Texas Brown Tarantula

Texas Brown Tarantula key facts

Care level

Beginner-friendly

Lifespan

Females 30+ years; males about a year after maturing

Size

10-12.5cm leg span

Temperature

21〜25℃

Humidity

Diet

Live insects such as crickets and roaches

Temperature & Humidity

Ordinary room temperature of 21-25 C works well. It prefers dry conditions: keep the substrate dry, dampening it only slightly with occasional misting or by overflowing the water dish.

Enclosure

A terrestrial burrower. Use a horizontal enclosure with deep substrate, a cork bark hide and a shallow water dish. Keep the enclosure low to avoid falls that can rupture the abdomen.

Diet & Feeding

Live insects such as crickets and roaches: adults every 3-4 weeks, spiderlings once or twice a week. Do not feed right after a moult until the mouthparts have hardened.

Temperament & Venom

One of the more tolerant species. When threatened it rears up and kicks urticating hairs from the abdomen; these irritate skin and eyes, so keep your face away.

Notes

Bites are not reported to cause serious harm, but the large fangs make the puncture painful and prone to secondary infection. Growth is slow and females take years to mature.

About Texas Brown Tarantula

A large, docile ground-dwelling tarantula native to the southern US. Beginner-friendly, with a 10-12.5cm leg span and females that can live 30+ years.

7 things to know before welcoming a Texas Brown Tarantula

1. 1Keep the Enclosure Dry

   This species comes from dry grassland habitat and doesn't tolerate excess humidity well. Keep the substrate on the dry side with a shallow water dish always available, and choose a well-ventilated enclosure to avoid damp conditions.

2. 2A Natural Burrower

   In the wild, this tarantula digs and lives in burrows. Providing deep enough substrate along with a hide or piece of driftwood gives it the security it needs to settle in comfortably.

3. 3Calm, Easygoing Temperament

   Texas Browns are known for a mild disposition, tending to retreat rather than display defensively when startled. That said, they're still wild animals, so handling should be kept minimal to avoid unnecessary stress.

4. 4Colors Brighten After a Molt

   The usual muted brown becomes noticeably richer right after shedding its exoskeleton. It's normal for appetite and activity to drop before and after a molt, so simply leave it undisturbed during this time.

5. 5Females Live for Decades, Males Don't

   Females can live 30 years or more, making this a genuine long-term commitment. Males, on the other hand, mature much faster and typically live only about a year after reaching maturity, which is worth knowing before choosing a sex.

6. 6Feeding Is Infrequent

   This species feeds on live insects such as crickets. Adults have a slow metabolism and don't need frequent meals, and any uneaten prey should be removed promptly to keep the enclosure clean.

7. 7A Great Beginner Species

   Thanks to its docile nature and hardiness, this tarantula is widely regarded as an excellent starter species. Even so, it is venomous like all tarantulas, so basic care should be taken to avoid bites when handling the enclosure.

Frequently asked questions about Texas Brown Tarantula

Q.Can beginners keep a Texas Brown Tarantula?

A.Yes, it's considered a beginner-friendly species thanks to its calm temperament and easy care requirements. As long as you keep the enclosure on the dry side and feed it regularly, it's a manageable first tarantula.

Q.How big does this tarantula get?

A.Adults reach a leg span of roughly 10 to 12.5 cm. That puts it among the larger tarantula species, with an impressive presence once fully grown.

Q.What's the lifespan of a Texas Brown Tarantula?

A.Females are known to live 30 years or more, making them one of the longer-lived tarantula species. Males, however, typically live only about a year after reaching maturity, so lifespan differs sharply by sex.

Q.Is it aggressive, and should I worry about bites?

A.Texas Browns are generally docile and tend to flee rather than act defensively when startled. Still, as a wild animal it should be handled carefully, and unnecessary handling is best avoided.

Q.Are there any legal restrictions on keeping this species?

A.The Texas Brown Tarantula is not listed under CITES.

Learn more about Texas Brown Tarantula in the encyclopedia

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