Species of the Day: Costa Rican Red Tarantula

Scientific Name: Brachypelma angustum
Range: Forests of southern Mexico and Central America
Type: Terrestrial
Diet: Appropriately sized insects
Adult Size: 3 1/2 to 4 inches
Growth Rate: Moderate
Preferred Temperature: 75 to 80 degrees F
Preferred Humidity: 75 to 80%
Temperament: Semi-docile and nervous
Housing: Spiderlings can live in a clear plastic deli container with holes, adults can live in a 5 to 10 gallon tank; floor space is more important than height. Substrate can be 2 to 3 inches of peat moss or potting soil. Logs, driftwood and cork bark make good hiding places.

    Although they do not have red bodies, Costa Rican Red Tarantulas are appealing, medium-sized tarantulas. They get their name from the thick, red hairs on their legs and abdomen. Costa Rican Red Tarantulas actually have a black to dark brown overall body color. They resemble the Mexican Red-Rump Tarantula although the Red-Rumps are larger. These spiders are not as docile as most others in the Brachypelma family of tarantulas, but they are just as rewarding, and like them are prolific hair kickers. They are also a little smaller than most Brachypelma tarantulas, but are still heavy bodied. Costa Rican Red Tarantulas can be pretty hard to find but surprisingly are not usually expensive. If you're a beginner, but looking to move on to a slightly more difficult-tempered tarantula, the Costa Rican Red Tarantula is a good bet!