Raul (Brachypelma boehmei) Quick stats: Type: Terrestrial, but may burrow some Size (approx): 5¾" female Feeding: Large crickets, roaches, zoophobas, etc. Enclosure: 5.5 Gallon aquarium Substrate: 5" bed-a-beast Furnishings: Cork bark shelter, terra cotta water dish Temp/Humidity: 80-84°F, 50-60% humidity Temperment: Major hair-kicker Recieved From: Arachnocentric on 01/18/2000 Raul's photo album

Raul 6-8 hours after her 06/15/2000 molt! Put on your sunglasses baby!

Species Information: Brachypelma boehmei is a close relative of the well known Brachypelma smithi. The most common, common names are Mexican Fireleg and Mexican Beauty. They are a Mexican, dry scrubland species like their red knee cousins. From what I've heard they have a similar temperment, but can be a bit more nervous and don't hesitate to kick hairs. They're a pretty typical opportunistic burrower. They'll try to find some sort of shelter, then may do some digging to make it a little more to their liking. They can reach about six inches in legspan as adults.

Feeding: She eats lots. Prior to getting her, I heard that this species was slow growing. I found quite the opposite to be true. She has a big appetite and a growth rate to match. Speed of growth is one very major difference between these guys and B. smithi.

"C" is for crickets, and that's good enough for me.

Housing: The container is a 5.5 gallon aquarium with several inches of bed-a-beast. I buried some empty 2-liters and other lightweight objects to reduce the weight of the cage and the amount of substrate needed. Her retreat is a cork bark shelter which she rarely uses. She likes it quite dry. 50% seems fine though she likes an occasional misting and prefers it slightly more humid than the G. rosea. If it gets too high she starts climbing the walls. The temp is 80-82°F.

Temperment: She mostly does nothing, but sometimes when disturbed she'll move quickly and not hesitate to kick hairs. She mostly just wants to be left alone, and doesn't much go on the offensive. When she has a burrow, she spends some time in it, but mostly when she's waiting to molt. She is almost always on display at other times.

Molting:   Date   Old LS   New LS     02/16/2000   2½"?   3¼"?      - Notes: Sexed as female.   04/03/2000   3¼"?   3¾"?     06/15/2000   3¾"?   4¾"      - Notes: Color! Zowie!   12/12/2000   4¾"   5¾"

Raul's shed skin from 02/16/2000.

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