Brachypelma genus is a very small group of tarantulas, compared to other genera. There are currently 20 species listed in the world spider catalogue they are;

albopilosum, andrewi, angustum, annitha, auratum, aureoceps

baumgarteni, boehmei

embrithes, emilia, epicureanum

fossorium

hamorii

klaasi

albiceps (formerly ruhnaui (locht et al 2005))

sabulosum, schroederi, smithi

vagans, verdezi

Whether they remain in these species groups is in question, as there is research to be announced in February 2005 into dna testing of the Brachypelma genus.

Nevertheless these are a beautiful group of tarantulas and much sort after because of their looks and the fact that they rarely hide away as do many tarantulas. So they are very good for display.

Most of the species are found in Mexico, spread along the west coast. ruhnaui however are found inland, vagans have the widest spread from coast to coast,(there is also a colony of vagans in the usa but these are believed to have been introduced and are not native), and epicureanum are only found on the Yucatan peninsula.

albopilosum are found in Honduras

sabulosum are found in Guatemala

fossorium are found in Costa rica

embrithes are found in Panama

aureoceps in the USA

angustum in Costa rica

They are a slow growing and long lived family, with females living up to 25 years. Males can mature in three to four years, depending on the conditions in which they are kept. I have known of males reaching maturity in as little as 2 years. As far as size is concerned the adult size is around six inches leg span, this is measured diagonally from toe to toe leg one to leg four in natural position. They are new world tarantulas and are armed with urticating hairs. These are hairs on the abdomen which they kick off with the legs into a cloud. they are irritating and can cause a rash if an individual is allergic to them, they can cause problems with eye sight if they are kicked directly into the eyes, and can cause breathing difficulties if breathed in. it is not that they are poisonous, it is the human bodies response to the hairs which causes the difficulties.

It is their natural defense against predators and is quite effective as the hairs are so fine they can spread in a cloud, they are also barbed and can attach themselves effectively to most things, so they are a useful weapon against any would be attacker.

There natural habitat varies with the regions from which they come, but for most species they have very little rain, the wet season being June to November. If there is any significant rainfall it is likely to be September.