SpeciesCurly hair tarantula
Curly hair tarantula
Tliltocatl albopilosus
Indestructible and undemanding, with markedly curled hair. It forgives husbandry mistakes better than most other species and feeds reliably.
- Group
- Spider
- Level
- Beginner
- Origin
- Central America
Where the species comes from
- World region
- Central America
- Countries
- Costa Rica, Honduras and Nicaragua
- Habitat
- Warm dry forests and open areas with loose soil
The app does not yet hold an origin entry for this species. The distribution given here comes from the specialist literature.
The natural habitat is the yardstick for how you furnish an enclosure. Knowing where an animal comes from is knowing why it needs heat zones, hides and a particular humidity.
Husbandry at a glance
The same details appear in the animal’s profile inside the app.
- Enclosure
- Ground dweller, likes to burrow. 30 × 30 × 30 cm with deep substrate.
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C.
- Humidity
- 65–75 %, evenly slightly moist.
- Lighting
- No lighting needed.
- Substrate
- 10–15 cm, deep enough for extensive tunnels.
- Furnishings
- A cork tube, some moss. The spider webs up its entrance.
- Water
- Shallow water dish.
- Feeding
- Weekly; feeds more reliably than most species.
- Behaviour
- Calm and easy to watch, because it often shows itself.
- Handling
- Do not pick up.
- Cohabitation
- Keep singly.
- Health
- Robust. Watch for dried shed remnants on the legs.
- Seasonal cycle
- No pronounced rest period is needed.
- Safety
- Urticating hairs. The genus Tliltocatl is CITES-protected.
Legal position in Switzerland
No permit foreseen
No permit required. The species does not belong to any of the groups listed in Art. 89 of the Swiss Animal Welfare Ordinance
No certificate of competence foreseen
No proof of competence required. It is only demanded for the animals named in Art. 89 of the Ordinance
Species protection applies
CITES Appendix II: Import and transfer only with papers. When buying, ask for proof of origin and captive breeding
Minimum enclosure dimensions
The Animal Welfare Ordinance does not apply to these animals: under Art. 1 it governs the handling of vertebrates, cephalopods and reptant decapods. There are therefore no minimum dimensions. Housing, climate and places to retreat should still match the needs of the species. The cantonal veterinary office can say whether cantonal rules apply, for example to venomous animals.
What the enclosure must provide
Escape-proof closure, humidity suited to the species, a retreat and water. Spiders are kept singly; most species eat their own kind.
Paperwork
Keep the CITES papers and a receipt bearing the scientific name. For Appendix II they are needed for import and transfer. Cantonal rules may apply to venomous animals; check with the cantonal veterinary office before buying.
These details are a guide, not legal advice. Binding information comes from the cantonal veterinary office; the text of the ordinance is what counts. More on the legal position
