Mexican Redknee Tarantula

They are among the most popular tarantulas available in the pet trade, due to their impressive size and striking coloration. A similar terrestrial tarantula is named Mexican Painted Redleg ("Brachypelma emilia").

Description

The mature Mexican redknee tarantula has a dark-colored body with orange patches on the joints of its legs; the second element of the legs (the trochanter) is orange-red. Following moulting, the colors are more pronounced. The dark portion is very black while the orange-red portions will be far more on the reddish side. This is usually the best time to take pictures.

An adult female has a body roughly 4 inches (10cm) long, with a legspan of 6–7 inches (15 to 18 cm), and a weight of approximately 15 to 16 grams, and usually contains large amount of venom.

Scientific Name:

Brachypelma smithi

Size:

Mexican Redknee Tarantulas reach a leg span of about 5 - 5.5 inches.

Life Span (females):

15-25 years (some sources say up to 30 years). As with other tarantulas, the males have a much shorter life span

Housing:

A small (5-10 gallon) tank is suitable for Mexican Redknee Tarantulas. The width of the tank should be two to three times wider than the leg span of the spider wide, and only as tall as the spider's leg span. 2-3 inches of peat moss, soil, or vermiculite can be used as a substrate. Wood, cork bark, or half of a small clay flower pot can be used for a shelter/retreat.

Temperatue:

75-80 F (24-30 C)

Humidity:

60-75%

Feeding:

Crickets and other large insects (abolutely must be pesticide free), occasional pinky mouse.
Temperament: Mexican Redknee Tarantulas are generally docile and calm.
Notes: This is the "classic" pet tarantula and has enjoyed tremendous popularity due to its beauty, temperament and long life span.

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