Mike's Basic Tarantula
A Basic Site for the Tarantula enthusiast
Brachypelma baumgarteni
Common name: Mexican Orange Beauty
Indigenous: Central America, Mexico
Habitat: savanna, scrubland
Temp/humidity: 70°-85° (21.1°-29.4°C) degrees/65%-80%  humidity; I keep this species temperature at 80° (26.6°C) 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 (10.16cm) as sub-adult-adult.
Substrate: I use three inches (7.62cm) of substrate in vial and four inches 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 an 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. I give my Mexican Orange Beauty (2) B. dubia roaches or seven (7) - adult crickets weekly. This species is a 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 purchased my girls as spiderlings of 1/4" (0635cm) in size. After the first year she 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 (15.24cm) inches. Mine is five inches (12.7cm)
Temperament: This is a docile species. The=is species is less skittished than the B. smithi. It has never kicked hair at me nor given a threat pose.
Comments: Again, this is a species that name give its appearance away. The Mexican Orange Beauty has more orange on the legs than the B. smithi and is not often seen in the hobby. It is an honor to own this species. Expect a long life out of this beauty.
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