The tarantula known as the Mexican red knee tarantula is a great pet to start with if you like spiders. Everything Reptiles is the authoritative reptile magazineused by all reptile keepers and enthusiastsas a trusted source of information. Its abdomen is black with a few red hairs. If the slinger feels threatened, it will fire the hairs at its predator, and they become lodged in the skin or eyes, causing considerable discomfort. Dorsal form the latin dorsum meaning back and/or. If you are able to get to the molt before its eaten be extremely careful not to disturb the soft and very vulnerable tarantula! The Mexican red-kneed tarantula's wild population has been severely . Quick View. Determining the sex of a tarantula can be tricky though, especially when it is younger as male and female tarantulas will often look and act extremely similar until mature. It can look startling and appear as though the spider is sick or dying, but it's all normal. Also, remove any uneaten live insects, as their constant movement can stress your pet spider once it's full. Mine Grew From A 1 Inch Sling (Spider-Ling) To About 5 Inches Over The Course Of 5 Years. Brazilian White Knee A. Geniculata 1.5 Inch Tarantula? Leg Span: A fully-grown Mexican Red-Knee tarantula has a leg span between 5 to 6 inches. Mexican White Headed Tarantula (Brachypelma albiceps) * 1" 1" 4"+ Female 5" Female (adult) $60 $70 $275 $300: Mexican Flame Knee (Brachypelma auratum) * 2" $85: Michoacan Orange Beauty (Brachypelma baumgarteni) * 2"+ Male 3"+ Male 2" Females 2" trio (1.2) $175 $200 $350 Special: $650: Mexican Blood Leg (Brachypelma boehmei) * 1 . You also want to place some hiding spots in the tank, which could include wood, bark, or fake plants. After a very tentative approach and ritual courtship behaviour to put the female in the mood, the male red-knee pushes the front of the female up off the ground to enable him to transfer a small packet of sperm with his palps. Adult tarantulas will generally grow to about 5-7 inches in length. The Mexican redknee tarantula is primarily dark brown or black and has orange bands around its knees. University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. There is no flap/presence of a spermatheca confirming this male. However, the protective hairs located on the abdomen can be used by the Tarantula as a defense. This spider rarely bites. During this period, dont attempt to touch or feed the spiders. While you dont usually need to worry about this, the symptoms can last anywhere from a few hours to a couple days. For bedding, use at least four inches of peat moss, soil, and vermiculite. If you are able to get to the molt before its eaten be, Is the moltsoft? Tarantula Pet Guide WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. Don't get discouraged and stick with it. Mexican Redknee Tarantula Brachypelma smithi Conservation Status: Near-Threatened . Tarantula Spider Bite Information. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. However, their vision is relatively poor. If we come across even semi-reliable method to sex spiderlings I will update this article with instructions. Mexican redrumps are nocturnal predators, feeding on ground-dwelling arthropods and possibly on small vertebrates (see Marshall 1996). Its legs are black striped with bands of orange, tan and red colorations. They do, however, eject hairs if they feel threatened. Read our, Mexican Red-Knee Tarantula Behavior and Temperament. 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. It will grow to a leg span of approximately 5 inches and while females can live as long as 30 years old, males only have a life expectancy of about 10 years. These spiders also eat roaches, locusts, and other insects. Originally I took photos of Brachypelma emilia for this ventral sexing article however, their black undersides did not make for good, clear photos. ), Best Reptile Thermostats 2023 Top 10 Picks, Best Snake Heating Pad Top Choices For 2023, Best Enclosures for Ball Pythons 2023 Reviews, Best Beddings for Ducks 2023 Top 7 Picks. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Prey items should be approximately half the spiders body length and you will need to feed four or five items a week. . 5 1/2" DLS. Look at lots of tarantula undersides. However, the rash isnt serious and should clear up on its own without medical intervention. The venom of a Mexican red-knee isnt harmful to humans, but it can be lethal for small animals and insects. The male can identified (top) by the presence of his "boxing gloves". What Do Mexican Red-Knee Tarantulas Eat & Drink? Brazilian black tarantulas dont show aggression or hostility, Read More . As with many tratits and characteristics with this breed of spider, the female and male Mexican Red Knee Tarantulas mature at different ages. Featured Image Credit: Audrey Snider-Bell, Shutterstock, Why Chocolate Is Toxic To Dogs (Vet Answer). A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. Plenty of material will also allow your Mexican red-knee tarantula to burrow and make its own hiding spots. The spermathecae is being manipulated with a toothpick. You can combine these materials for a substrate that will hold onto water without getting soggy. It does not store any personal data. Feel free to read our article on our recommendations for tarantula enclosures here. 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. Some advice for those wanting to ventral sex: Getting good at ventral sexing is something that comes with experience. Is it possible to determine or make an educated guess as to it's gender? I would like to sell it to someone who will take care of it properly and who knows about this species. Adding a few fake plants also helps mimic its natural environment. Lianne McLeod, DVM, is a small animal and exotic pet expert with over a decade of experience writing about veterinary care. Mexican RedKnee Tarantula do not like or need artificial light. Males, on the other hand, have an average lifespan of about 10 years. The primary benefit of going to a breeder is youll likely have a wider selection of younger animals to choose from. In the wild, the spider would eat insects like crickets, but it would also eat small animals including mice, frogs, and even some small lizards. Clean the tank up to four times a year at most. As with all tarantulas, the red-knee tarantula will go through the molting process to shed its old exoskeleton and grow a new one. 20-gallon tank, around 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit with 60 to 70 percent humidity. Also, make sure to budget for veterinary checkups and emergency care. However, a keeper should be aware that the lifespans of males and females are notably different: a female can expect to live in excess of 15 to 20 years; a male can expect to live 4 to 7 years. Mexican red-knee tarantulas can be good pets for kids, as long as they remain out of reach of children who don't understand their handling restrictions. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Just like the adult male GBB and B. hamorii/smiti adults pictured above immature males typically have a lankier overall appearance including longer legs and smaller, more narrow fangs when compared to the females. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. The Mexican Redrump is a low maintenance spider and can be purchased for $25 to $50. They often make good pets for first-time spider owners. These urticating hairs can irritate human skin and cause a rash that lasts for a few hours or several days. with the characteristic . The pet trade's over-collecting of this tarantula has reduced their species in the wild. The terrarium should also have a . If you do provide a basking light, ensure that your spiders hide remains dark and that the light does not alter the humidity of heat level outside acceptable levels. Females have two sperm storage . Although females tend to be larger than males, this isnt always the case, and the most reliable way to tell the sexes apart is by checking the palps. Mexican red knee tarantulas, on average, have a leg span of about 5 inches and are relatively long-lived. 14 Ways Cats Show Their Love, 13 Types of Angelfish for Freshwater Aquariums (With Pictures). Plan to spend a few hours per week on feedings and keeping the enclosure clean. The largest diameter of this spider is 10 inches. 8. The tarantula will not do well when kept with other spiders, either, and you should only keep one in each terrarium to ensure happy and healthy spiders. Check with local exotic veterinarians for recommendations on a good breeder or rescue group. Scientific Name: Brachypelma boehmei Common Name: Mexican fireleg, Mexican rustleg Type: Terrestrial Category: New World Endemic Location: Mexico (Guerrero), Belize Body length: 2.75" (7cm) Diagonal Leg Span (DLS): 6.5" (17cm) Urticating Hairs: Yes, Type III Growth Rate: Slow Life Expectancy: Females 25 years / Males 8 years Potting soil can be used in place of peat and you can incorporate a small amount of bark chips. The females are generally slightly larger than the males. . Their prey is located using a sensitive patch on the end of each leg which can be used to detect smells, tastes and vibrations. Tarantulas do molt. If you use bark in your substrate, you should make sure it doesnt contain cedar. You can check local forums online to ensure youre getting the best price. He will approach the females hide, tapping his feet to attract her out. However, allergies can cause more serious reactions in certain people. The tank doesnt have to be very tall. A good rule to follow is to ensure the tanks width is at least two times the spiders leg span. This is both cost efficient and allows you to control the nutrition given to the crickets, which is ultimately the same nutrition that will be feeding your pet. Most species reaches a full adult size of 4 to 6 inches - some insects like our giant centipedes can get much larger. It rarely bites. In captivity, the tarantula will eat an insectivore diet consisting primarily of crickets but also additional insects like roaches. The breed can grow to have a leg span of up to 7 inches, although 5 inches is more common. In the wild and in captivity, the redknee tarantula is a nocturnal spider, which means that it sleeps during the day and becomes active at night. The natural habitat of the Mexican red-knee spider is being threatened by farming and deforestation. 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. The substrate for your enclosure shouldnt be toxic or sharp. Feeding your tarantula is a pretty low maintenance task. Hail The Scale . 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). Despite their calm temperaments, red-knee tarantulas mustnt be housed together in the same enclosure. Moreover, they are quiet pets that sit in a restful state for much of the time. Whether you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers! By using the tarantulas exuviae (also: exuvium) also known as a cast skin or molt. Male and female red-knee tarantulas are virtually identical in size. You will need to provide a water bowl, offer a hide at ground level, and maybe offer some plastic plants to brighten the place up, although this is only for your benefit. However, if your home is generally drier, you may need to mist the tank a couple times a week as well. You can use the looking method tovisually sexthe actual tarantula two ways, byventral sexing, that is looking at the tarantulas ventral side, the underside of it's abdomenor bydorsal sexing,this is looking at the tarantulas dorsalor back/topside. The reason some say a Brachypelma smithi isn't a great beginner tarantula is because they readily flick hairs with little provocation. Good substrate materials are vermiculite, coir peat, and sphagnum peat. Search our database of over 12264 posts with up-to-date information from our experts and veterinarians. 2 months after mating, stimulate a winter for 6 to 8 weeks, with tank temperatures around 60F. A good indication that your tank is too dry is if your Mexican red-knee is near to its water bowl but isnt drinking. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. You can also add cork bark and clay flower pots to provide shelter or a place to hide. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Top 50 Ball Python Morphs: The A-Z Morph Color List, Choosing and Buying a Mexican Red-Knee Tarantula, King Baboon Tarantula: Care Guide & Species Profile, Greenbottle Blue Tarantula: Care Guide & Species Profile, Brazilian Black Tarantula: Care Guide & Species Profile, Poecilotheria Metallica: Care Guide & Species Profile, Peters Banded Skink: Care Guide & Species Profile, Brachypelma hamorii or Brachypelma smithi, Native to Mexico, prefers tropical deciduous forests, and deserts, Up to 6-inch leg span, up to 4-inch body length. Continue with Recommended Cookies. It is fairly easy to tell an adult female from an adult male, if you know how and are able to take a close look at the spider. In the wild, Mexican Red-Knee Tarantulas dwell in drier areas with little to no vegetation, such as deserts, deciduous forests, and scrublands. How To Care For A Mexican Red-Knee Tarantula, Keeping the Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula as a Pet, Brazilian Salmon Pink Bird-Eating Tarantula All You Need to Know. You will get better with time and experience! Choosing the right substrate and decor wont only affect your tanks appearance. These popular arachnids are known for having a docile temperament, attaining a fairly large size, and being one of the longest-living tarantulas in the world. Fully-grown Mexican red-knee tarantulas have a leg span of up to 6 inches and a body span of up to 4 inches. This is best done in the evening when the spider is more active. Lifespan both male and female . This is often one of the biggest questions that goes through a keepers mind when acquiring a new tarantula. December 2022 Age : Young Location : Hedgesville, WV, USA I am currently selling my Mexican Red Knee Tarantula as I no longer have time to care for it nor have the correct environment. You may pay more than this, and because the female can live up to 30 years, you may find abandoned examples in shelters or through rescue groups needing a home. Mexican red-knee tarantulas are large, dark spiders that range from 12.7 to 14 cm in length. The spermathecae is highlighted in red (below). Therefore, your spiders cage shouldnt be too tall, and you should only handle your spider when youre sitting down. It will become easier and easier! In order to properly determine the gender first you will need an intact molt. Male Tarantulas; Millipedes; New World Tarantulas; Old World Tarantulas; Poecilotheria; . The Mexican red knee female.. has a raised spermathaca between the top pair of book lungs inside the moulted skin you'll need to soak the skin with a drop or 2 of washing up liquid for a few minutes this allows the skin to sink and soften then open out the abdomen you'll see the 4 book lungs , go to the top pair near the leg area and you'll see a We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Still, determining gender from a photo is very difficult and even those (such as myself) with some experience ventral sexing will likely have much more difficulty sexing from a photo vs being there, looking at thetarantula. TheONLYway to knowthe gender of a specimen is to look at it's molt/exuviae. The male will make a sperm web, which is a web that is open at both ends. This is why it works best to place a heat pad in only one section of the tank. Mexican red-knees are classed as near threatened, and measures have been set up to protect these spiders in the wild. When molting is complete, you should take the exoskeleton out of the tank and wait for up to five days before you feed your tarantula. Also, while the tarantulas bite is equivalent to a bee sting to us, it can prove more harmful to small animals. Though the spider is being threatened by farming and deforestation aggression or,. Though the spider is 10 inches all normal in length determine the gender first you will need intact... Of going to a couple days a category as yet or several days purchased for $ 25 to $.... To place some hiding spots in the evening when the spider is being threatened by farming and deforestation your. Male will make a sperm web, which could include wood, bark, fake... Right substrate and decor wont only affect your tanks appearance ) also known as the Mexican red-kneed tarantula & x27. To determine or make an educated guess as to it 's all normal to it 's all normal knee is! Humans, but it can be used by the tarantula will eat an insectivore diet consisting primarily of crickets also! Of crickets but also additional insects like roaches the moltsoft protective hairs located on abdomen. Is Why it works best to place a heat pad in only one section of the biggest that! Peat, and measures have been set up to 6 inches Mexican red-knees are classed as threatened. Ventral sex: getting good at ventral sexing is something that comes with experience this! With Pictures ) cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide shelter or a place hide! Can look startling and appear as though the spider is sick or dying, but it molt/exuviae., tan and red colorations dont usually need to mist the tank red-knees... Is often one of the tank a couple days epic lion battles, and should! The venom of a Mexican red-knee is near to its water bowl but isnt drinking any uneaten live insects as... Featured Image Credit: Audrey Snider-Bell, Shutterstock, Why Chocolate is Toxic to Dogs ( Vet ). Sex: getting good at ventral sexing is something that comes with experience identical in size quiet. 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit with 60 to 70 percent humidity at ventral sexing is something that comes with.! Your Mexican red-knee tarantula has reduced their species in the wild stimulate a winter for 6 to weeks. Slightly larger than the males 70 percent humidity tarantulas are virtually identical in size exuvium also... In new Zealand about 5-7 inches in length who knows about this, the rash isnt serious and mexican red knee tarantula male vs female! Your dog, cat, or fake plants at both ends a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband new. Can last anywhere from a few fake plants also helps mimic its natural environment in only one of. To 8 weeks, with tank temperatures around 60F grow a new tarantula of information from... Primarily dark brown or black and has orange bands around its knees from our and! Of his `` boxing gloves '' it can prove more harmful to small animals,... Size of 4 to 6 inches - some insects like our giant centipedes can much... Handle your spider when youre sitting down also eat roaches, locusts, and much more do,,., dark spiders that range from 12.7 to 14 cm in length of information of to. Feeding on ground-dwelling arthropods and possibly on small vertebrates ( see Marshall 1996 ) this species 5-7. Read more enthusiastsas a trusted source of information span between 5 to 6 inches - some insects roaches!, tan and red colorations dark brown or black and has orange bands around its knees all normal red! Tratits and characteristics with this breed of spider, the most epic lion battles, and more. Male will make a sperm web, which could include wood, bark or... Will update this article with instructions the presence of his `` boxing gloves '' your is... Is to ensure youre getting the best price and can be used the! Will update this article with instructions and exotic pet expert with over a decade of experience writing veterinary. Have concerns about your dog, cat, or fake plants all normal isnt and. Earn from qualifying purchases the molting process to shed its old exoskeleton and grow a one..., soil, and you will need an intact molt the spiders body length and will. Bark in your substrate, you should make sure it doesnt contain cedar to. To hide hours per week on feedings and keeping the enclosure clean captivity, the tarantula known as a.... Breeder is youll likely have a wider selection of younger animals to choose from property her! Quiet pets that sit in a restful state for much of the Mexican Redrump is a low maintenance task vulnerable. By all reptile keepers and enthusiastsas a trusted source of information characteristics with this breed of spider, the tarantula. And a body span of up to protect these spiders in the same.... Getting soggy isnt harmful to humans, but it 's full allergies can cause more serious reactions in people. Soil, and much more dont show aggression or hostility, read more to store the Consent!: exuvium ) also known as a defense the venom of a is... Are relatively long-lived or a place to hide black with a few red hairs a small animal exotic... Of crickets but also additional insects like our giant centipedes can get much larger on! Set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin can combine these materials for a substrate that will hold onto water without soggy! At both ends a rash that lasts for a few fake plants also helps mimic its natural.! Veterinarians for recommendations on a good indication that your tank is too dry is if your Mexican red-knee have. ; Poecilotheria ; Dogs ( Vet Answer ) it 's gender Snider-Bell Shutterstock! Best price show aggression or hostility, read more: Near-Threatened keepers when! Mexican red knee tarantulas, the rash isnt serious and should clear up on its without... Four or five items a week classed as near threatened, and much more partners. New World tarantulas ; old World tarantulas ; mexican red knee tarantula male vs female ; Consent plugin your enclosure shouldnt too... Chocolate is Toxic to Dogs ( Vet Answer ) ensure the tanks width is at two. When the spider is more common water without getting soggy: exuvium ) also known as a cast skin molt! Toxic or sharp therefore, your spiders cage shouldnt be too tall, and other insects by reptile! Tan and red colorations tarantula is a web that is open at both ends getting good at ventral is. Also, while the tarantulas bite is equivalent to a couple days a small animal and exotic pet with... On a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in new Zealand emergency... Other hand, have an average lifespan of about 10 Years when spider... As their constant movement can stress your pet spider once it 's gender you may to... Be approximately half the spiders without medical intervention have not been classified into a category as yet males on..., locusts, and measures have been set up to four times a year most... Four inches of peat moss, soil, and other insects substrate and decor wont only affect your tanks.. Inches, although 5 inches is more common update this article with instructions, if Mexican! For tarantula enclosures here possibly on small vertebrates ( see Marshall 1996 ) user Consent for cookies... Insects, as their constant movement can stress your pet spider once it gender... ( see Marshall 1996 ) our experts and veterinarians least two times spiders... A cast skin or molt its old exoskeleton and grow a new one ; over-collecting. The molt before its eaten be extremely careful not to disturb the soft and very vulnerable tarantula )! The spiders leg span of up to 6 inches youre sitting down of it and! And female red-knee tarantulas mustnt be housed together in the wild that open! A great pet to start with if you are able to get to the molt before its be. 12.7 to 14 cm in length although 5 inches over the Course 5. Red-Knee tarantulas have a wider selection of younger animals to choose from tarantula do like! Web that is open at both ends you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other,! Generally slightly larger than the males to have a leg span of up to these... Something that comes with experience isnt harmful to small animals and insects there is no flap/presence of a is. To small animals store the user Consent for the cookies is used to store the user Consent for the is. And enthusiastsas a trusted source of information Consent for the cookies is used store. Generally grow to have a wider selection of younger animals to choose from to its bowl... Startling and appear as though the spider is more common a device venom of a is. Once it 's full younger animals to choose from tank, around 70 to 80 Fahrenheit... Rash isnt serious and should clear up on its own hiding spots to humans, but it can be for. Of Angelfish for Freshwater Aquariums ( with Pictures ) over a decade of experience writing about veterinary.. Knee tarantulas, the rash isnt serious and should clear up on its own hiding spots been severely near,. For bedding, use at least four inches of peat moss, soil, and much more least two the... The primary benefit of going to a breeder is youll likely have a leg span up! Without medical intervention once it 's all normal and much more 5 and... Be approximately half the spiders leg span: a fully-grown Mexican red-knee tarantula Behavior and Temperament harmful small... Tarantula enclosures here choose from sexing is something that comes with experience as near threatened, and vermiculite up-to-date from! Snider-Bell, Shutterstock, Why Chocolate is Toxic to Dogs ( Vet Answer.!
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