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Curly Hair Tarantula (Brachypelma albopilosum)

Belonging to the group of tarantula soiders, this species are natives of the Costa Rica region. Its curled appearance gives it a unique look and has also earned it the name curly hair tarantula.

Curly Hair Tarantula

Scientific Classification

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: The males and the females are between 5 and 5 ½ inches long.

Color: They have a golden-bronze body, with brownish or black bristles. The males are lighter in color.

Other Characteristic Features: They are plump and hairy, with their whole body being covered with long, curly bristles that are dense near their hind legs.

Curly Hair Tarantula Size

Eggs

The female lays between 300 and 500 eggs as big as a golf ball that are incubated for 7 to 8 weeks at 24-27°C.

Curly Hair Tarantula Egg Sac

Spiderlings

The juvenile spiders are pale in color and develop at a rapid pace, going on to live on their own in a few weeks after hatching.

Curly Hair Tarantula Spiderling

The Web

These spiders can spin silk which is used for lining their burrows and protecting the eggs that are laid there. However, unlike other spiders, they do not make webs by using the silk.

Is the Curly Hair Tarantula Poisonous and Do They Bite

The curly hair tarantula may bite when threatened or upset, but their venom is hardly toxic, though may cause an allergic reaction.

Curly Hair Tarantula Habitat

Quick Facts

Other names Honduran Curly Hair
Lifespan in the wild Males: 4 years;
Females: 8 to 10 years
Distribution Rain forests of Nicaragua, Honduras and Costa Rica
Habitat Tropical scrublands, near large trees and rivers, and in places where the rain forests have been cleared
Predators   Several birds, reptiels as well as other spiders
Diet Small vertebrates and larger insects like crickets
Curly Hair Tarantula Sling

Did You Know

  • Brachypelma albopilosa was the name first given to the species in 1980 by Carlos Valerio, later changed to albopilosum since the name of the genus is neuter.
  • They were initially a target for international trade and captured in large numbers. Presently they are raised in captivity and can adjust to changing temperatures and humidity.
  • It has been enlisted on CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) and can be internationally traded only if proper trade permits are produced.
Honduran Curly Hair

Image Credits: I2.wp.com, Thespidershop.co.uk, I.ytimg.com, Monsterfishkeepers.com, Tarantulapets.com, Folly-farm.co.uk

Belonging to the group of tarantula soiders, this species are natives of the Costa Rica region. Its curled appearance gives it a unique look and has also earned it the name curly hair tarantula.

Curly Hair Tarantula

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: The males and the females are between 5 and 5 ½ inches long.

Color: They have a golden-bronze body, with brownish or black bristles. The males are lighter in color.

Other Characteristic Features: They are plump and hairy, with their whole body being covered with long, curly bristles that are dense near their hind legs.

Curly Hair Tarantula Size

Eggs

The female lays between 300 and 500 eggs as big as a golf ball that are incubated for 7 to 8 weeks at 24-27°C.

Curly Hair Tarantula Egg Sac

Spiderlings

The juvenile spiders are pale in color and develop at a rapid pace, going on to live on their own in a few weeks after hatching.

Curly Hair Tarantula Spiderling

The Web

These spiders can spin silk which is used for lining their burrows and protecting the eggs that are laid there. However, unlike other spiders, they do not make webs by using the silk.

Is the Curly Hair Tarantula Poisonous and Do They Bite

The curly hair tarantula may bite when threatened or upset, but their venom is hardly toxic, though may cause an allergic reaction.

Curly Hair Tarantula Habitat

Quick Facts

Other names Honduran Curly Hair
Lifespan in the wild Males: 4 years;
Females: 8 to 10 years
Distribution Rain forests of Nicaragua, Honduras and Costa Rica
Habitat Tropical scrublands, near large trees and rivers, and in places where the rain forests have been cleared
Predators   Several birds, reptiels as well as other spiders
Diet Small vertebrates and larger insects like crickets
Curly Hair Tarantula Sling

Did You Know

  • Brachypelma albopilosa was the name first given to the species in 1980 by Carlos Valerio, later changed to albopilosum since the name of the genus is neuter.
  • They were initially a target for international trade and captured in large numbers. Presently they are raised in captivity and can adjust to changing temperatures and humidity.
  • It has been enlisted on CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) and can be internationally traded only if proper trade permits are produced.
Honduran Curly Hair

Image Credits: I2.wp.com, Thespidershop.co.uk, I.ytimg.com, Monsterfishkeepers.com, Tarantulapets.com, Folly-farm.co.uk

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