The Mexican Red Knee Tarantula is one of the most popular species of tarantula kept in captivity today. They are native to the Western regions of Mexico and can grow to around 6 inches in length.
It is a species of ‘New World’ Tarantula. Other new world species include the Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula, the Antilles Pink Toe Tarantula and the Salmon Pink Birdeater.
Mexican Red Knee Tarantula Taxonomy
The Mexican Red Knee Tarantula belongs to the Family Theraphosidae. This essentially means that the spider is a tarantula and over 1,000 different spiders have been identified as part of the family Theraphosidae.
Theraphosidae belongs to the infraorder Mygalomorphae. While many of the other species in this infraorder are often referred to as tarantulas or ‘false tarantulas’, the species in the family Theraphosidae are considered the ‘true’ tarantulas.
Tarantulas can be found throughout the American Continent (excluding Canada), Africa, parts of Mediterranean Europe, South-East Asia and Australia.
The Mexican Red Knee Tarantula belongs to the genus Brachypelma which is a genus of tarantula endemic to Mexico. Brachypelma is derived from two Greek words ‘brachys’ and ‘pelma’ which translates to ‘short’ and ‘sole of the foot’.
The scientific name for this species is Brachypelma hamorii. There was a lot of confusion about this species among scientist and it was often mistaken to be Brachypelma smithi. It wasn’t until 2017 when DNA Barcoding was carried out that the two species could be conclusively regarded as separate species.
Mexican Red Knee Tarantula Description
The Mexican Red Knee Tarantula is a relatively large species of tarantula that can reach a leg span of over 6 inches. Their bodies are typically black in color with lighter brown-colored hairs.
They have orange bands on the joints of their legs. This is what gives the species their common name. Like many species of tarantulas, females typically grow larger than males.
Natural Habitat and Distribution
The Mexican Red Knee Tarantula likes to live in the dry arid regions of Western Mexico. They can typically be found in the savannahs and shrublands of Jalisco, Colima and Guerrero. The Mexican Black Kingsnake is also found in Western Mexico but their ranges don’t overlap as the Mexican Red Knee Tarantula is found further south.
They are commonly found in dry rocky terrain but can also be found in deserts and dry thorn forests where they live in burrows. They typically build a ‘web carpet’ that extends out from the opening of their burrow.
Mexican Red Knee Tarantula as Pets
The Mexican Red Knee Tarantula is one of the most popular tarantula species in the hobby for a number of reasons. First of all, they are a very attractive looking species with their contrasting colors of blacks and oranges.
These spiders are also easy to care for and have a very docile temperament. They are more likely to run and hide if they feel threatened than give a threat pose or attempt to bite.
However, they do sometimes have a tendency to kick their urticating hairs. These hairs will cause a bit of itching and sometimes a bit of swelling if you are sensitive to them. However, their venom isn’t believed to be medically significant.
Mexican Red Knee Tarantula Feeding
Spiderlings can be fed appropriately sized crickets or roaches twice a week. You should aim for insects that are no bigger than two thirds the size of a spider. If you don’t have anything that small, you will need to pre-kill the insects.
You can feed juveniles 1-2 small or medium sized crickets a week depending on their size. If your spider’s abdomen looks small, they can be fed more often. When their abdomen looks bloated, feed less frequently.
A large Mexican Red Knee Tarantula can be fed around 6 Crickets every other week. Again, the amount you will need to feed will depend on the size of their abdomen. Any uneaten or leftover food will need to be removed within 24 hours.
Mexican Red Knee Tarantula Housing
A spiderling Brachypelma hamorii can be housed in a small escape proof enclosure that is filled half way with slightly damp substrate to allow them to burrow. You should also offer them something to hide behind, as well as a very shallow water dish.
An adult Mexican Red Knee Tarantula can comfortably be housed in a 10-gallon long enclosure with a secure lid. You can offer them a larger enclosure if you like but this isn’t really necessary given their activity level.
You should fill the substrate at least half way, ensuring they have at least 6-8 inches of substrate. This will allow them to burrow. Don’t provide these spiders with excessive height as they are not an arboreal species. A fall from any kind of height can be fatal for one of these spiders.
You can offer them a hide on the surface along with some plastic plants but they will spend most of their time in their burrow. You should also provide a water bowl to help with humidity levels but you don’t need to mist their enclosure.
Brachypelma hamorii Temperature
You can keep your Mexican Red Knee Tarantula at room temperature. If the temperature is comfortable for you, it will be comfortable for them. This adds to their ease of care as you don’t need any special heating equipment.
However, if you live in a cold climate, you may want to add some supplemental heat, such as a heat pad during the winter months. You typically want to keep them between a temperature range of 70F-80F.
Brachypelma hamorii Substrate
You should fill the substrate at least half way, ensuring they have at least 6-8 inches of substrate. This will allow them to burrow. Don’t provide these spiders with excessive height as they are not an arboreal species. A fall from any kind of height can be fatal for one of these spiders.
Theses spiders will do well on a variety of different substrates. Coco Fibre or Potting Soil seem to be some of the more common substrates used. You can also use a top layer of a gravel type substrate as these spiders often live-in rocky terrain. However, make sure this doesn’t impede their ability to dig.
Mexican Red Knee Tarantula Handling
Whether or not you choose to handle your Mexican Red Knee Tarantula or not is often debated amongst hobbyists. If you choose to handle your spider, you must know that there are risks to both yourself and the spider. Once you are aware of this, you can put measures in place to minimise the risk.
The main risk for the spider is falling. A fall from any kind of height can be fatal to a tarantula. Therefore, if you are handling them, you need to be very careful not to drop them. You should also handle them close to a surface so they won’t have far to fall if an accident does occur.
The main risks for you are bites and hair flicking. A bite from this species isn’t believed to be medically significant but can still be quite painful and swelling may occur. You may also be allergic to the venom.
If the spider kicks its hairs onto your skin, it can be quite itchy. Some people are also sensitive to this which can lead to swelling.