Formerly known as Bumba cabocla (and before that Maraca cabocla), the Brazilian Red Head is a severely underrated species that deserves way more attention. They have a truly unique look: deep, velvety black legs and abdomen contrasted by a fiery, bright red or orange carapace. It looks like an ember glowing in the dark. While they are a New World terrestrial species, they can be a bit more skittish and bolty than your average Brachypelma, but their striking appearance and generally hardy nature make them a fantastic addition to any collection.
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📢 Special Notices & Resources
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Substrate Note: This species is an opportunistic burrower. I recommend providing slightly deeper substrate than usual for a terrestrial, as they often like to dig out a retreat under a cork bark hide.
Check out my YouTube channel for setup guides to see how I arrange hides to make them feel secure (which helps them stay out on display more often).
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💡 Care Details
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🌡️ Temperature
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75–85°F (24–29°C). Like most Brazilian species, they appreciate the warmth and will grow faster and be more active at higher temperatures within this range.
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💧 Humidity
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65–75%. They are not a swamp species, but they don't like it bone dry either. I keep a water dish full and overflow it slightly to keep one corner of the substrate moist, allowing the rest to stay relatively dry.
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🏠 Housing
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Babies (Slings)
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1–4 oz deli cup with needle ventilation.
(FREE container available at checkout IF requested).
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Juveniles
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Enclosure 2–3× body size. A small Kritter Keeper or acrylic box works well. Provide a hide.
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Adults
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Standard terrestrial enclosure (5–10 gallon size). Provide 3–4 inches of substrate and a cork bark hide.
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🍽️ General Diet
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Crickets + roaches (Dubia, Red Runner, Lobster, Madagascar Hissing). For babies, I use baby crickets or baby roaches. If the prey is too big, I pre-kill it (crush the head) and leave it; I always remove leftovers or the bolus the next day. Occasional treats for super large specimens can include a pinky/hopper mouse or feeder lizard, but very sparingly (excess calcium can cause constipation). We never use pinhead crickets because they do not provide enough protein.
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🔍 In-depth Facts
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🕷️ Latin Name
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Bumba horrida (formerly Bumba cabocla)
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📛 Common Name
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Brazilian Red Head
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🌡️ Temperature
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75–85°F
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💧 Humidity
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65–75%
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📍 Locale
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Northern Brazil
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🏷️ Category
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New World Terrestrial / Opportunistic Burrower
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📏 Size
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Medium size, approx. 4–5 inches DLS
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🪶 Urticating Hairs
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Yes. (Can be irritating to sensitive skin)
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⏳ Growth Rate
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Medium
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🧭 Life Span
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Females 15+ years | Males 3–4 years
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🍽️ Feeding
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Good feeding response
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🎯 Recommended Levels
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Beginner / Intermediate (Skittish, but hardy)
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🎁 Social & Freebies
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🎁 Follow me on social media and receive an additional freebie*
*Email me after you follow to let me know you’re a follower so I can include it.
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⚠️ Safety Disclaimer
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Safety Disclaimer: Experiencing a tarantula bite is an extremely rare occurrence, and it's important to note that there have been NO recorded fatalities due to a tarantula bite. The venom potency varies across species, with Old World tarantulas generally having stronger venom than their New World counterparts. Within the Old World category, the Poecilotheria genus is known for having particularly potent venom.
It's crucial to approach tarantulas with respect and understanding. If you happen to get bitten, which is unlikely, the key is to stay calm. In most cases, the discomfort is superficial and subsides within a few minutes to a few hours. However, bites from species with more potent venom may result in symptoms lasting up to a week. Remember, larger tarantulas tend to have more venom than smaller ones.
Please be aware that I cannot assume responsibility for bites. Tarantula handling should be done at your own risk. In my 13 years of experience with these creatures, I have only been bitten once, by a species with highly potent venom. While the experience was painful, the symptoms had completely disappeared after a week.
Handle tarantulas responsibly, and always prioritize your safety and the well-being of the tarantula.
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