Honduran Curly Hair (Tliltocatl albopilosum)

The Tliltocatl albopilosus known as the Curly Hair Tarantula has recently seen the common name in the hobby split into the Nicaraguan Curly Hair (true form) and the Honduran Curly Hair (curly hair). This is a staple species in the hobby and has been around for a long time. It is a great beginner tarantula as they are hardy, easy to take care of, and fairly docile as adults. For a long time the Honduran Curly Hair was the main tarantula you saw in the hobby but many believe that they have been subject to accidental or intentional cross breeding with other closely related species muddying their bloodline while the Nicaraguan is rumored to be a thoroughbred species and are kept separate from the hobby form now for breeding purposes. Do to the lack of taxonomic research using DNA, it is impossible to say with any certainty that they are different species, thoroughbred or hybrid, or just local variants. It is widely believed that if you purchase a Nicaraguan Curly Hair from a reputable breeder you are getting a thoroughbred species. There are some visual differences in the tarantulas as some are more golden brown while others are a much darker, almost black color. What they have in common is the long, wiry, curly hairs that make them almost look fluffy. Visually they look very similar and for not are classified under the same genus.

TYPE
New World - Terrestrial

SCIENTIFIC NAME
Tliltocatl albopilosum

ORIGIN
Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica

HABITAT
Sling- Sling box or 16oz deli cup
Juvenile - 7x4x4 enclosure
Sub-Adult - 9x6x6 enclosure, 2 ½ or 5 gallon tank
Adult - 12x8x8 enclosure or 10 gallon tank
Provide them with a cork bark hide, water dish, a little sphagnum moss (optional) and straight coco fiber. However a substrate like jungle mix or creature soil which is mainly peat moss, a little soil and a small amount of sand. Coco fiber works very well and is the least expensive.

DIET
Roaches, crickets and mealworms is our recommended foods. However, superworms are also acceptable when they reach adulthood.

TEMPERATURE
75-85F, heating generally isn’t a concern with this species, and they do well at room temperature.

HUMIDITY
65%-70%, slings should stay on lightly moist substrate, adults should have a water dish and a corner of their enclosure that goes through a wet/dry cycle, moistening the substrate and then leaving it alone until it dries out.

ADULT SIZE
Adults can reach up to 6" diagonal leg span.

LIFESPAN
9-20 years (Males 9-10 years, with females drastically outliving them at 20+ years)

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
We do not recommend keeping tarantulas as they will cannibalize each other. Its best to keep tarantulas in individual enclosures.