Mexican Red Rump Tarantula

Looks how to spot one

Exoskeleton with urticating hairs

This tarantula has a deep, velvety black body covered in fine hairs. The most striking feature is the bright red to reddish-brown setae (hairs) on the top of the abdomen, which gives it the common name 'red rump'. Females also have reddish-brown hairs on their third and fourth pairs of legs. The entire body is robust and sturdy.23

Personality what they are like

As a spiderling or juvenile, this tarantula can be quite defensive and quick to retreat or flick urticating hairs. However, mature adults are usually calm and docile, making them good display animals. They can still become defensive if provoked, rearing up or kicking hairs, but they rarely bite. Some individuals have mood swings, being passive one day and feisty the next.35

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Low activity needs. As a terrestrial, burrowing species, it spends most of its time in its burrow or hiding place. It does not require exercise or enrichment beyond a suitable enclosure with deep substrate for digging.34

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Minimal grooming is needed. The main care tasks are maintaining proper humidity (50-60%) and temperature (70-78°F day, 68-75°F night), providing a clean water dish, and removing uneaten prey. Spiderlings need slightly higher humidity and a light misting once a week. After a moult, wait 24-48 hours before feeding to allow the exoskeleton to harden.43

Home where they are happiest

A terrestrial enclosure with plenty of ventilation, such as a plastic critter keeper. Provide a deep (at least 4-5 cm), well-draining substrate like organic cactus soil, dry coconut coir, or a peat moss/vermiculite mix to allow burrowing. Include a hiding place (e.g., cork bark) and a small, shallow water dish. The enclosure should be at least three times the tarantula's leg span in size to prevent escape and injury. Avoid tall enclosures to prevent falls.34

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Feed on live insects. Spiderlings eat flightless fruit flies, confused flour beetles, or tiny crickets. Juveniles and adults eat crickets, dubia roaches, superworms, and grasshoppers. Feed spiderlings twice a week, juveniles every 7-10 days, and adults every 2-3 weeks. Remove any uneaten prey after 24 hours.345

Company who they like around

Solitary. This tarantula must be housed alone as it is cannibalistic. It does not need or benefit from social interaction with other tarantulas or humans. Handling is not recommended as it can stress the spider and cause it to flick urticating hairs, which can irritate skin and eyes.23

The story where it all began

The Mexican Red Rump Tarantula has been a staple in the pet trade since at least the early 1970s, when it was commonly imported into Miami, Florida. It was originally classified in the genus Brachypelma but was moved to the new genus Tliltocatl in 2020. Its popularity stems from its striking appearance, hardy nature, and generally docile temperament as an adult, making it a favourite among both beginner and intermediate tarantula keepers. A notable event occurred in 1996 when a population was discovered in a citrus grove in St. Lucie County, Florida, likely established from escaped or released pets.263

Recognised by the official bits

World Spider Catalog

Lists Tliltocatl vagans (Ausserer, 1875) as the accepted scientific name, with Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize as its natural range.6

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