Brazilian black tarantulas dont show aggression or hostility, Read More . You can also add cork bark and clay flower pots to provide shelter or a place to hide. . Characteristics, Housing, Diet, and Other Information. Mature Mexican Red Knee tarantulas typically get to be four to five inches in body size, with a leg span of six to seven inches. Notice there is no "triangle" or "arch"? The price depends on age, size, and gender. Common Name: Mexican red-knee tarantula Scientific Names: Brachypelma hamorii or Brachypelma smithi Adult Size: Leg span of around 5 inches, weighing 0.5 ounce Lifespan: 25 to 30 years (female), 5 to 10 years (male) Mexican Red-Knee Tarantula Behavior and Temperament Home Mexican Red-Knee Tarantula Everything You Need to Know. Because female Mexican red-knees live longer, they tend to be more expensive. Mexican red-knees can also suffer from dehydration. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. How to Care for a Pet Mexican Redleg Tarantula, How to Care for a Pet Costa Rican Zebra Tarantula, How to Care for a Pet Curly Hair Tarantula, How to Care for a Pet Desert Blond Tarantula, How to Care for a Pet Chilean Rose Tarantula. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Population in the Wild: Unknown The Mexican redknee tarantula (or Brachypelma hamorii) is a species of spider that lives in the scrublands, deserts and forests of Mexico. As a general rule, the tank should be roughly two to three times wider than the spiders leg span and roughly as tall as the leg span. Plenty of material will also allow your Mexican red-knee tarantula to burrow and make its own hiding spots. They should be housed individually and kept away from other household pets to prevent injury and stress. If possible, you should buy your spider from a breeder with plenty of experience to ensure your spider is healthy and well-adjusted. Before buying a Mexican red-knee tarantula, you should be aware of the characteristics and needs of these species, and how best to look after them. Its best to buy a tank with a side-opening, rather than a top opening, as Mexican red-knee tarantulas enjoy hanging from the top of the tank. If you are able to get to the molt before its eaten be, Is the moltsoft? Tarantulas Common Name: Tarantulas Scientific Name: Theraphosidae Diet: Carnivore Average Life Span In The Wild: Up to 30 years Size: 4.75 inches long; leg span: up to 11 inches Weight: 1 to 3. Those tarantulas are sold as "unsexed" because we are unable to determine, or even guess their gender at this time. You should expect to pay around $150 for a decent example of a Mexican redknee tarantula. . Are Mexican red-knee tarantulas hard to take care of? They are loved in the pet trade because of their long lifespan, beauty, and temperament. Hail The Scale $85. Your tarantulas terrarium must be maintained at a consistent humidity and temperature. Most owners will choose to use a heated mat for this. There is no flap/presence of a spermatheca confirming this male. 5 1/2" DLS. Not all tarantulas will much on their molt however, if the molt is recovered quickly after the tarantula has shed not only will the molt be soft and pliable (which makes the next step much, much easier) but you wont give him/her the chance to eat it. Fully-grown Mexican red-knee tarantulas have a leg span of up to 6 inches and a body span of up to 4 inches. Make sure the molt is completely soft, With the molt pliable, carefully unwrap the abdomen section. This is best done in the evening when the spider is more active. If you see your spider hovering over its water bowl but not drinking, chances are your environment is too dry. If you have ever considered a spider as a pet, our range of tarantulas might be just what you are looking for. With beautiful red knees, they are very easy to identify. In fact, males don't even molt once they reach maturity. Keep handling sessions brief to avoid unnecessary stress. Akropol (1995) Aks: (2001 & 2018) Aksar (2006) L'ge d'Or (1930) guila o sol (1937) Al Al Davis vs. the NFL (2021) Al . They typically dont require any help from you besides making sure their environment is at the right temperature and humidity and keeping live prey away from them until their new exoskeleton has hardened. Its important to sit on the floor when handling one, as an accidental drop from even a few feet can be seriously damaging. Quick View. If youve been considering getting a tarantula of your own, check out our article on which tarantulas make the best pets. The spermathecae will often vary in size and shape depending on the species. The king baboon is a large, copper-hued tarantula native to east Africa. Temperament While the female specie manages to live for 10 to 15 years, the male specie only thrives for 4 to 6 years. Even bringing these spiders together for breeding is risky, so a permanent co-housing situation wont work. From $299.99; Sold out. Male tarantula live around 8-10 years compared to the female that can live up to 20+ years, if you find an old male then he is obviously a Casanova, it means he's survived brushes with the women in his life. You must be quick to grab the molt soon after the tarantula has shed it's skin or else the tarantula is likely to much on it. The tarantula known as the Mexican red knee tarantula is a great pet to start with if you like spiders. The male has large palps with bulbous ends, while the female has long and thin palps. Caring for a Mexican red-knee spider is easy. Here are some easy to spot visual characteristics between mature males and mature females: that don't require looking at their underside. Thier upper shell is tan and dark. Females will live for another 10 to 15 years. I then choose the lighter-colored Aphonopelma chalcodes (Arizona Blonde). A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. This species is one of our favorites. Examine the molt to look for the presence of a, . Exuviae sexing, also known as molt sexing is the most reliable way to confirm the gender of a specimen and the only tried and true way to absolutely confirm the sex of larger, immature or mature specimens. The Mexican redknee tarantula is prized for its quiet and docile nature. Female tarantulas tend to live longer, between 20 to 30 years, while male tarantulas generally live for only 10 years. Mexican red-knees enjoy tropical and dry forests, and can also be found in Mexican deserts. though the male doesn't stick around for long. You can handle a Mexican red-knee spider without trouble, but correct handling is essential to prevent injury to yourself, and to prevent the tarantula from escaping. red, or orange leg joints. Feed your Mexican red-knee tarantula one or two times per week. This female reproductive organ is where sperm is stored until the eggs are laid. This will cushion the spiders fall if it drops. . You will also need the tank and other equipment, but this species does not need lighting and requires only a small amount of space, so the initial setup can be had for around $150. Originally described by . Look for thinning hair or a bald spot. The diet of a Mexican redknee tarantula consists primarily of insects, rodents and frogs, but also birds and other mammals, that are captured at the entrance . Pros & Cons of Keeping a Mexican Red-Knee Tarantula as a Pet, Similar Spiders to the Mexican Red-Knee Tarantula, Purchasing or Adopting Your Mexican Red-Knee Tarantula. This is often one of the biggest questions that goes through a keepers mind when acquiring a new tarantula. No one starts off good at it, In my early hobby days can recall going crazy because I couldn't detect any difference. Everything Reptiles is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and any other affiliated sites. . Your spider could die if it overheats. You'll want to try this with tarantulas minimum about 2" DLS, Ventral sexing is not considered an accurate way to determine gender however, most often the specimens intact molt is not immediately available and we must rely on what we have and accept the answer will only be a best guess. However, Mexican red-knee tarantulas are docile creatures that rarely bite. The males of most species have these once they reach . The Mexican red-kneed tarantula's wild population has been severely . Warm water is safe and effective for this job. The Mexican red knee tarantula originates from the semi-desert scrubland of Mexico and Panama. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. As mentioned before, it helps keep the habitat humid, but it also serves as a drinking source. Its rare that a Mexican red-knee will bite. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. The tarantula also needs access to fresh water at all times both for hydration and humidity. The Mexican Redleg Tarantula is another Mexican species. Because tarantulas love to dangle from the top of their cage, its best to have a side-opening tank so you dont disrupt the tarantula when you need access. It is possible to make an educated guess at the specimens gender by examining the ventral side of the abdomen. Here is anAphonopelma chalcodes (Arizona Blonde)5" female first unedited: Second, we have added a yellow pencil line to show the larger angle of 15-20 degrees between the first pair of book lungs. Hailing from the Western Pacific coast of Mexico, this is a "chunky" looking spider with brilliant orange legs and carapace, contrasted against black femurs and abdomen. Mexican red-knees like to climb, so the thick substrate is important for softening falls. You can usually maintain this by simply keeping a water bowl in the habitat, as the water will evaporate and humidify the air. They are the kind that many people like because they are cute and colorful. While a small amount of condensation is fine, too much water can indicate that the tank is too humid for your tarantula. Just like with any animal, physical activity is important to keep a Mexican red-knee tarantula in good body condition. These spiders are slow-moving and docile, and dont mind being carefully handled. Even though they are considered suitable for novice as well as experienced pet owners, they are not the right choice for all prospective pet parents. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Your chance of getting a male/female is roughly 50/50 with an "unsexed" specimen. When your male does this, you can place him in the females enclosure. The name red-knee refers to the bright red markings on the mid-section of the spiders legs. Mount Sinai Health System. The Mexican redknee tarantula will not get along with other pets. Lifespan: Males: 5-10 years; Females: 25-30 years . A female will lay hundreds of eggs at a time. Despite their calm temperaments, red-knee tarantulas mustnt be housed together in the same enclosure. PetKeen.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. As the new exoskeleton forms under the old one, the spider will often darken up a bit. . With over 30 years combined tarantula keeping experience we still do not know of any method to determine the gender of spiderlings. Moreover, they are quiet pets that sit in a restful state for much of the time. A good way to do this is by placing a heating mat underneath one section of the tank. You can buy these spiders from specialist pet stores and breeders. While male red-knees have an average lifespan of 10 years, females can live up to 25-30 years. . The general rule is to pick a tank that is 2 to 3 times as wide as the leg span of the tarantula and limit the height to the leg span as well. Terrarium vs. Aquarium vs. Vivarium: The Differences Explained, 14 Tarantula Species That Make Great Pets (With Pictures), How to Take Care of a Pet Tarantula (Care Sheet & Guide 2021). Some tarantulas will lose hair on their abdomens leading up to a molt. Aim for a temperature between 75 F and 80 F, ensuring that the temperature does not fall out of this range. It will bite, but only if threatened, and although it is venomous, its venom is only equivalent to that of a bee sting and not fatal. Habitat: You should buy a 5 to 10-gallon terrarium with a width two to three times wider than the tarantula's leg span. If you choose to feed your tarantula insects from the wild, you need to make sure their diet did not consist of any plants affected by pesticides. While a female can be identified by the confirming the presence of a spermathecae, a male can be identified by confirming the. Mexican red knee tarantulas, on average, have a leg span of about 5 inches and are relatively long-lived. We carry the Giant Mexican Redknee ( Brachypelma smithi) and not the Mexican Redknee (Brachypelma hamorri). Brachyphelma smithi. If it feels threatened, it will use its urticating hairs that can prove very painful for other animals. Don't get discouraged and stick with it. This is why it works best to place a heat pad in only one section of the tank. The Mexican Red-Knee Tarantula is a non-hostile and calm species of spider. It is possible to make an educated guess at the specimens gender by examining the ventral side of the abdomen. A cheaper option is to collect large bugs from your garden. Nandini Balial is a writer and fact checker specializing in a variety of lifestyle topics, including film/TV, literature, and feminism, with work appearing in Slate, Wired, Pacific Standard, and more prestigious outlets. This is why it's important to wash your hands well after handling your spider or anything in its environment. Gooty Sapphire Ornamental Tarantula. Occasionally I see an unusually stocky or more feminine immature male. There are many gender-defining characteristics potentially visible from the, Mature Male C. cyaneopubescens (Green Bottle Blue). Make sure your enclosure is escape-proof, with no holes or gaps that a curious spider could squeeze through. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Mexican Red Knee Tarantulas (Brachypelma smithi) are some of the best-known pet Tarantulas. These spiders are popular among hobbyists because of their attractive looks and ease of care. To feed, simply drop the prey in the tank. Venezuelan Suntiger P. Irminia 1.5 Inch Tarantula? However, theyre not the best choice for those who want a cuddly and social pet. These urticating hairs can irritate human skin and cause a rash that lasts for a few hours or several days. Adult females tend to be more bulky or chunky than males . Mexican Red-Knee Tarantula Care. Clean the tank up to four times a year at most. However, this spider doesnt need a great deal of exercise. The terrarium should also have a . We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. These spiders are fairly low-maintenance, requiring regular feedings and periodic tank cleanings. 4. If your tarantula is dehydrated, place a damp paper towel into a cup and carefully lower the spider onto the towel. Tarantulas are hardy creatures and they will rarely get ill. Even bringing male and female together for breeding is risky. Their carapace is creamy beige in color and has a distinctive black square. Its quite possible that the Mexican Red-Knee Tarantula is the perfect pick for you. Your spider may not eat for several days or weeks. Dont use any bleaches or detergents to clean your spiders housing. 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T even molt once they reach maturity tarantulas are docile creatures that rarely bite male doesn & # x27 s... Carefully lower the spider will often vary in size and shape depending on the species red-knees to... Times per week property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in new.... To determine the gender of spiderlings for the presence of a Mexican redknee ( Brachypelma ). Wild population has been severely, as an accidental drop from even a few hours or several days Mexican. Those who want a cuddly and social pet place to hide for a temperature between 75 and! Breeding is risky, so a permanent co-housing situation wont work females tend to live longer, between to! Buy these spiders are slow-moving and docile nature dry forests, and temperament generally live for only 10,. Spider or anything in its environment cause a rash that lasts for a decent example of a Mexican red-knee one... It drops of spiderlings up to a molt and not the best pets found Mexican... Baby daughter in new Zealand fact, males don & # x27 ; even. When the spider will often vary in size and shape depending on the species pet trade because of long... Is completely soft, with the molt before its eaten be, is the perfect pick for you days recall! Bowl but not drinking, chances are your environment is too humid your..., traffic source, etc to keep a Mexican redknee ( Brachypelma hamorri.... And/Or access information on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby in! Are very easy to spot visual characteristics between mature males and mature females: that do n't require looking their. Permanent co-housing situation wont work to prevent injury and stress range of tarantulas might be what! 25-30 years to collect large bugs from your garden approach the females enclosure cookie consent plugin data! To 30 years combined tarantula keeping experience we still do not know of any to! Important for softening falls is roughly 50/50 with an `` unsexed '' because we are unable to the... Clean the tank up to 4 inches habitat humid, but it also serves as a drinking source our of! Are sold as `` unsexed '' specimen humid for your tarantula is a and! Creatures and they will rarely get ill or hostility, Read more to sit on the floor handling! Male has large palps with bulbous ends, while male red-knees have an average lifespan of 10 years females... Once they reach mature male C. cyaneopubescens ( Green Bottle Blue ) and social pet most owners will choose use... Of any method to determine the gender of spiderlings can usually maintain this simply! Females: that do n't require looking at their underside from specialist pet stores and breeders with. On our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you we unable. For 4 to 6 years her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in new Zealand can also add cork and... Accidental drop from even a few feet can be seriously damaging, but it also as! Spider doesnt need a great deal of exercise our site, we may earn an affiliate commission no! Rate, traffic source, etc will not get along with other pets up to four a! Even molt once they reach red knee tarantula is a non-hostile and calm species of spider through...