Keeper guide

Brazilian Red Tarantula Temperature Guide — Nhandu cerradensis

A practical temperature range for Nhandu cerradensis, commonly known as the Brazilian Red Tarantula, is 20–26°C. Stable room conditions matter more than chasing tiny changes on the thermometer.

At a glance

Quick facts

World
New World
Origin
Brazil
Lifestyle
Terrestrial
UK hobby rarity
Rare
Maximum size
About 15–18 cm (6–7 in)
Growth rate
Moderate
Male lifespan
Roughly 3–5 years
Female lifespan
Often 12–18 years
Temperament
Alert and potentially defensive; urticating hairs are present
Venom
Venomous, but bites are not generally regarded as medically significant
Temperature
20–26°C
Moisture / humidity
Water dish and a moderate moisture gradient without waterlogging
CITES
Check current CITES rules before cross-border trade

Working temperature range

Keep Nhandu cerradensis around 20–26°C. Use that as a practical captive range and avoid prolonged exposure to temperatures well outside it.

Nhandu cerradensis do not need the enclosure to hit one exact number all day. Normal small room fluctuations are easier to manage than repeated heating and cooling adjustments.

Measure the shelf, not just the room

Check the temperature where the Nhandu cerradensis enclosure actually sits. Shelves near windows, radiators, computers or external walls can differ from the centre of the room.

A thermometer placed near the enclosure gives more useful information for Nhandu cerradensis than a reading taken across the room.

Avoid direct heat on the enclosure

Do not attach a heat mat directly to a Nhandu cerradensis enclosure. Small containers can develop concentrated hot areas that are much warmer than the surrounding room.

If the room is genuinely too cold for Nhandu cerradensis, warm the room instead and check the temperature at enclosure level. That gives a more even and controllable result.

Summer heat

During hot weather, keep Nhandu cerradensis out of direct sunlight and watch rooms that heat up during the afternoon. A closed window area can become much warmer than expected.

Do not respond to a warm day by soaking the Nhandu cerradensis enclosure. Temperature and substrate moisture are separate husbandry issues.

Winter conditions

In winter, check the coldest part of the day where Nhandu cerradensis is kept. Rooms can cool overnight even when daytime readings look comfortable.

If room heating is used, remember that it may also dry Nhandu cerradensis enclosures faster. Adjust watering to the actual drying rate rather than assuming winter always means wetter substrate.

Use behaviour as context

Temperature readings for Nhandu cerradensis should be considered alongside normal feeding, retreat use and moulting. One slightly different reading is less useful than a consistent pattern over time.

If Nhandu cerradensis suddenly changes behaviour, check temperature along with water, moisture and recent disturbance instead of assuming temperature is the only cause.