Brachypelma Smithi is the scientific name of the Mexican red knee tarantula. The Mexican in their name pays homage to their origin on the Pacific coast of Mexico.
The Mexican red knee tarantulas live in arid regions with minimal vegetation. As the name indicates, these Mexican red knee tarantulas have long black legs, with orange or red bands. Their abdomens are black. Adult Mexican red knee tarantulas grow to be a 5-6 inch leg span.
Mexican red knee tarantulas live in deserts, dry thorn forests, and scrublands.
Mexican Red knee Tarantula care:
Mexican Redknee tarantulas are great exotic pets! They are famous for their appearance. Mexican red knee tarantulas are very calm. A glass terrarium is the best housing option for the red knee tarantula. The Mexican red knee tarantulas dwell on land, they are not arboreal.
The best indicator to help decide the size of their tank is via the red knee tarantulas legs. 3 times the length of the legs should be the width of the enclosure.
Humidity should be at 50% for the red knee tarantula’s wellbeing. What is your favorite season? Mexican red knee tarantulas love a little heat. A heating pad underneath the tank is a must. The temperature inside the tank should be between 24 to 27 degrees Celsius at all times.
Unlike their cousins, the Mexican red knee tarantulas enjoy basking in the light. But, the light must not add to the temperature of the enclosure. A water bowl inside the tank is vital for the red knee tarantula. The Mexican red knee tarantulas will molt, like a ball python. Disturbing them when they begin to molt, could kill your Mexican red knee tarantula. Let them be.
Mexican Red knee tarantulas also enjoy burrowing. The glass tank should have ample space for them to move freely, and enclosures they can hide in. Gut loaded crickets, mealworms, and waxworms can be part of their diet. Although, Mexican red knee tarantulas have a venomous bite.
When disturbed, Mexican red knee tarantulas are capable of biting and hurting you. Be very careful when it comes to handling the red knee tarantula.
For the Mexican red knee tarantula, the glass enclosure is like an escape room. If the tank is not securely shut, the Mexican red knee tarantula will escape. The Mexican red knee tarantulas as pets are not fussy.
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Mexican red knee tarantula facts:
- Mexican red knee tarantulas have hairs on their abdomen. In case of a threat, Mexican red knee tarantulas begin flicking hairs. These urticating hairs are not dangerous but can cause skin rashes. It can as pepper sprays. The hairs also affect the eyes of the predator.
- Lizards, birds, and moths are predators of the Mexican red knee tarantulas. As a defense mechanism, Mexican red knee tarantulas flick their hair. This urticating hair can make the predator blind.
- A Mexican red knee tarantula molts at least 20 times. Regenerating lost skin and hair each time. This occurs over 4 years until the red knee tarantula is an adult.
- Mexican red knee tarantulas eat one to 3 times a week only. They are carnivores. Mexican red knee tarantulas kill their prey by injecting venom.
- The Mexican red knee tarantulas are nocturnal. They are very active at night.
- Mexican Red knee refers to the joints of the Mexican red knee tarantula. Each leg has 3 joints that are reddish-orange.
- Did you know, that the red knee tarantulas used to be imported to China? This was because people were so fascinated by the small creature. So much so, that the red knee tarantulas were almost endangered. Yet, breeders have kept this species flourishing.
- Mexican red knee tarantulas have sensitive patches at the end of each of their legs. This helps them detect smells and vibrations. Sometimes even taste. Mexcian red knee tarantulas have their very own 6th sense!
- Male Mexican red knee tarantulas flee after their mate. This is because the female red knee tarantulas get aggressive. They are capable of even killing their mates.
- Mexican red knee tarantulas have 8 eyes around their head. A whole 360-degree view of their surroundings is processed at once.
- The number of spiderlings that are born ranges from 200 to 400!
- Do you love magic shows? Well, if you adopt a Mexican red knee tarantula, you can have your magic show! Mexican Red knee tarantulas go through molting. That is the process of shedding old skin. The Mexican red knee tarantula will lie on its back while doing so. Your pet Mexican red knee tarantula might also have a bald spot on its abdomen. The molting is also a regenerative process. If the Mexican red knee tarantula has lost a limb or two, they will regrow while molting. There you have it, your Mexican red knee tarantula 2.0.
- Mexican red knee tarantulas have 2 claws on each foot. This helps them climb.
Mexican Redknee tarantula lifespan:
There is a gender disparity when it comes to their lifespans. The male red knee tarantulas live only for 10 years. The female red knee tarantulas can live up to 30 years! That is for 3 decades!!
Here’s a video for you to see how to handle your exotic Mexican red knee tarantula!
Mexican red knee tarantulas mate during July and August. The male Mexican red knee tarantula weaves a web on the mate’s abdomen when it deposits his sperm. The female Mexican red knee tarantulas wrap their eggs in a silk sac.
The gestation period for the Mexican red knee tarantulas is 3 months. Male Mexican red knee tarantulas do not molt once they are mature. Females, however, molt even after they mature at 7 years of age.
The IUCN is the International Union for Conservation of Nature. According to the IUCN, the Mexican red knee tarantulas are “near threatened”. The Mexican red knee tarantulas are also listed in appendix 2 of CITES. That is the Convention on International trade in endangered species.
Hence, some states may require special permits to house the Mexican red knee tarantula as a pet. With overpopulation, global warming and deforestation, the mexican red knee are at risk of extinction.
This was all about Mexican Red Knee tarantula! Feel free to send us your doubts in the comment section below