SPECIAL NOTE: USPS forbids shipping venomous spiders or scorpions in the mail.

Because of this, we ship these animals FedEx priority overnight for a flat fee of $39.99.

Defining Characteristics:

• Another wonderful Tliltocatl species with the central part of it's natural range being in Guatemala.
• Similar in look and temperament to other Tliltocatl red rumped species.
• Great species that likes to stay in the open as adults, making a lovely and well tempered display spider.

Name: Tliltocatl sabulosus is commonly known as the Guatemalan Red Rump Tarantula. The genus Tliltocatl is derived from two Nahuatl words: Tlil- ("black") and -tocatl ("spider"). The species epithet, sabulosus, is Latin and translates to "sandy" or "belonging to sand," likely referring to the species' habitat. 

Recommended Enclosure Size & Setup: Tliltocatl sabulosus is a terrestrial species. Surface area of the enclosure should be no less than two times the spider's diagonal leg span in one direction and three times the diagonal leg span in the other. We recommend against allowing your terrestrial spider more than two times their diagonal leg span as head space above their substrate as a fall from any higher could result in serious injury. ABG mix, coco cradle, or Dig-It are good substrate options, but our Pet Bug Team prefers ABG all the way!

They will benefit from a variety of terrarium furniture (cork bark, manzanita wood, etc.) as well to climb on and foliage to hide behind. Live plants can be beneficial to air quality. 

Temperature (°F): Ideally kept in the mid 70° range with a bit of wiggle room in either direction. Temperatures consistently below 65° or above 85° should be avoided. A reliable thermometer is strongly recommended.

Humidity: 60-70%. 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. A hygrometer is a great way to monitor the humidity for your animal and see any needed adjustments.

Size: Specimens sold by Josh's frogs will be at least 1/2 an inch at time of sale. Adults can reach up to a 6 inch diagonal leg span.

Age: Tliltocatl sabulosus babies sold by Josh's Frogs are at least 2-3 months old. Males reach 4-5 years, with females drastically outliving them at 20+ years.

Feeding: These spiders are currently eating 3 to 6 hydei fruit flies, once a week. As your spider grows, there are a variety of appropriate prey items that you can offer, such as roaches, waxworms, black soldier fly larvae, hornworms, and silkworms. We recommend that the prey items not be much longer than the tarantula's “head” is wide. Larvae are an exception—our larvae are harmless. Since they are very high in fat, they're not the best staple diet, however they make a great weight gain supplement. Consider feeding your prey items with our gutload formula to give your pet well-rounded nutrition.

Remove uneaten prey items after 24 hours, these may stress your animal out or endanger the spider during molting. Never attempt to feed a freshly molted tarantula less than a week after their molt to prevent injury to the spider. Depending on its age, the hardening process could take anywhere from 48 hours all the way up to a week.

Sexing: Due to age, Tliltocatl sabulosus spiderlings sold by Josh's Frogs are sold as unsexed. Specimens of 2.5-3 inch diagonal leg span will be able to start being accurately sexed. The most accurate method is always molt sexing, the molt of a female tarantula of appropriate size will have spermatheca and a uterus externus in between the top two sets of book lungs that will appear as a "flap" that will catch and open if a pin is gently run down this section of the old exoskeleton. Males will have a much more plain slit that will not budge with attempts to manipulate it.

Coloration/patterning: Slings are light brown, growing to a velvety black or dark dusty brown with flame red hairs on the abdomen.

Social behavior: Tliltocatl sabulosus are not social creatures and any attempt to cohabitate will likely result in cannibalism.

Breeding: Spiders housed for breeding purposes should remain supervised when together and should only be attempted well fed. Mature males can be put in the enclosure of a mature female for courtship/mating. Remove male promptly after insertion is observed, or immediately if female is aggressive rather than receptive.

Natural Range: Tliltocatl sabulosus is endemic to Guatemala. Specifically, they were originally collected around the city of Tikal in northern Guatemala.

Links of Interest:

• Arachnoboards: a community of spider enthusiasts that will be able to or have already answered almost any question you can think of with regards to tarantulas.