Tliltocatl albopilosus

🔤 Taxonomy

Tliltocatl albopilosus is the currently accepted scientific name. In older literature and in much of the pet trade, the species was widely known as Brachypelma albopilosum.

The latest renames that hobbyists most often encounter are:

• Brachypelma albopilosum -> Tliltocatl albopilosum (genus transfer, Mendoza & Francke 2019)
• Tliltocatl albopilosum -> Tliltocatl albopilosus (current accepted spelling in modern catalogs)

Older names and combinations associated with the species include:

• Brachypelma albopilosum (Valerio, 1980)
• Euathlus albopilosus (Valerio, 1980)

The closely related trade name Brachypelma schroederi refers to a different species now placed as Tliltocatl schroederi, not to Tliltocatl albopilosus.

English common names used in the hobby:

• Curly hair tarantula
• Honduran curly hair tarantula

German common names used in the hobby:

• Kraushaar-Vogelspinne
• Honduras-Kraushaar-Vogelspinne

📌 Description

Tliltocatl albopilosus is a terrestrial New World tarantula known in the hobby for its dark body and characteristic long, curled setae that give it a soft, shaggy appearance. It is one of the most familiar pet tarantulas and is often recommended for beginners because it is generally hardy and forgiving.

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

The species is usually calm, though individual temperament varies. Like other New World tarantulas, it can flick urticating hairs when stressed, so regular handling is not recommended.

Adult females are long-lived and heavy-bodied. A mature female often reaches a leg span of around 12-15 cm and may live 15 years or more with stable care. Mature males remain slimmer and generally have a much shorter lifespan after their final molt.

Tliltocatl albopilosus is a display tarantula that does best with simple, stable husbandry: a low terrestrial setup, deep substrate, moderate humidity, fresh water, and minimal disturbance.

🌍 Distribution

Tliltocatl albopilosus is native to Central America, especially Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. In the wild it is associated with warm seasonal tropical habitats with loose soil, roots, leaf litter and burrow retreats.

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

• a low terrestrial enclosure with deep, shape-holding substrate
• a secure hide and room to retreat below the surface
• moderate humidity with good ventilation, not stale wet substrate
• fresh water always available
• fall prevention and calm maintenance

⚖️ Legal status

Tliltocatl albopilosus is associated in CITES materials with Appendix II controls through its older Brachypelma placement. In the EU wildlife trade system, these tarantulas are treated under Annex B rules.

The species is not relevant to the Bern Convention because it is not native to Europe. Local rules on import, sale, transport, exhibition, and breeding may still apply. It is strongly advisable to buy captive-bred animals from reputable sources and keep proof-of-origin documents.

🤌 Husbandry

Tliltocatl albopilosus should be housed alone. It is not a communal species and should not be kept with other tarantulas.

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.

The enclosure should be wider than tall. For an adult, roughly 30 x 20 x 20 cm or larger is a practical size, with enough floor space for a hide, water dish, and open area in front of the retreat. Excessive height should be avoided because a fall can seriously injure a heavy terrestrial spider.

Good basic husbandry includes:

• Deep substrate for digging or reshaping a retreat
• A stable hide such as cork bark
• Good ventilation
• A shallow water dish
• No sharp decor or risky climbing structures

This species tolerates small care fluctuations better than many tarantulas, but it still benefits from consistency. Unnecessary handling, constant enclosure changes, and over-cleaning create avoidable stress.

💡 Lighting

Tliltocatl albopilosus does not need special lighting. Strong lamps are unnecessary and often make the spider stay hidden more often.

A normal room day-night rhythm is enough. If live plants are used, lighting should remain moderate and should not dry or overheat the enclosure.

🌡 Heating and temperature

Tliltocatl albopilosus does well at normal warm room temperatures. A practical range is:

• Daytime: around 22-27°C
• Night: a small drop is acceptable

Short-term variation is usually tolerated, but prolonged cold can reduce feeding and slow growth. Overheating is a greater risk than slightly cool conditions. Temperatures around or above 30°C increase stress and dehydration risk.

If heating is needed, warming the room is usually safer than applying strong direct heat to a small enclosure. Localized heating can dry the substrate too quickly or create dangerous hot spots.

💧 Humidity and water

This species benefits from moderate humidity rather than a permanently dry setup. The enclosure should not be wet throughout, but it should not be bone dry for long periods either.

A practical approach is:

• Keep part of the substrate dry on the surface
• Maintain a slightly moister lower layer or one side of the enclosure
• Provide fresh water at all times
• Avoid stagnant, stuffy air

For many keepers, around 60-75% humidity works well if ventilation is adequate. The main goal is balance: avoid both chronic wetness and chronic dehydration.

🌿 Enclosure and decoration

The substrate should hold shape and allow shallow digging. Suitable options include compacted coco fiber, unfertilized topsoil, or tarantula-safe soil mixes. Adults should have enough depth to deepen a hide or scrape out a simple burrow entrance, usually at least 8-12 cm.

Useful enclosure elements include:

• Cork bark or another secure hide
• Deep, firm substrate
• A shallow water bowl
• Stable, minimal decoration

Mesh lids are best avoided when possible because claws can catch in them. Tall branches, unstable stones, or hard decor that increases fall risk should also be avoided.

🪳 Feeding

Tliltocatl albopilosus is insectivorous. Suitable staple 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.

Overfeeding is unnecessary. A healthy spider should have a well-filled abdomen, but not an excessively swollen one. Live prey should never be left in the enclosure if the spider is in premolt or actively molting.

🩺 Common problems

The most common problems in Tliltocatl albopilosus are linked to poor ventilation, dehydration, excess dampness, moldy substrate, unsafe enclosure height, and mistakes during molting.

Warning signs include:

• Persistent wrinkled abdomen
• Weak posture or poor movement
• Repeated climbing at the walls in unsuitable conditions
• Refusal to eat with visible decline
• Bad molts or body parts trapped in the old exoskeleton
• Injuries after a fall

A tarantula lying on its back is often just molting. It should not be touched during this process. Feeders must be removed if molting is expected, because they can injure a vulnerable spider.

If there is visible injury, leaking hemolymph, severe dehydration, or a failed molt, intervention should be calm and limited, and an experienced exotic veterinarian should be consulted where possible.

📌 Conclusion

Tliltocatl albopilosus is one of the classic beginner-friendly display tarantulas: hardy, attractive, and usually steady in behavior when basic conditions are met.

Long-term success depends on simple consistency rather than complex equipment. A low enclosure, deep substrate, moderate humidity, fresh water, and patience around feeding and molting are the foundations of good care.

📚 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