Mexican Red-Legged Tarantula Care Guide
Brachypelma emilia
SIZE
• Adult: approx. 13–15 cm leg span
• Lifespan: Females 20–25+ years; males shorter
HOUSING
• Terrestrial species — floor space is more important than height
• Adult minimum: 60 × 30 × 30 cm
• Provide 8–12 cm of dry, compactable substrate
• Add a cork bark hide and some décor for cover
• Secure lid with good ventilation
TEMPERATURE
• Day: 22–26°C
• Night: 20–22°C
• Normal room temperatures are often suitable
• Avoid overheating
LIGHTING
• No UVB required
• Normal day/night room lighting is sufficient
• Avoid bright lights directly over the enclosure
HUMIDITY
• Aim for around 50–60%
• Keep most of the enclosure dry
• A slightly damp area can be provided occasionally
• Good ventilation is essential
FOOD
• Feed live crickets, locusts and roaches
• Offer appropriately sized prey
• Adults generally feed around once every 1–2 weeks, depending on appetite
• Remove uneaten prey
WATER
• Provide a shallow water dish at all times
• Change regularly and keep clean
SHEDDING
• Appetite may decrease before moulting
• Remove live prey if premoult is suspected
• Never disturb or handle during a moult
• Wait until the tarantula has hardened before feeding
HANDLING
• Generally calm, but handling is not recommended
• Can flick urticating hairs when stressed
• If movement is necessary, use a catch cup
• Keep handling close to the ground
HEALTH
• Watch for lethargy, injury, mites or abnormal posture
• Good ventilation helps prevent respiratory and fungal problems
• Avoid excessive moisture
• 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 necessary
• Avoid unnecessary disturbance
BEFORE YOU BRING YOUR ANIMAL HOME
✓ Secure terrestrial enclosure
✓ Suitable substrate
✓ Cork bark hide
✓ Water dish
✓ Thermometer/hygrometer
✓ Suitable live insects
✓ Long feeding tongs
✓ Catch cup
IMPORTANT BITS
• Slow-growing and long-lived species
• Generally docile but should not be assumed to be completely harmless
• Urticating hairs can cause significant irritation
• Do not disturb a moulting tarantula
• Keep conditions predominantly dry with access to fresh water
• Females can live for 20+ years, so this is a long-term commitment
