Brachypelma boehmei

🔤 Taxonomy

Brachypelma boehmei is the currently accepted scientific name.

English common names used in the hobby:

• Mexican fireleg tarantula
• Mexican rustleg tarantula

📌 Description

Brachypelma boehmei is a terrestrial New World tarantula from Mexico, famous for its dark body and vivid orange-red leg coloration. It is one of the most striking Brachypelma species in the hobby and is often chosen for display value alone.

Adult size is usually about 6-7 cm body length and about 14-16 cm legspan, with females typically heavier than mature males.

This species can be more reactive than some other commonly kept Mexican Brachypelma. It may flick urticating hairs readily and should not be handled routinely. Adult females are long-lived, while males mature faster and have much shorter adult lifespans.

🌍 Distribution

Brachypelma boehmei is native to Pacific coastal Mexico, especially Guerrero. In the wild it is associated with hot seasonal dry forest and scrub with terrestrial retreats.

For captive care, the useful lesson from this distribution is:

• a low terrestrial enclosure with more floor space than height
• enough substrate for digging or reshaping a retreat
• dry to moderately dry surface conditions with a water dish available
• strong ventilation and stable warm room temperatures
• fall prevention, because heavy terrestrial tarantulas are easily injured

⚖️ Legal status

Brachypelma boehmei is listed in CITES Appendix II. In the EU wildlife trade system, Brachypelma tarantulas are treated under Annex B rules.

The species is not relevant to the Bern Convention because it is not native to Europe. In Mexico, Brachypelma species are associated with national protection measures, so wild collection and export are sensitive legal issues. Buying captive-bred animals from reputable sources and keeping proof-of-origin documents is strongly recommended.

🤌 Husbandry

Brachypelma boehmei should be housed alone. It is not a social tarantula.

Slings and juveniles should start in small, secure containers, often around 250 ml for small slings, then move through intermediate enclosures as they grow. Upgrade gradually so the spider can find prey easily and maintain stable conditions.

A practical adult enclosure is roughly 30 x 20 x 20 cm or larger, with more floor space than height. Good husbandry includes:

• Deep substrate
• A secure hide
• Good cross-ventilation
• A shallow water dish
• No sharp decor or tall climbing structures

This species usually benefits from a calm setup and from not being disturbed more than necessary.

💡 Lighting

No special lighting is needed. A normal room day-night cycle is enough.

Bright lamps are unnecessary and may make the spider more defensive or reclusive.

🌡 Heating and temperature

Brachypelma boehmei does well at normal warm room temperatures:

• Daytime: around 22-27°C
• Night: slight drop acceptable

Overheating is more dangerous than mildly cool conditions. Temperatures near or above 30°C raise dehydration and stress risk.

💧 Humidity and water

This species does best in a dry-to-moderately humid enclosure with fresh water always available.

Most of the substrate should remain dry on the surface, while one deeper area may stay slightly more moist. Good ventilation is essential.

🌿 Enclosure and decoration

Use a substrate that holds shape and allows shallow digging, such as compacted coco fiber or unfertilized soil mixes. Adults usually benefit from around 8-12 cm of substrate depth.

A stable cork bark hide, a shallow water dish, and sparse secure decoration work well. Avoid unstable rocks, mesh surfaces, and excess enclosure height.

🪳 Feeding

Brachypelma boehmei is insectivorous. Suitable prey includes:

• Crickets
• Roaches
• Locusts where available
• Mealworms or superworms only in moderation

Slings are fed every 3-5 days; juveniles once or twice weekly. Adults usually do well every 7-14 days depending on prey size and body condition.

🥚 Breeding

Brachypelma are often bred in captivity, but pairing should still be planned rather than casual. Both animals should be mature, well fed but not obese, and correctly identified; keepers should avoid mixing uncertain localities or similar-looking species.

A mature male should be introduced to the female’s enclosure only under close supervision, usually after he has made a sperm web. The pair must have escape space and the keeper must be ready to separate them, because cannibalism and injury are possible.

If pairing succeeds, the female may produce an egg sac weeks or months later. Disturbance during this period can cause sac abandonment or eating. Spiderlings require many small ventilated rearing cups, tiny prey, accurate labels, and steady moisture management.

Because Brachypelma species are CITES Appendix II and are normally treated as EU Annex B animals, keep records of the parents, dates, offspring numbers, and transfers. Breed only when there is a lawful, realistic plan for the spiderlings.

🩺 Common problems

Common problems include dehydration, excess dampness, poor ventilation, injuries from falls, and molting issues. This species may also respond badly to frequent disturbance.

Warning signs include a shriveled abdomen, weakness, persistent wall climbing, obvious decline, and problems during molts. A tarantula on its back is often simply molting and should not be disturbed.

📌 Conclusion

Brachypelma boehmei is one of the most visually impressive Mexican tarantulas, but it does best with calm, restrained care rather than frequent interaction. A low secure enclosure, deep substrate, fresh water, moderate warmth, and minimal disturbance are the basics.

📚 Sources and further reading

• CITES Appendices and Species+ trade database, checked April 2026
• EU wildlife trade regulations and annex references, checked April 2026
• GBIF species backbone and occurrence data for taxonomy and distribution context
• IUCN Red List and specialist husbandry references where applicable