The Bio Dude | Your #1 shop for all things reptile! | Spend $75 get $9.95 Flat Rate Shipping | Current order processing time up to 2 business days | NOTICE: We currently cannot ship live plants to California.
  1. Home
  2. Arachnid Caresheets
  3. The Care and Maintenance of the Mexican Fireleg Tarantula
The Dude's Blog Library - Tons of articles and how-to at your fingertips!

The Care and Maintenance of the Mexican Fireleg Tarantula

RSS
The Care and Maintenance of the Mexican Fireleg Tarantula
Difficulty Level: Intermediate

The Mexican Fireleg Tarantula is one of the most visually stunning tarantulas you can keep as a pet. Known scientifically as Brachypelma boehmei, this species sports a deep black abdomen and bright orange or red legs, giving them a bold, unmistakable appearance. While their looks might steal the spotlight, their care is also quite manageable, making them an excellent addition to a responsible keeper's collection. They tend to be a little more defensive than other Brachypelma species, often kicking urticating hairs at the slightest disturbance, so they’re better suited to those who understand tarantula behavior and respect their space. You will not want to attempt to handle this species.

With slow growth and long lifespans (females can live over 20 years), this rewarding species thrives with patience and proper husbandry.

Natural History and Description

Native to the dry scrublands and rocky terrain of Guerrero, Mexico, Brachypelma boehmei is a terrestrial, opportunistic burrower. In the wild, they often take over abandoned burrows or dig into the base of rocks and vegetation. Though they share other similarities with B. hamorii and B. smithi, they have vibrant, orange legs and a velvety black body. 

Females can reach a diagonal leg span of about 6.5" and can live up to 25 years in captivity. Males mature faster and usually live for 7-8 years. This species has a moderate growth rate, not as slow as Aphonopelma, but still requiring years to reach maturity. While they can be defensive, they make excellent display animals thanks to their bold coloration and tendency to remain visible.

Recommended Supplies for a Mexican Fireleg Tarantula

Enclosure Size & Setup

Spiderlings

  • Use a Sling Crib, 3" Tarantula Cube, or similar.

  • Fill 2/3 of the space with Terra Aranea.

  • Keep a corner of the substrate slightly damp. Add a small water dish if space allows or drip water weekly.

Juveniles

Sub-Adults

Adults

  • Use a Large Slider Crib, 12" or 18" Cube, or Terrestrial XL.

  • Floor space should be 3-5x their leg span.

  • Fill at least halfway with substrate. Fall distance from top to substrate should not exceed 1.5x their leg span.

Lighting, Heating & Humidity

Lighting: No UVB needed. Use a Solar Grow LED to support plant life and photoperiods.

Heating: Maintain 68°F-76°F (20-24°C). Avoid overhead heat. If needed, use a side-mounted heat pad with a thermostat.

Humidity: Moderate humidity is ideal. Keep lower substrate layers moist while allowing top layers to dry out. Overflow the water dish occasionally to moisten one section.

Substrate

Use Terra Aranea as your main substrate. Mix in Leaf Litter and Sphagnum Moss to help hold humidity. Compress lightly to support burrowing. Exo Terra Stone Desert can be added for aesthetics and additional texture. Springtails can help manage mold.

Décor & Plants

Use cork bark, seed pods, and dried leaves for cover and structure. Live plants like pothos or arrowhead vine can be added but expect some trampling. Pillow moss in a corner creates a humidity gradient. Avoid sharp or heavy decor that could fall onto the tarantula and cause harm to their fragile abdomen.

Feeding Schedule

Spiderlings

  • Feed 2x per week with fruit flies, pinhead crickets, or small roach nymphs.

  • Pre-kill prey if it is larger than 2/3 their size.

  • Remove uneaten prey after 24 hours.

  • After Molt: Wait 24–48 hours.

Juveniles

  • Feed every 7–10 days with 2–3 small to medium crickets or similar-sized roaches. Red runners are a favorite.

  • Avoid prey larger than the tarantula’s abdomen.

  • After Molt: Wait 5–7 days before feeding.

Adults

  • Feed every 2–3 weeks with 4–5 large crickets or one large Dubia roach.

  • Vary diet with occasional mealworms or hornworms.

  • After Molt: Wait 10–14 days before feeding.

Adjust feeding frequency based on abdomen size: thinner than carapace = feed more; wider = feed less.

Supplements

Tarantulas don’t need supplements. Gutload your feeder insects with fruits and vegetables 24 hours before feeding.

Temperament

Mexican Firelegs are known for their defensive streak. They’re quick to kick urticating hairs and can be skittish when disturbed. Their Type III urticating hairs are among the most irritating, so always wear gloves and avoid contact with your face or eyes when working in their enclosure. You can learn about the other types of urticating hairs in this article and what distinguishes them from one another. 

That said, they calm down with age and can become fairly predictable, spending a lot of time out on display.

Final Thoughts

Brachypelma boehmei is as feisty as they are beautiful. With vivid colors, long lifespan, and a hardy nature, they’re an outstanding choice for intermediate keepers or cautious beginners. Their defensive tendencies and irritating hairs make them a hands-off species, but as a display tarantula, they truly shine. Supporting captive-bred specimens helps preserve wild populations and keeps this incredible species available to future generations.

If you’re ready for a bold, rewarding tarantula with a fiery personality and presence, the Mexican Fireleg is a top-tier pick.

Written by Richard from Tarantula Collective – 5/14/2025

 

← Previous Post

  • Josh Halter