Keeper guide

Mexican Black Velvet Temperature Guide — Tliltocatl schroederi

A practical temperature range for Tliltocatl schroederi, commonly known as the Mexican Black Velvet, is 20–25°C. Stable room conditions matter more than chasing tiny changes on the thermometer.

At a glance

Quick facts

World
New World
Origin
Mexico
Lifestyle
Terrestrial
UK hobby rarity
Uncommon
Maximum size
About 13–15 cm (5–6 in)
Growth rate
Slow
Male lifespan
Roughly 4–6 years
Female lifespan
Often 15–20+ years
Temperament
Usually calm to moderately defensive; may kick hairs
Venom
Venomous, but bites are not generally regarded as medically significant
Temperature
20–25°C
Moisture / humidity
Mostly dry with water always available
CITES
CITES Appendix II; UK Annex B

Working temperature range

Keep Tliltocatl schroederi around 20–25°C. Use that as a practical captive range and avoid prolonged exposure to temperatures well outside it.

Mexican Black Velvets 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 Tliltocatl schroederi 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 a Mexican Black Velvet than a reading taken across the room.

Avoid direct heat on the enclosure

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

If the room is genuinely too cold for Mexican Black Velvets, 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 Tliltocatl schroederi 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 Mexican Black Velvet enclosure. Temperature and substrate moisture are separate husbandry issues.

Winter conditions

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

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

Use behaviour as context

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

If a Mexican Black Velvet suddenly changes behaviour, check temperature along with water, moisture and recent disturbance instead of assuming temperature is the only cause.