Brazillian Red and White tarantula

Brazilian Red & White Tarantula Care Guide

Lasiodora parahybana

SIZE
• Adult: approx. 20–25 cm leg span
• Lifespan: Females 15–20+ years; males shorter

HOUSING
• Terrestrial and very active
• Adult minimum: 60 × 45 × 30 cm
• Provide 10–15 cm of substrate for burrowing
• Add cork bark, a hide and some décor
• Secure enclosure with good ventilation

TEMPERATURE
• Day: 23–27°C
• Night: 20–22°C
• Avoid temperatures above 30°C

LIGHTING
• No UVB required
• Normal day/night room lighting is sufficient
• Avoid bright lights directly over the enclosure

HUMIDITY
• Aim for around 60–70%
• Keep substrate slightly moist in parts, but never waterlogged
• Provide good ventilation to prevent stagnant conditions

FOOD
• Feed appropriately sized crickets, locusts and roaches
• Adults generally feed around once every 1–2 weeks
• Juveniles require smaller prey more frequently
• Remove uneaten prey promptly

WATER
• Provide a shallow water dish at all times
• Refresh regularly with clean water

SHEDDING
• Appetite often decreases before a moult
• Remove live prey when premoult is suspected
• Never disturb or handle during moulting
• Wait until the tarantula has hardened before feeding

HANDLING
• Not recommended
• Can be defensive and may flick urticating hairs
• Large size and powerful legs make falls particularly dangerous
• Use a catch cup for moving

HEALTH
• Watch for lethargy, injury, mites or abnormal posture
• Good ventilation is essential
• Avoid excessively wet substrate
• A tarantula lying on its back is normally moulting — do not disturb it

CLEANING
• Remove uneaten prey and waste regularly
• Keep the water dish clean
• Spot-clean when required
• Avoid unnecessary disturbance of established burrows

BEFORE YOU BRING YOUR ANIMAL HOME
✓ Large secure enclosure
✓ Deep substrate
✓ Cork bark hide
✓ Water dish
✓ Thermometer/hygrometer
✓ Suitable live insects
✓ Long feeding tongs
✓ Catch cup

IMPORTANT BITS
• Large, fast-growing and active tarantula
• Can flick irritating urticating hairs when stressed
• Do not handle unnecessarily
• Provide plenty of substrate for natural burrowing
• Never disturb a moulting tarantula
• Keep the enclosure secure — this species is surprisingly strong and active