Curly Hair Tarantula (Tliltocatl Albopilosus)

Gentle, shaggy, and surprisingly charismatic, Tliltocatl albopilosus is a New World terrestrial favorite. With its distinctive curled hairs and easygoing attitude, this species is perfect for beginners — or anyone who appreciates a low-maintenance, fuzzy beauty.

Quick Facts

Common Name: Curly Hair Tarantula

Scientific Name: Tliltocatl albopilosus

Origin: Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica

Size: 5–6 inches (12–15 cm) leg span

Lifespan:

• Females: 15–20 years
• Males: 5–6 years

Temperament: Calm, docile, slow-moving (generally)

Coloration

Rich dark brown or bronze body

Covered with long, curled golden, tan, or white hairs

Gives a “fluffy” and almost teddy bear-like appearance

Some captive-bred morphs (like the "Nicaraguan Curly") are lighter or brighter

Housing & Care

Enclosure Type: Terrestrial — lots of floor space

Substrate: 4–5 inches of slightly moist substrate (coco fiber/topsoil mix)

Humidity: 65–75% — moist bottom layer, dry top is ideal

Temperature: 70–78°F (21–26°C)

Decor:

• Hide (like a cork bark half-log)
• Water dish and optional light foliage or moss
• Appreciates a cozy, earthy setup

Curly Hairs like to bulldoze and dig a bit, especially when young.

Feeding

Diet: Crickets, roaches, mealworms

Feeding Schedule:

• Slings: 2–3x/week
• Juveniles: Weekly
• Adults: Every 10–14 days

Steady, reliable feeders — not aggressive but definitely not shy about food

Why It's So Popular

Extremely hardy and forgiving of minor care mistakes

Very docile — among the few species sometimes considered for gentle handling

Slow and deliberate movements make it easy to work around

Adorable, fluffy appearance — crowd favorite for a reason

Great educational species for beginners and kids (with supervision)

Notes

Will kick hairs if stressed — though not nearly as bad as some other species

Needs good cross-ventilation to prevent excess humidity buildup

May fast for periods, especially near pre-molt

Some individuals are a bit skittish when young but usually mellow out with age