Mexican golden red rump tarantula

Mexican golden red rump tarantula
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Suborder:	Mygalomorphae
Family:	Theraphosidae
Genus:	Brachypelma
Species:	B. albiceps
Binomial name
Brachypelma albiceps Pocock, 1903
Synonyms
Brachypelma ruhnaui Aphonopelma albiceps

The Mexican golden red rump tarantula, Brachypelma albiceps, is species of the genus Brachypelma. The carapace is a light golden color with black legs and a black abdomen covered with longer red hairs. Females typically live for about 15 years (up to 20). Males usually live about 5 years or up to 12 months after the last molt.^[1][2]

Habitat

Brachypelma albiceps (formerly Brachypelma ruhnaui) is endemic to the central highlands of Mexico, especially in Guerrero and south of Morelos. In the wild, they build long underground burrows, typically under large rocks, but may inhabit nests abandoned by rodents or other animals. They are most active at night and dusk.^[1]

Food

Their diet typically includes crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, and cockroaches . In captivity, live food is typically required, such as moths, mealworms and pinky mice, as dead food may be ignored.^[3]

Reproduction

Females lay cocoons containing roughly 500 (up to 900) eggs two months after mating. Nymphs hatch 8–10 weeks later.^[1]

Pets

B. albiceps is commonly available at pet stores. Lighting is not needed, as these spiders naturally prefer darkness.^[1]

References