Mexican Pink Tarantula Care

Mexican Pink Tarantula Care

Species: Brachypelma klaasi
Common Names: Mexican Pink Tarantula, Mexican Beauty

The Mexican Pink Tarantula (Brachypelma klaasi) is a New World terrestrial tarantula native to the mountainous regions of western Mexico, primarily in the states of Jalisco and Nayarit. It inhabits dry forests and scrubland, often found near the bases of trees or within natural burrows.

Famed for its subtle yet stunning pinkish-red hairs and docile nature, B. klaasi is a patient, deliberate species — an excellent display tarantula that rarely causes trouble for its keeper.

Quick Facts

  • Scientific Name: Brachypelma klaasi
  • Common Names: Mexican Pink Tarantula, Mexican Beauty
  • Origin: Western Mexico (Jalisco & Nayarit)
  • Adult Size: 13–15 cm (5–6 inches) leg span
  • Lifespan: Females 25–30 years; Males 7–10 years
  • Temperament: Calm, shy, occasionally flicky
  • Experience Level: Beginner to Intermediate

Appearance

The Mexican Pink Tarantula is admired for its understated beauty:

  • Legs: Black with dense, shimmering pinkish to magenta hairs
  • Carapace: Bronze to copper-orange tone
  • Abdomen: Deep brown to black, covered with fine red or pink setae

Under good lighting, the pink highlights appear almost metallic — giving the species its “Mexican Pink” nickname. It’s a sophisticated beauty rather than a bold one.

Housing & Enclosure

As a terrestrial burrower, B. klaasi requires a stable, dry environment with deep substrate and a secure hide.

Recommended enclosure sizes:

  • Juveniles: 20 × 20 × 20 cm
  • Adults: 30 × 30 × 30 cm (12 × 12 × 12 inches)

Setup guidelines:

  • Substrate depth: 10–15 cm (4–6 inches) for burrowing
  • Include a hide (cork bark or half log)
  • Provide a water dish
  • Ensure good airflow

This species is not overly active, preferring to stay close to its hide or burrow.

Substrate & Decoration

Recommended substrate:

  • Dry coco fiber, topsoil, or soil/sand mix
  • Keep mostly dry with a slightly damp corner if needed

Decoration ideas:

  • Naturalistic with cork bark, moss, and leaf litter
  • Sparse plants to mimic its dry-forest habitat

Avoid excessive moisture — B. klaasi thrives in a dry, well-ventilated setup.

Temperature & Humidity

  • Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)
  • Humidity: 55–65%

Maintain a warm, moderately dry environment with good ventilation. Keep a small portion of substrate lightly dampened if ambient humidity is very low.

Always provide a clean water dish with fresh water.

Feeding & Water

Feeding schedule:

  • Slings: Every 5–7 days
  • Juveniles: Every 7–10 days
  • Adults: Every 10–14 days

Diet:

  • Crickets, dubia roaches, locusts, and mealworms
  • Avoid large prey that could stress the tarantula

This species eats well but, like most Brachypelma, may fast before molting.

Behavior & Temperament

Brachypelma klaasi is calm, shy, and slow-moving. While not as hair-flicky as B. boehmei, it will use its urticating hairs if repeatedly disturbed.

Behavioral notes:

  • Calm and deliberate
  • Occasionally defensive during maintenance
  • Prefers to retreat rather than display aggression
  • Rarely bites

Overall, it’s a well-behaved and manageable tarantula — perfect for display and observation.

Handling

Handling is possible but should be kept to a minimum. B. klaasi tends to freeze or slowly walk away rather than react aggressively, but can flick hairs if startled.

Tips:

  • Handle over a soft surface
  • Keep sessions short
  • Avoid sudden movements

Its calm nature makes it suitable for cautious, experienced handlers.

Molting

B. klaasi grows slowly but steadily. Molting frequency decreases significantly once adulthood is reached.

Pre-molt signs:

  • Dull, faded coloration
  • Refusal to eat
  • Webbing over hide entrance
  • Reduced activity

Wait 10–14 days post-molt before feeding again, ensuring fangs have hardened fully.

Common Health Issues

This species is hardy and low-maintenance if kept in the proper conditions.

  • Over-humidity: May lead to fungal growth
  • Dehydration: Always keep a water dish filled
  • Falls: Avoid tall setups — keep the enclosure horizontally oriented

With care and consistency, B. klaasi is one of the longest-lived Brachypelma species.

Breeding (Overview)

Breeding B. klaasi is possible but less common due to its rarity:

  • Pair during the cooler months
  • Males perform gentle drumming
  • Females produce 200–400 eggs after 2–3 months
  • Spiderlings are hardy but slow-growing

Captive breeding helps reduce wild collection, as this species is protected under CITES Appendix II.

Quick Care Checklist

  • Type: Terrestrial burrower
  • Enclosure: 30 × 30 × 30 cm
  • Substrate: Dry soil/coco mix (10–15 cm)
  • Temperature: 24–28°C
  • Humidity: 55–65%
  • Feeding: Crickets/roaches every 10–14 days
  • Handling: Calm but limited

Final Thoughts

The Mexican Pink Tarantula (Brachypelma klaasi) is a rare beauty — subtle, refined, and gentle. Its shimmering pink highlights and calm demeanor make it an elegant addition to any collection.

Though slower-growing and occasionally shy, its reliability and long lifespan make it a rewarding companion for decades. A true treasure among New World terrestrials and a shining example of Brachypelma’s understated charm.

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