Mike's Basic Tarantula

A Basic Site for the Tarantula enthusiast

Brachypelma albicep

Common name: Mexican Golden Redrump

Indigenous: Mexico

Habitat: savanna, scrubland

Temp/humidity: 70°-85° (21.1°-29.4°)/65%-80%  humidity; I keep this species temperature at 80° degrees and the humidity at 65-70%. I wet one half side of the terrarium where the water dish is then allow it to dry out completely.

Enclosure: Use a spiderling vial that will allow at least three inches (7.62cm) of substrate for burrowing and four inches (7.62cm) as sub-adult-adult.

Substrate: I use three inches (7.62cm) of substrate in vial and four inches (10.16cm) in terrarium. (I use a mixture of peat moss, vermiculite, coconut fiber and dirt for firmness, as the substrate).

Retreat/Hide: Place a bark for a starter burrow hide. This is a opportunistic burrower. When they reach three inches (7.62cm), they stay out in the open more than in their hide, which make them a good display tarantula

Food Consumption: I first fed her fruit flies, than when she reached 1/2" (1.27cm) I introduced baby crickets. Now I give my Mexican Golden Redrump (2) B. dubia roaches or seven (7) - adult crickets weekly. This species is aN excellent eater.

Water Requirements: I keep a water dish in the tank. I have never seen mine drink.

Growth Rate: The growth rate of this species is medium. I received two of my girls as spiderlings of 1/8" (0.3175cm) in size. After the first year they had grown to one and a half inch (3.81cm). With constant feeding and with temperatures in the low to mid 80's, they reached a size of three inches within three years.

Adult Size: I read that they grow to six inches (15.24cm). After seven years they are a robust six and one-half inches (16.51cm)

Temperament: This is a docile species. It has never kicked hair at me nor given a threat pose.

Comments: This is a beautiful spider. The jet black legs and pumpkin orange carapace with red hair on the abdomen make this a must have tarantula for display. It is docile and easy to care for. Mine are like pet rocks.

All rights reserved, ©

All photos on this website are courtesy of Mike Basic Tarantula unless stated otherwise. It's prohibited to copy without permission of author.