Bonnetina tanzeri is a beautiful Mexican dwarf tarantula with rich coloration, a calm presence, and the fascinating behaviors that make smaller New World species so rewarding to keep. This species is a great choice for keepers who appreciate unique, lesser-seen tarantulas with character.
| ⭐ Special Notices |
| 🕷️ Notes |
Bonnetina tanzeri appreciates a secure enclosure with good ventilation, a comfortable substrate depth, and a hide it can use to feel protected. Check out my YouTube channel for care, setup, feeding, and show-and-tell videos to see how we keep and feed our tarantulas: Urban Tarantulas YouTube. |
| 🛠️ Care Details |
| 🌡️ Temperature |
75–85°F (24–29°C). Warmer temperatures usually mean faster growth because they molt more often. |
| 💧 Humidity |
Around 50–60% humidity is suitable. Avoid swampy conditions and avoid letting the enclosure become completely bone dry. |
| 🏠 Housing |
| Babies |
Use a 1–4 oz deli cup with needle ventilation. FREE container at checkout IF requested; not included otherwise. |
| Juveniles |
A secure terrestrial enclosure with enough substrate for light burrowing and a hide. Larger specimens can use an enclosure about 2–3x their body size. |
| Adults |
Provide a terrestrial setup with a hide, ventilation, and room to move naturally. Flexible sizing based on the individual tarantula. |
| 🍽️ General Diet |
| Feeding |
Crickets + roaches (Dubia, Red Runner, Lobster). Babies eat baby crickets/roaches. If prey is too big, pre-kill by crushing the head, leave it, then remove leftovers/bolus. We never use pinhead crickets because they do not provide enough protein. Occasional treats for super large specimens can include pinky/hopper mice or feeder lizards very sparingly; excess calcium can cause constipation/pooping issues. |
| 📚 In-depth Facts |
| 🕷️ Latin name / Scientific name |
Bonnetina tanzeri |
| 📛 Common name(s) |
Bonnetina tanzeri Mexican tarantula |
| 🌡️ Temperature |
75–85°F (24–29°C) |
| 💧 Humidity |
Approximately 50–60% |
| 📍 Locale |
Mexico |
| 🏷️ Category |
Terrestrial, New World, light burrower, may create some webbing around its hide |
| 📏 Size |
Female DLS: around 3–4 inches. Male DLS: around 2.5–3 inches. Maximum size varies by individual. |
| 🪶 Urticating hairs |
Yes, like many New World tarantulas, it can use urticating hairs as a defense. |
| ⏳ Growth rate |
Slow to moderate growth rate. |
| 🧭 Life span |
Females can live many years with proper care; males typically have shorter adult lives. |
| 🍽️ Feeding |
A reliable eater on appropriately sized insects. |
| 🎯 Recommended levels |
Great for keepers who enjoy unique Mexican species and want a smaller tarantula with beautiful behaviors and personality. |
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| ⚠️ Safety Disclaimer |
Safety Disclaimer: Tarantula bites are extremely rare, and there are no recorded human fatalities. Venom strength varies by species; Old World tarantulas are usually more potent than New World tarantulas, with Poecilotheria known for especially strong venom. Larger tarantulas may also deliver more venom.
If bitten, stay calm. Most symptoms fade within minutes to hours, though potent species may cause discomfort for up to a week. In 13 years, I’ve only been bitten once, and symptoms were gone after one week.
Handling is at your own risk. I’m not responsible for bites or injuries. Always prioritize your safety and the tarantula’s well-being. |
