Curly Hair Tarantula (Tliltocatl albopilosus) Care Sheet
The Curly Hair Tarantula (Tliltocatl albopilosus) is one of the best-established tarantulas in the captive invertebrate hobby. Its manageable adult size, generally steady temperament, straightforward terrestrial husbandry and distinctive covering of long curled hairs have made it a popular choice with both newer and experienced tarantula keepers.
Older books, care sheets and hobby listings may refer to this species as Brachypelma albopilosum. It has since been transferred to the genus Tliltocatl, so Tliltocatl albopilosus is the modern scientific name.
Curly Hair Tarantulas are terrestrial spiders that frequently excavate, enlarge existing retreats or construct burrows beneath suitable cover. Their captive enclosure should therefore prioritise deep substrate, usable floor space and a low fall distance rather than excessive height.
Although the species has a reputation for being relatively calm, individual temperament varies. Like other New World terrestrial tarantulas, Curly Hairs possess defensive urticating hairs and are best regarded as observation animals rather than handling pets.
Successful husbandry centres around secure terrestrial housing, deep compactable substrate, a suitable hide, good ventilation, access to clean water, appropriate temperatures, captive-bred feeder insects and minimal unnecessary disturbance.
Quick Facts
Scientific name: Tliltocatl albopilosus
Former name: Brachypelma albopilosum
Common name: Curly Hair Tarantula
Order: Araneae
Family: Theraphosidae
Origin: Central America
Lifestyle: Terrestrial/burrowing
Adult leg span: Approximately 12–15 cm
Temperature: Approximately 20–26°C
Humidity: Moderate; provide a moisture gradient rather than permanently wet conditions
Diet: Carnivorous/insectivorous
Housing: Individual
Handling: Not recommended
Experience level: Beginner-friendly tarantula
Major requirements: Deep substrate, secure hide, water dish, ventilation and minimal fall distance
Appearance
The Curly Hair Tarantula gets its common name from the long, curled hairs covering much of its:
- Abdomen
- Carapace
- Legs
The overall colour is generally dark brown to bronze, while lighter golden or tan hairs create the characteristic shaggy appearance.
It may lack the brilliant blue, orange or metallic colours of some tarantulas, but mature Curly Hairs are extremely distinctive.
Taxonomy
Older hobby literature commonly lists this species as:
Brachypelma albopilosum**.**
The currently accepted name is:
Tliltocatl albopilosus**.**
Keepers may therefore encounter both names when researching the species.
They refer to the same tarantula rather than two separate animals.
Natural Lifestyle
Curly Hair Tarantulas are primarily:
terrestrial and burrow associated.
They may use:
- Existing cavities
- Spaces beneath roots
- Ground-level retreats
- Self-excavated burrows
Captive specimens often excavate extensively when given sufficient substrate.
Behaviour
The species is generally regarded as one of the more manageable terrestrial tarantulas in the hobby.
However:
docile does not mean incapable of defending itself.
An individual may respond to disturbance by:
- Retreating
- Kicking urticating hairs
- Raising a defensive posture
- Striking
- Biting if sufficiently provoked
Temperament can vary considerably between individuals.
Housing
An adult Curly Hair requires a:
terrestrial enclosure.
Floor space is considerably more important than climbing height.
Adult Enclosure Size
An enclosure providing approximately:
30 × 30 cm of usable floor space
is suitable for many adult specimens.
Exact enclosure dimensions can vary.
The important requirements are sufficient room for:
- A hide
- Water dish
- Burrowing
- Normal movement
Enclosure Height
Avoid excessive empty height.
Heavy-bodied terrestrial tarantulas can suffer severe injuries if they fall onto:
- Hard substrate
- Decorations
- Stones
- Water dishes
A substantial proportion of the enclosure’s height should therefore be filled with substrate.
Substrate
Suitable substrate can include:
- Organic topsoil
- Coco fibre
- Soil/coco mixtures
- Appropriate clay-containing soil mixtures
Always use substrate free from:
- Fertilisers
- Pesticides
- Insecticides
Substrate Depth
Provide approximately:
10–15 cm or more
for larger juveniles and adults where enclosure dimensions permit.
Deep substrate allows the tarantula to excavate naturally.
Compacting the Substrate
Avoid extremely loose, fluffy substrate.
Lightly compacting the substrate helps excavated tunnels retain their structure.
Hide
Provide a secure ground-level hide.
Suitable choices include:
- Cork bark
- Half-buried cork tubes
- Stable artificial hides
- Curved pieces of bark
Starter Burrow
A particularly useful setup is:
a partially buried cork hide with a shallow starter burrow underneath.
The tarantula can then expand the retreat itself.
Excavation
Do not be surprised if the spider completely redesigns its enclosure.
Curly Hair Tarantulas may:
- Move large quantities of substrate
- Bury decorations
- Close hide entrances
- Excavate beneath cork
- Construct deep retreats
This is normal behaviour.
Burrow Sealing
A tarantula may completely seal its burrow entrance with:
soil and silk.
This frequently occurs before moulting or during periods when the spider wishes to remain undisturbed.
Do not dig it out.
Ventilation
Provide good:
cross ventilation.
Adequate airflow helps prevent stagnant conditions while still allowing moisture to remain within deeper substrate.
Temperature
A useful captive temperature range is approximately:
20–26°C.
Comfortable household temperatures are generally suitable.
Heating
Dedicated enclosure heating is often unnecessary in a normally heated home.
If supplemental heat is genuinely required, warm the surrounding environment safely using:
thermostatically controlled equipment.
Never Heat From Below
Do not place uncontrolled heating beneath a terrestrial tarantula enclosure.
A burrowing animal naturally moves deeper underground to escape excessive heat.
Bottom heating reverses this natural gradient.
Direct Sunlight
Never position the enclosure in direct sunlight.
Transparent enclosures can overheat rapidly.
Moisture
Curly Hair Tarantulas should not be maintained at either extreme.
Avoid:
- Completely desiccated conditions
- Permanently saturated substrate
Moisture Gradient
A useful arrangement is:
- Comparatively dry surface substrate
- Slightly more moisture deeper down
- Good ventilation
- Constant access to drinking water
Water Dish
Juveniles large enough to use one and all adults should have access to:
a clean shallow water dish.
Water Dish Safety
There is no need to place:
- Stones
- Cotton wool
- Sponge
- Water gel
inside an adult tarantula’s water dish.
Clean water is sufficient.
Overflowing the Dish
Occasionally overflowing the water dish slightly can provide localised substrate moisture.
Do not soak the entire enclosure.
Misting
Heavy routine misting is unnecessary.
Managing substrate moisture and providing a clean water dish is generally more useful than repeatedly spraying the spider.
Feeding
Curly Hair Tarantulas are:
carnivorous predators.
Suitable Prey
Appropriate captive-bred feeders include:
- Crickets
- Cockroach nymphs
- Locusts
- Mealworms
- Superworms of appropriate size
Prey Size
Offer prey appropriate to the size of the tarantula.
There is no advantage in deliberately offering enormous feeders.
Adult Feeding Frequency
A healthy adult can generally be offered an appropriately sized meal approximately:
every 7–14 days.
This is a guideline rather than a rigid timetable.
Juvenile Feeding
Growing juveniles can usually be offered smaller prey somewhat more frequently.
Adjust feeding according to:
- Size
- Growth
- Temperature
- Body condition
Body Condition
The abdomen is a useful guide when determining feeding frequency.
An adult with a very large abdomen does not need to be fed simply because another week has passed.
Overfeeding
Excessive feeding can result in an unnecessarily enlarged abdomen.
This is particularly undesirable in terrestrial tarantulas because abdominal injury following a fall can be:
fatal.
Uneaten Prey
Remove uneaten live prey.
This becomes especially important when moulting is suspected.
Fasting
Curly Hair Tarantulas can sometimes refuse food for:
surprisingly long periods.
An established adult fasting while otherwise appearing healthy is not automatically an emergency.
Premoult
A tarantula approaching a moult may:
- Refuse food
- Become less active
- Spend more time hidden
- Darken in colour
- Produce additional silk
- Seal its burrow
Do Not Dig It Up
If the spider seals itself inside its retreat:
leave it alone.
Do not excavate the burrow to determine whether the tarantula is alive.
Moulting
Tarantulas periodically shed their exoskeleton in a process known as:
ecdysis.
Moulting on the Back
A tarantula commonly moults while lying:
on its back.
This is completely normal.
Do Not Turn It Over
Never attempt to “rescue” a tarantula simply because it is lying upside down.
Interference during moulting can cause:
- Limb loss
- Deformity
- Failed moulting
- Death
During the Moult
Do not:
- Touch the spider
- Move it
- Feed it
- Disturb the enclosure unnecessarily
Freshly Moulted Tarantula
Immediately after moulting, the new exoskeleton is:
extremely soft.
The fangs also require time to harden.
Feeding After Moulting
For a large juvenile or adult, approximately:
7–14 days
is a useful general waiting period before feeding.
Very small slings harden considerably faster.
Check the Fangs
The fangs of a freshly moulted tarantula are initially pale.
Wait until they have:
darkened and hardened
before offering substantial prey.
Exuvia
The discarded exoskeleton is called the:
exuvia.
It can be removed once the tarantula has moved safely away from it.
Sexing From the Moult
A sufficiently intact moult can be used to determine:
sex.
Examining the inside of the abdominal section is generally more reliable than guessing from external body shape.
Females
Female reproductive structures can be identified within a suitable intact moult.
Sexing becomes easier as the spider grows.
Mature Males
After the final maturation moult, males develop obvious reproductive structures on the:
pedipalps.
Mature Male Behaviour
A mature male may suddenly become:
- Restless
- Highly mobile
- More interested in climbing
- Less interested in food
This usually reflects reproductive behaviour rather than poor husbandry.
Lifespan
Female Curly Hair Tarantulas can live:
well over a decade
with appropriate husbandry.
Some females may live considerably longer.
Male Lifespan
Males generally have a much shorter lifespan.
After reaching maturity, their remaining lifespan is substantially shorter than that of a female.
Long-Term Commitment
A young female Curly Hair should therefore be regarded as:
a long-term pet.
Urticating Hairs
Curly Hair Tarantulas possess defensive:
urticating hairs.
These specialised hairs can be released from the abdomen when the spider feels threatened.
Human Exposure
Urticating hairs may cause:
- Itching
- Redness
- Skin irritation
- Persistent discomfort
Exposure to the eyes can be significantly more serious.
Eye Exposure
Avoid touching the face or eyes after:
- Enclosure maintenance
- Rehousing
- Contact with substrate
- Contact with shed skins
Wash hands thoroughly after maintenance.
Bald Abdomen
A tarantula that has kicked substantial numbers of urticating hairs may develop:
a bald patch on the abdomen.
This does not automatically indicate disease.
The hairs return following a subsequent moult.
Handling
Routine handling is:
not recommended.
Why Avoid Handling?
Handling provides no meaningful benefit to the tarantula and introduces risks including:
- Falling
- Escape
- Urticating-hair exposure
- Defensive biting
- Accidental crushing
Fall Risk
One of the greatest risks during handling is:
a fall.
A heavy-bodied terrestrial tarantula can rupture its abdomen after falling onto a hard surface.
Bite Risk
Curly Hair Tarantulas possess venom used for prey capture.
They are not generally regarded as medically significant tarantulas.
However, bites can still be:
- Painful
- Stressful
- Capable of producing individual reactions
Prevent bites rather than deliberately testing temperament.
Rehousing
Rehousing should be calm and controlled.
Useful equipment includes:
- Catch cup
- Long soft brush
- Long forceps
- Secondary containment tub
Catch Cup Method
A catch cup allows the spider to be moved without direct handling.
Gently guide the tarantula using a soft brush rather than pushing aggressively.
Never Grab a Tarantula
Do not attempt to grab the spider with bare hands.
Individual Housing
Curly Hair Tarantulas should be housed:
individually.
They are not communal animals.
Breeding
Tliltocatl albopilosus is well established within captive breeding.
Captive-bred animals are therefore strongly preferable to wild-collected specimens.
Preparing the Female
A breeding female should be:
- Mature
- Healthy
- Well established
- Appropriately conditioned
before introduction of a male.
Mature Male
A mature male can be identified by his developed reproductive pedipalps and adult behaviour.
Pairing
The male is generally introduced carefully into the female’s established enclosure.
Courtship
Courtship may involve:
- Tapping
- Drumming
- Vibrational signalling
- Leg movements
Supervise Pairings
Pairings should be:
closely supervised.
The female may attack or consume the male.
Escape Route for the Male
The male should always have an opportunity to:
retreat quickly.
After Successful Mating
Do not assume one observed mating automatically guarantees an egg sac.
Female reproductive success depends upon multiple factors including:
- Maturity
- Condition
- Timing
- Environmental conditions
Egg Sac
A successfully bred female may eventually construct:
a silken egg sac.
Large Broods
Curly Hair Tarantulas can produce:
large numbers of spiderlings.
A keeper should prepare for potentially hundreds of offspring before breeding.
Breeding Responsibility
Do not breed simply because a mature male and female are available.
Before pairing, prepare:
- Sling containers
- Substrate
- Tiny feeders
- Suitable storage space
- A realistic placement plan
Sling Housing
Small spiderlings can be maintained individually in:
small secure ventilated containers.
Sling Enclosure
Provide:
- Suitable substrate
- Fine ventilation
- A tiny retreat
- Appropriate moisture
- No dangerous fall distance
Sling Moisture
Very small slings are more vulnerable to dehydration than established adults.
Their substrate can generally remain:
slightly more consistently moist
while still receiving good ventilation.
Sling Feeding
Suitable foods can include:
- Tiny cricket nymphs
- Tiny cockroach nymphs
- Sections of freshly killed feeders
Very small slings may scavenge pre-killed prey.
Sling Feeding Frequency
Growing slings can generally be fed more frequently than mature adults.
Monitor abdomen condition and remove uneaten food.
Sling Growth
As the spider grows:
- Increase prey size
- Increase enclosure size gradually
- Increase substrate depth
- Continue providing a secure retreat
Do Not Oversize Sling Housing
A tiny sling does not require an adult enclosure.
Appropriately sized housing makes it easier to:
- Monitor the spider
- Locate prey
- Maintain hydration
- Observe moulting
Cleaning
Curly Hair enclosures require relatively little invasive cleaning.
Routine maintenance consists primarily of:
- Removing prey remains
- Refilling the water dish
- Removing obvious waste
- Monitoring substrate condition
Preserve the Burrow
Do not destroy a well-established burrow simply because the enclosure looks untidy.
The burrow is part of the tarantula’s:
functional habitat.
Full Substrate Changes
Complete substrate replacement should only be performed when genuinely necessary.
Unnecessary rehousing creates additional stress and risk.
Household Chemicals
Keep tarantulas away from:
- Fly spray
- Flea treatments
- Ant killer
- Cockroach treatments
- Garden pesticides
- Strong cleaning aerosols
Aerosols
Avoid spraying near the enclosure:
- Air freshener
- Perfume
- Deodorising products
- Cleaning sprays
Common Husbandry Mistakes
Common mistakes include:
- Providing excessive empty height
- Using insufficient substrate
- Providing no secure hide
- Maintaining permanently saturated substrate
- Allowing severe dehydration
- Poor ventilation
- Heating directly beneath the enclosure
- Placing the enclosure in direct sunlight
- Digging up a tarantula that has sealed its burrow
- Attempting to help a moulting tarantula
- Leaving dangerous live prey during moulting
- Feeding too soon after moulting
- Overfeeding
- Handling unnecessarily
- Housing multiple Curly Hairs together
- Mistaking mature-male wandering for poor husbandry
- Breeding without preparing for large numbers of slings
Is the Curly Hair Tarantula Suitable for Beginners?
Yes.
The Curly Hair is widely regarded as one of the more suitable first tarantulas.
Its husbandry is comparatively straightforward, and captive-bred specimens are well established within the hobby.
However, beginner-friendly does not mean:
a handling animal.
New keepers should still learn:
- Safe rehousing
- Terrestrial enclosure design
- Moult recognition
- Hydration management
- Feeding
- Urticating-hair precautions
Captive Availability
The Curly Hair Tarantula is:
well established within the captive hobby.
Captive-bred:
- Slings
- Juveniles
- Adults
are regularly produced by breeders.
This makes the species particularly appropriate for a captive reptile and invertebrate-keeping forum.
Captive-Bred Animals
Captive-bred specimens should be preferred whenever available.
Advantages include better information regarding:
- Age
- Origin
- Feeding history
- Previous husbandry
- Breeding lineage
Captive breeding also reduces unnecessary pressure on wild populations.
Hobby Names
Keepers may encounter advertisements using:
- Curly Hair Tarantula
- Honduran Curly Hair
- Brachypelma albopilosum
- Tliltocatl albopilosus
Because historical hobby stocks and locality claims can be complicated, breeders should maintain accurate records rather than relying entirely on common names.
Responsible Sourcing
Before purchasing, ask:
- Is the spider captive bred?
- What size or developmental stage is it?
- Is the sex known?
- When did it last moult?
- What prey is it currently eating?
- What conditions has it been maintained under?
Legal Considerations
Tarantula trade and transport regulations vary according to:
- Country
- Species
- Origin
- International movement
Keepers should verify current requirements before importing, exporting or transporting live specimens across borders.
Dealer Availability Does Not Guarantee Legality
An animal being available:
- Online
- At an expo
- From a breeder
- Through another hobbyist
does not automatically mean every form of transport or international trade is lawful.
Never Release Captive Tarantulas
Never release captive:
- Adults
- Juveniles
- Slings
- Egg sacs
into the environment.
Responsible Ownership
Before obtaining a Curly Hair Tarantula, ensure you can provide:
- Secure terrestrial housing
- Deep substrate
- Minimal fall distance
- A suitable hide
- Good ventilation
- Appropriate moisture
- Clean drinking water
- Captive-bred feeder insects
- Safe rehousing equipment
- Long-term care
Why Keep Curly Hair Tarantulas?
The species is popular because it combines:
- Manageable husbandry
- Attractive appearance
- Interesting burrowing behaviour
- Strong feeding responses
- Long female lifespan
- Established captive breeding
- Relatively manageable defensive behaviour
It provides an excellent introduction to terrestrial tarantula husbandry.
Educational Value
Keeping Tliltocatl albopilosus allows observation of:
- Burrow construction
- Webbing
- Predatory behaviour
- Moulting
- Growth
- Sexual dimorphism
- Courtship
- Egg-sac production
- Sling development
Summary
The Curly Hair Tarantula (Tliltocatl albopilosus) is one of the classic species of the captive tarantula hobby.
Formerly widely known as Brachypelma albopilosum, it is now placed within the genus Tliltocatl.
Its shaggy covering of long curled hairs gives the species an unmistakable appearance.
Curly Hairs are terrestrial and frequently burrow, so captive housing should prioritise deep substrate, usable floor area and minimal fall distance.
For an adult, approximately 30 × 30 cm of floor space provides a useful starting point, with approximately 10–15 cm or more of compactable substrate where enclosure dimensions permit.
Provide a secure ground-level hide, good cross ventilation and constant access to clean drinking water.
A general captive temperature range around 20–26°C is appropriate for normal husbandry.
Maintain a sensible moisture gradient rather than keeping the enclosure either permanently soaked or severely dry.
Healthy adults can generally be offered appropriately sized captive-bred prey around every 7–14 days, adjusted according to body condition.
Long fasting periods can be normal, particularly around moulting.
Never disturb a tarantula that has sealed its retreat, and never attempt to turn over a spider that is moulting on its back.
After moulting, allow the new exoskeleton and fangs to harden before feeding.
Routine handling is unnecessary and not recommended. Curly Hairs possess urticating hairs, and heavy-bodied terrestrial tarantulas can suffer catastrophic injury from falls.
Females can live for many years, making the species a substantial long-term commitment.
Captive breeding is well established, and captive-bred specimens should be strongly preferred.
For a keeper looking for a hardy, attractive and genuinely established captive-bred tarantula, the Curly Hair remains an excellent choice.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Tliltocatl albopilosus is a terrestrial tarantula.
Provide deep, compactable substrate and avoid excessive empty enclosure height.
Always provide a secure ground-level retreat and clean drinking water.
Maintain good ventilation and avoid both permanently saturated conditions and severe dehydration.
Never heat a terrestrial tarantula enclosure from underneath.
Do not disturb a spider that has sealed its burrow.
A tarantula lying on its back may be moulting. Never turn it over or attempt to assist unless there is a genuine exceptional emergency.
Remove dangerous live prey when moulting is suspected.
Allow the spider’s exoskeleton and fangs to harden before feeding after a moult.
Urticating hairs can irritate the skin and are particularly hazardous to the eyes.
Routine handling is not recommended.
House specimens individually except during carefully supervised breeding introductions.
Breeding can produce large numbers of spiderlings, so prepare housing, feeder cultures and responsible placements before pairing.
Prefer established captive-bred stock.
Check current local and international requirements before buying, selling, transporting, importing or exporting live tarantulas.
Never release captive adults, juveniles, slings or egg sacs into the environment.
Information correct at the date of publication.
reptilecommunity.com | Revised: August 2026