Keeper guide

Mexican Rose Grey Lifespan — Male vs Female Tliltocatl verdezi

Male and female Tliltocatl verdezi have very different lifespans. Males generally live roughly 4–6 years, while females can live 15–20 years. Those figures are general estimates from captive keeping, not exact lifespans for every Mexican Rose Grey.

At a glance

Quick facts

World
New World
Origin
Mexico
Lifestyle
Terrestrial
UK hobby rarity
Uncommon
Maximum size
About 14–16 cm (5.5–6.25 in)
Growth rate
Moderate
Male lifespan
Roughly 4–6 years
Female lifespan
Often 15–20 years
Temperament
Generally manageable but individual defensiveness varies
Venom
Venomous, but bites are not generally regarded as medically significant
Temperature
20–25°C
Moisture / humidity
Mostly dry to lightly moisture-retentive with a water dish
CITES
CITES Appendix II; UK Annex B

Male and female lifespan

Male Tliltocatl verdezi are generally expected to live roughly 4–6 years, while females can live 15–20 years. The difference becomes most obvious after maturity.

If you buy a Mexican Rose Grey as an older juvenile or adult, you may never know its exact age. Use the species range as a guide and keep your own dates from the point you acquire the spider.

Why females live longer

Female Tliltocatl verdezi continue moulting after maturity, which allows them to remain healthy adult spiders for many years.

A male Mexican Rose Grey eventually reaches an ultimate moult. After that point his remaining lifespan is usually much shorter than that of an adult female.

Growth and maturity

Mexican Rose Greys are moderate growers. Young spiders normally moult more often than large juveniles and adults, but the time taken to mature varies between individuals.

Do not try to estimate the exact age of Tliltocatl verdezi from size alone. Feeding, temperature, sex and genetics all influence growth.

Feeding and temperature

A practical temperature range for Tliltocatl verdezi is 20–25°C. Stable care and sensible feeding are more useful than trying to force rapid growth.

Keeping a Mexican Rose Grey very heavily fed does not guarantee a longer life. Fresh water, suitable food, normal moults and stable enclosure conditions matter more.

Mature males

After the ultimate moult, a male Tliltocatl verdezi may become more active around the enclosure and may eat less often than before maturity.

That change can be normal for a mature male Mexican Rose Grey. Keep water available, continue offering food occasionally and make sure the enclosure remains secure.

Keeping records

Record moult dates for Tliltocatl verdezi and keep suitable exuviae if you want to confirm sex. If the spider was not bought as a tiny sling, record the date acquired and approximate size instead of guessing an exact age.

Over time, those notes make the lifespan of a Mexican Rose Grey easier to put into context and help show when growth and feeding patterns change.