SPECIAL NOTE: USPS forbids shipping venomous spiders or scorpions in the mail.

Because of this, we ship these animals FedEx priority overnight for a flat fee of $39.99.

Defining Characteristics: 

• Easy to care For
• Great beginner tarantula
• Medium-sized
• Terrestrial, burrowing species

Name: The Curly Haired Tarantula is scientifically known as Tliltocatl albopilosus. This species' distinguishing feature is its long bristles that curl in a unique way, earning it the nickname "curly-haired" tarantula. T. albo was formerly Brachypelma albopilosum.

Recommended Enclosure Size & Setup: Being a primarily terrestrial species, the floor space of an enclosure is more important than it's height. A 10 gallon or 12x12 footprint glass terrarium makes a great enclosure, as do large critter keeper type cages. Make sure the enclosure has a secure mesh top to allow for ventilation.

Considering they love to burrow, the curly hair tarantula should be provided with at least 3-4 inches of substrate. ABG mix, coco cradle, or Dig-It are all good substrate options, but our Pet Bug Team prefers ABG all the way! If you'd like to go bioactive and utilize a clean-up crew of springtails and isopods, or you want to use live plants, we recommend Josh's Frogs Tropical BioBedding.

For this species, horizontal décor that the curly hair can take cover under is needed. Cork bark is an excellent choice as it doesn’t promote mold or bacterial growth, and doesn’t break down as easily as other types of wood. Include at least two different pieces of cork bark, ideally one of them being a cork bark tube to allow the spider an easy hiding place where it will feel safe.

Josh's Frogs sells a variety of tarantula kits that makes setup and care simple.

Temperature (°F): Temperatures should be kept around 75-80 degrees. If temps in your home are too low, a low wattage under tank heat pad can be utilized. A reliable thermometer is strongly recommended.

Humidity: Curly hair tarantulas are a grassland dweller and require a higher level of humidity. 70% relative humidity is ideal for this species. If the enclosure gets too dry, the tarantula can have difficulty molting, and this can lead to the disfiguring or even death of your spider.

To keep conditions humid, keep a small water dish or bottle cap full of water available at all times. The enclosure can also be misted, but be careful not to mist the spider—this can agitate the spider and result in bites or escape attempts. Misting can be down along the walls of the enclosure so it is absorbed by the substrate. Additionally, you can mist some of the webbing to allow the spider multiple places to get water. Reverse osmosis, distilled, or spring water can be used. If using tap water, make sure to use a quality water dechlorinator.

A hygrometer is a great way to monitor the humidity for your animal and see any needed adjustments.

Size: At the time of sale, these animals are at least 3/4 of an inch. Adults of this species range from 4-6 inches, both male and female.

Age: Curly hair tarantulas can be quite long-lived in captivity. Males live about 4 years, and females can easily live 20+ years if cared for properly!

Feeding: Our curly hair babies are eating 4-5 D. hydei fruit flies once per week. Slings should be offered food every 4-7 days, while adults can go a week, 2 weeks or more before it will accept a feeding.

We recommend that the prey items not be much longer than the tarantula's “head” is wide. Larvae are an exception—our larvae are harmless. Since they are very high in fat, they're not the best staple diet, however they make a great weight gain supplement.

Remove uneaten prey items after 24 hours, these may stress your animal out or endanger the spider during molting. Never attempt to feed a freshly molted tarantula less than a week after their molt to prevent injury to the spider. Depending on its age, the hardening process could take anywhere from 48 hours all the way up to a week.

Sexing: Due to age, Tliltocatl albopilosus sold by Josh’s Frogs are sold as unsexed. 

Coloration/Patterning: The curly hair tarantula, characterized in part by its chubby body, is adorned with dark brown to black hair that initially appears lighter during its younger stages and gradually darkens as it matures. Its body showcases a golden-bronze glow attributed to extensive gold hairs, notably dense on its hind legs.

Social Behavior: This tarantula is a terrestrial, burrowing species native to the neotropics. The juveniles tend to be a bit on the shy side, but as they mature this species will spend more and more time out in the open, although they may always retreat quickly to a burrow if surprised or threatened. This species does possess urticating hairs that can be flicked when the tarantula is alarmed. As they age, this species generally calms down and tolerates occasional handling.

History in the Hobby: This species has existed in the pet trade for decades and were once imported in huge numbers. Now on the CITES Appendix II list, virtually all curly hairs, including those sold at Josh's Frogs, are produced in captivity.

Links of Interest:

• Arachnoboards: a community of spider enthusiasts that will be able to or have already answered almost any question you can think of with regards to tarantulas.

Still not sure if Curly Hair Tarantulas from Josh's Frogs are the right pet invertebrate for you? Read the reviews below and see what other customers are saying!