Brachypelma vagans

Brachypelma vagans, meaning Mexican red-bottomed tarantula, is part of the
Species: vagans.It lives mainly in Mexico but can also be found in more remote areas such as Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala and St. Lucie County, Florida (it is now considered a non-native species established in that state, where it is believed to have been introduced by accidental or intentional emissions of specimens imported through the pet trade, although their numbers are declining due to their feeding on pesticide-poisoned insects).Quite extensive, from lowland forest (for example, in Yucatan) to Evergreen lowland forests and up to the savanna of southern Mexico. This species prefers a wetter climate than most Brachypelms. The preferred temperature range of this species ranges from 20-26grc and a humidity of 70% – 75%.

Brachypelma vagans

It is known that this species is a voracious predator that eats almost everything it can defeat, but in captivity it is good to provide it with food smaller in size than the tarantula itself. Young specimens can be fed with flour worms or juveniles of Blaptica dubia and Nauphoeta cinerea. Larger specimens can be fed on grasshoppers, crickets, mature beetles of Blaptica dubia or Nauphoeta cinerea and even an occasional mouse cub.

Features of Brachypelma vagans

As with other tarantulas the biology of Brachypelma vagans is little known (Carter 1997). Adult females reach 5-7.5 cm body length and legspan (size with legs) up to 13.5 cm. The males are somewhat smaller and with a smaller abdomen than the female, with longer legs relative to the body and much more delicate. The Tarantula is entirely black except for the red-brown hairs on the abdomen, females also have red-brown hair on legs III and IV (Baxter 1993). It is a gallery-digging species making Burrows 4-5 cm in diameter and up to 45 cm deep. They are nocturnal predators, feeding on arthropods, various insects or even small vertebrates (Marshall 1996). The predators of the tarantula Brachypelma vagans in Florida are some mammals, and the young population is vulnerable to other arthropods but also to frogs.
Like all tarantulas in the new world they defend against predators with hives brushes on the abdomen, these reaching the skin causes irritation similar to those caused by fiberglass but if the bristles enter the mucous membranes or especially the eyes, it causes a very great discomfort or even injuries. This species has not been reported to possess a serious bite for humans (Breene 1996). in Florida, male and female specimens with juveniles are more prevalent in the fall, although specimens of all ages are found throughout the year. This is undoubtedly due to the fact that individuals of this species live for many years. Some species of this genus live 25 years in nature and can reach more in captivity if properly bred. The maturation period in the Wild is between 5 and 7 years but in captivity at Brachypelma vagans can be brought to 2-3 years(Baxter 1993).
The establishment of the species in Florida is not at all surprising, parts of the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico are somewhat similar in type of vegetation, soil and climate. but we really can't know exactly how this species got to Florida. An older hypothesis is that only one pregnant female was escaped or released. This hypothesis was supported by a Capture (among the first catches) of a male that in the laboratory shed and came out deformed. For this reason it was suspected that the deformation was caused by endogamy. but since then many perfectly healthy specimens have been captured and it is now believed that the individual was deformed due to injury during capture. It is likely that this population has been in this location for over ten years, indirectly supporting the claim that several specimens were released by a breeder in the area or were brought in by a commercial importer in the 1970s. A viable observation was that of a pair of herpetologists searching for reptiles along a paved road, of an adult male Brachypelma vagans in 1989, a case that was reported in 1996 after the publication of the male's discovery in Florida. The fact that the male was an adult shows us that the population has been here since at least 1986. Why they have not become more widespread is not understandable, but it is known that they have a restriction to habitat and do not have a large dispersion (Gertsch 1979). The impact of the species on the Florida fauna can be dangerous being an invasive species, just as many exotic species are known to have settled here due to the climate and habitat similar to the native one, having a harmful effect on the indigenous fauna, therefore it would be naive to assume that this species would not have similar effects on the indigenous fauna(Thomas 1995).

Terrarium

In general, the size of the terrarium depends on the size of the tarantula. Chickens can be kept in small plastic boxes and large specimens in terrariums with dimensions of 30cmX30cmX30cm, with coconut substrate or peat where they will provide tarantulas a dry and a wet part so that they can choose the level of humidity they need (and too much moisture can damage the tarantula!). Brachypelma vagans is a burrowing species so it is good to have a thick enough substrate for it or you can put an artificial hiding place and optionally different ornaments to imitate the natural environment. The room temperature of 20grc is okay for this species so it does not necessarily require a heating method, the terrarium can be equipped with thermometer and hygrometer to take into account the temperature and humidity of the terrarium (which must be 70% -75%).

Venom

All species of tarantulas possess venom. Although it is not very potent, bites are never placute.De like any species of tarantula and Brachypelma vagans it can be unpredictable and a bite can occur at any time. For these reasons we recommend maximum attention when the tarantula is fed, moved or when its terrarium is cleaned.
It is not recommended to handle tarantulas.

Breeding Brachypelma vagans

At Brachypelma vagans the incubation period is 69 days (source of information: McKee, 1986). The average incubation temperature is 27grc and the relative humidity is 80%. The female makes silk egg bags, 4-5 cm in diameter, and the juveniles (called "spiderlings" in English) stay around the mother for several weeks before dispersing. Four females in the laboratory made bags with an average of 100 juveniles but there were also reported many cases with 300 juveniles for this species (Moore 1994), with unpublished reports up to 800 (Y. Evanou, personal communication 1998). during the breeding season feeding is very important and it is indicated that insects or small vertebrates with which they are fed to be given minerals and vitamins (for example in a box with calcium dust put the insect with which the tarantula is fed and shake a little so we provide the tarantula mineral surplus in small quantities necessary for her such as calcium dust deposited on the insect).
A.
We give the female a thick enough undercoat to dig a vision and make sure there's enough room for the male to escape in case the female attacks him. The male will be introduced into the female's terrarium. After mating, the tarantula retreats and begins the construction of the place where the egg sac will stand, followed by its production and also by the laying of eggs. The inconvenience of this method is that you can not monitor the development stages of the eggs and they could be attacked by mites.
B.
Enough substrate can be left for a burrow, only that the egg sac will be taken and put in an incubator, but the juveniles in the first weeks of life will not have the protection of the female until dispersal, but will be spared from the attack of mites or infection with some types of worms due to the sterility of the incubation environment.
In both methods, maximum hygiene will be kept, the substrate will be sterilized and will not be decorated. Any human interference can only be carried out in emergency cases. The male must also be well cared for before mating and must be provided with the necessary moisture to prevent the sperm from drying out. He will also be provided with nutrient-rich meals. The female will be provided with abundant food so as not to attack the male.