Curly Hair Tarantula: Species Characteristics and Care

The curly hair tarantula has a round body covered with long bristles that have a slight curl—hence the spider's common name. Most of the bristles are a dark brown to black color, but some are golden. This gives the spider an overall bronze sheen.

Curly hair tarantulas are ground-dwelling, burrowing spiders native to Central America, specifically Costa Rica, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In the wild, they inhabit tropical rainforests, and are endangered by habitat loss. Many tarantulas are bred in captivity for the pet trade; purchasing from a reputable breeder ensures that your tarantula was not taken from the wild.

These spiders are typically calm, hardy, and easy to care for, making them ideal for new tarantula pet owners. They require housing that replicates their natural environment, along with live prey for food. While they can be handled by some people, they are generally hands-off pets.

Explore further details about curly hair tarantula's care needs, temperament, and dietary requirements.

Curly Hair Tarantula Behavior and Temperament

These tarantulas are exceptionally mellow and quiet pets. If you're expecting a lively animal, you might find them less engaging. Curly hair tarantulas will occasionally move around their enclosure and might rearrange items like pieces of bark. However, they generally remain in a resting state unless they're hunting prey.

Curly hair tarantulas can be easily spooked, so handling should be minimal. Some spiders won't mind sitting on your hand or arm, as long as you handle them very calmly and gently. It's best to sit on the floor when handling these animals in case they do get scared and try to flee. A fall from even a few feet can seriously injure or kill them.

If threatened, curly hair tarantulas can activate their defense mechanisms. They may kick irritable hairs off their abdomens, which can cause skin irritation or eye damage. It's crucial to wash your hands thoroughly after handling a tarantula or its enclosure and avoid touching your eyes. Although generally docile, they may use their venomous bite as a defense.

Maintain a distance between pet tarantulas and other household animals, as well as children who might handle them inappropriately. Curly hair tarantulas are solitary creatures and should not be housed with other spiders, even from their own species. Expect to invest a few hours a week in feeding and cleaning, and simply enjoy observing this fascinating creature.

Size Information

Curly hair tarantulas possess a leg span of approximately 5 to 6 inches, and their body length is about 3 inches.

Housing

A 5- to 10-gallon tank with a secure and ventilated lid is ideal for curly hair tarantulas. As they are not big climbers, ground space is more crucial than height. The tank's width should be roughly two to three times the spider's leg span, and the length should be about three times their leg span. A height of approximately one foot is adequate.

Maintain the tank's temperature between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. A heating pad placed under the tank can help maintain the appropriate temperature, which should be regularly checked with a thermometer. Ensure the tank is not in direct sunlight. This tarantula requires a humidity level of about 65-70%, which can be measured with a hygrometer. If increased humidity is necessary, mist the tank with clean water using a spray bottle.

Remove any uneaten prey after 24 hours to maintain the enclosure's cleanliness. Monitor for mold growth, as humidity can cause such issues. If you observe mold on the bedding, promptly remove the affected portion. Plan to change the bedding entirely every four to six months.

Specific Substrate Needs

Apply a layer of at least 3 inches of peat moss, chemical-free potting soil, or vermiculite at the tank's base. Coconut husk bedding is another alternative, commonly available at pet stores.

At times, your tarantula may prefer to retreat and hide instead of being in the open within the enclosure. Include items such as cork bark pieces, a hollow log, or half of a small clay flower pot to provide them with hiding spots. This ensures they have secure places to go when needed.

What Do Curly Hair Tarantulas Eat & Drink?

Curly hair tarantulas eat live crickets, roaches, waxworms, and other insects. The insects should be no larger than the size of your tarantula's body, or no bigger than 2/3 the tarantula’s size. You also can give adult tarantulas the occasional pinky mouse. Young tarantulas generally will need feedings every two to five days, while adults eat roughly once a week, though this can vary. Sometimes, tarantulas won’t eat for weeks. Juvenile curly hair tarantulas will need smaller portions of insects, such as crickets, beetles, and roaches, and the insects should be smaller than those fed to an adult tarantula. Consult your veterinarian for the appropriate variety and quantity of food to give to your particular animal. 

Drop prey close to your spider within the enclosure. Feed in the evening when the spider is typically more active and ready to eat. Ensure to remove any uneaten prey within 24 hours to prevent stress to your tarantula.

Curly hair tarantulas get most of their hydration from their food. But you still should provide a shallow dish of water in the enclosure. Make sure the spider can easily climb in and out of the dish. Refresh the dish with clean water daily.

Common Health Problems

Tarantulas generally remain healthy when maintained in an appropriate environment and fed a suitable diet. If your spider becomes lethargic or stops eating, consult a veterinarian to identify the underlying cause.

Often, these behaviors might indicate that your spider is preparing to molt—a perfectly normal occurrence. During a molt, a tarantula sheds their exoskeleton and forms a new one. And many spiders molt while lying on their backs with their legs curled up, which some owners who aren’t familiar with the process can mistake for a spider dying.

The actual molting phase concludes in a few hours, but the entire process can extend over weeks. The new exoskeleton requires time to harden and offer protection. If the molt appears prolonged or seems abnormal, consult a veterinarian. Additionally, avoid feeding live prey during molting, as it might harm the delicate new exoskeleton.

Exercise

Curly hair tarantulas, like all animals, need physical activity for good health but do not require significant exercise. As long as the enclosure is a sufficient size, your pet will receive the necessary activity.

Grooming

Tarantulas groom themselves primarily through molting. As long as you maintain the appropriate environmental temperature and humidity and keep live prey away during this time, they require no additional assistance. Avoid handling your spider during molting to protect the fragile new exoskeleton.

Upkeep Costs

The primary monthly cost for maintaining a curly hair tarantula centers around their diet, typically ranging from $5 to $10. Costs can be minimized by raising crickets at home instead of purchasing them from a pet store. Occasional substrate changes and replacing worn enclosure items may cost an additional $10 to $20. Remember to also budget for veterinary care and potential emergencies.

Pros & Cons of Keeping a Curly Hair Tarantula as a Pet

Curly hair tarantulas are interesting and quiet pets requiring minimal maintenance and space. However, as with other tarantulas, they are neither cuddly nor tame, and they do not offer much activity for those seeking excitement.

Similar Tarantulas to the Curly Hair Tarantula

If you’re interested in pet tarantulas, check out:

• Mexican red-knee tarantula
• Chilean rose tarantula
• Mexican redleg tarantula

Otherwise, check out other exotic animals that can be your new pet.

Purchasing or Adopting Your Curly Hair Tarantula

This species might be available at some pet stores, but it can often be easier to purchase from a reputable breeder or exotic pet rescue group. Reputable sellers should provide information on the animal's history and health. Prices typically range from $20 to $50, though they may vary based on factors like the animal's age. Females generally cost more due to their longer lifespan.

Reproduction/Breeding

A local exotic animal veterinarian could direct you to a reputable seller. Purchasing from a breeder offers the advantage of a wider selection of younger animals. Request to meet the animals before making a final decision.

Ensure that any tarantula you choose is alert and in good physical condition. A dull or shriveled appearance could signify disease. If possible, request to observe the spider eating. To avoid unintended breeding when adopting multiple spiders, ensure they are housed separately.