Terrestrial.

Temp/humidity: 75-85 F (24-30 C) / 75-85%

Housing: Floor space is more important than height, a deep substrate should be provided for burrowing.

Substrate: four inches of substrate. On my enclosure I use a mix of coconut fiber/coco peat, vermaculate and peat moss.

Feeding: Give two (2) one-half inch B. dubia roaches or  adult crickets weekly for adult. For spiderlings feed them with pinhead crickets

Water requirements: For spider slings, misting the enclosure 2 times a week is enough. For adult, provide a water dish and misting the enclosure ones a week.

Growth: a slow growing tarantula

Size: 5 to 6 inches

Temperament: curly hair tarantulas are generally docile and calm.

Brachypelma smithi Caresheet

This a a suitable starter tarantula, due to it's docile temperament and one of the popular pet tarantulas in the hobby. The legs are black with stripes of orange variations. The carapace is usually creamy/beige with a distinctive black patch. It is a good display tarantula.

Common name:  Mexican redknee

Class: Terrestrial

Temp/humidity: 72-75 Farenheit / 65-70%

Housing: Floor space is more important than height, a deep substrate should be provided for burrowing.

Substrate: four inches of substrate. On my enclosure I use a mix of coconut fiber/coco peat, vermaculate and peat moss.

Feeding: Spiderlings will eat pinhead crickets, and other small insects. Adults eat crickets, other large insects such as lobster roaches.

Water requirements: For spider slings, misting the enclosure 2 times a week is enough. For adult, provide a water dish and misting the enclosure ones a week.

Growth: a slow growing tarantula

Size: 5.5″ – 6.5″ legspan 

Temperament: Consider docile and maybe skittish too.

Brachypelma emilia Caresheet

This is one of the docile tarantula that I have and handling is possible, but still not recommended due to their urticating hairs and skittish temperament. It has beautiful color of mahogany brown on the abdomen and legs are dark with distinct red hairs on the patella and tibia. Best also for beginners.

Common name: Mexican redeg

Class: Terrestrial

Temp/humidity: 75-85 F (24-30 C) / 65-70%

Housing: Floor space is more important than height, a deep substrate should be provided for burrowing.

Substrate: four inches of substrate. On my enclosure I use a mix of coconut fiber/coco peat, vermaculate and peat moss.

Feeding: Spiderlings will eat pinhead crickets, and other small insects. Adults eat crickets, other large insects such as lobster roaches.

Water requirements: For spider slings, misting the enclosure 2 times a week is enough. For adult, provide a water dish and misting the enclosure ones a week.

Growth: a very slow growing tarantula

Size: 5 to 6 inches

Temperament: This is a very docile and calm tarantula

Brachypelma vagans Caresheet

This specie doesn’t have the red color on its legs but it has a red abdomen. The carapace is edged with cream and has thin radiating lines of cream colouring. It is not a good choice for handling due to its being skittish, moves very quick and will flick urticating hairs. Best addition to your collection.

Common name: Mexican redrump 

Class: terrestrial/ burrower

Temp/humidity: 25-28°C (77-82.4°F)/ 75% humidity

Housing: Floor space is more important than height, a deep substrate should be provided for burrowing.

Substrate: four inches of substrate. On my enclosure I use a mix of coconut fiber/coco peat, vermaculate and peat moss.

Feeding: Spiderlings will eat pinhead crickets, and other small insects. Adults eat crickets, other large insects such as lobster roaches. It will readily consume larger prey.

Water requirements: For spider slings, misting the enclosure 2 times a week is enough. For adult, provide a water dish and misting the enclosure ones a week.

Growth: This is the only Brachypelma specie that has a fast growth rate compare to others

Size: 5 to 6 inches

Temperament: skittish but a docile specie

Brachypelma albiceps Caresheet

This tarantula has a golden carapace with jet black legs and black abdomen with a sprinkle of red hair. A must have tarantula and good for beginners.

Common name: Mexican Golden Red Rump

Class: terrestrial/burrower

Temp/humidity: 70-85 degrees/65%-80%  humidity

Housing: Floor space is more important than height, a deep substrate should be provided for burrowing.

Substrate: 3 inches of substrate. On my enclosure I use a mix of coconut fiber/coco peat, vermaculate and peat moss.

Feeding: Give two (2) inch B. dubia roaches or  6 adult crickets weekly for adult. For spiderlings feed them with pinhead crickets This specie is a good eater. 

Water requirements: For spider slings, misting the enclosure 2 times a week is enough. For adult, provide a water dish and misting the enclosure ones a week.

Growth: the growth rate is medium

Size: up to 6 inches

Temperament: This is a docile specie. 

Brachypelma annitha Caresheet

This specie is sometimes mistaken for Brachypelma smithi due to their markings on the legs. But there are difference on their carapace where in the B. smithi has a black carapace while B. annitha has no black at all.

Common name: Mexican Giant Orange Knee 

Class: terrestrial/burrower

Housing: Floor space is more important than height, a deep substrate should be provided for burrowing.

Substrate: 3 inches of substrate. On my enclosure I use a mix of coconut fiber/coco peat, vermaculate and peat moss.

Feeding: Give two (2) inch B. dubia roaches or  6 adult crickets weekly for adult. For spiderlings feed them with pinhead crickets This specie is a good eater. 

Water requirements: For spider slings, misting the enclosure 2 times a week is enough. For adult, provide a water dish and misting the enclosure ones a week.

Growth: the growth rate is medium

Size: 6 to 7 inches

Temperament: a docile tarantula but prone to kick urticating hairs