A Mexican Red-Knee-Tarantula needs gentle care. There are two species: Brachypelma hamorii and Brachypelma smithi. Both species have bright reddish-orange “knees” that stand out against their black bodies. Consequently, their vibrant coloration makes them easily recognizable.
Mexican red-knee-tarantulas typically measure 5.5 to 6.5 inches across the leg span as adults. Their bodies exhibit a brown-black base color, while the joints of their legs are adorned with red or orange hairs. Even though they have stinging hairs, they don’t use them often.
They are docile, and indeed hardy pets. Males may live for up to 10 years, while females can easily live for over 15 years if properly cared for. To care for them properly, read more to learn about Mexican red-knee-tarantula care.
Housing
When setting up a home for your tarantula, use a glass or plastic tank with a secure lid with air holes. Choose a tank two to three times wider than your spider’s leg span and roughly the same height. Opt for a tank with a side door since tarantulas often hang out at the top, sometimes even upside down. This design helps you clean the tank more safely and easily.
The best temperature for Mexican red knee tarantulas
To keep your Mexican red-knee tarantula healthy, keep its home at 70-80°F. If your room is cold, put a heat mat on one side and set it to 80-82°F. This way, your tarantula can move to the place it likes best. Check the temperature of its home often with a digital probe thermometer to ensure it stays in the right range.
Humidity
Keep the humidity in your tarantula home between 60% to 70%. A water bowl usually handles this by providing evaporation. In drier homes, mist the tank as needed. If you notice your spider staying close to the water bowl without drinking, the air might be too dry. On the other hand, if your spider is often hiding in a corner, the tank may be too wet. Check and alter the humidity levels by using a hygrometer.
Size Information
The Mexican red-knee tarantula can have legs about 5 inches wide and weigh about 0.5 ounces. As a rule, females are slightly larger than males.
Specific Substrate Needs
For the tank’s bottom, use a mix of peat moss, soil, and vermiculite. This should be at least 4 inches thick and loose so that your tarantula can dig and cushion its fall. Provide shelter with wood, cork bark, or half of a small clay pot. Add some fake plants to make the tank look natural.
What Do Mexican Red-Knee Tarantulas Eat & Drink?
- Roaches
- Locusts
- Other insects include wingless fruit flies and black soldier fly larvae, like mealworms.
You can feed your tarantula a pinky mouse or a small lizard occasionally for extra protein. Clean up any leftovers right away. Remove any uneaten live insects, as their movement can stress your spider. Mexican red-knee tarantulas usually eat once or twice a week. Ask your vet about the best amount and feeding schedule since it can vary with age and size.
Common Health Problems
Most pet tarantulas are tough and stay healthy if you keep their environment right. One major risk is accidental falls, so use a secure enclosure and handle them carefully. During molting, your tarantula may refuse food and lie on its back, which can look alarming but is normal. Avoid handling your spider during this time and don’t feed live prey for about a week after molting. This helps protect the delicate new exoskeleton.
Exercise
Physical activity is important for care of a Mexican red-knee tarantula. However, this spider doesn’t need a lot of exercise. A large tank will give it enough space to move around.
Grooming
Tarantulas clean themselves by molting. They usually don’t need your help with this. However, you must keep the right temperature and humidity in their environment. Also, keep live prey away until their new shell hardens.
Do Mexican red knee tarantulas need UVB?
Mexican red-knee tarantulas usually don’t need UVB lighting and can live without it. UVB light is blocked by glass and acrylic, making it hard to set up. However, some studies suggest UVB might help tarantulas by providing vitamin D3. If you choose to use UVB lighting, the Zoo Med Reptisun 5.0 13w bulb works well. Mount it horizontally in a reflective fixture and place it on a mesh lid with large holes. Replace the bulb every 6 months and keep the light on for 12 hours a day.
Conclusion
The Mexican red-knee tarantulas are friendly pets to keep if well cared for. Maintain the water temperature at 70-80°F, if your room temperature is low, then use a heat mat. Select a substrate of peat, topsoil, and vermiculite to maintain in the tank and keep the substrate a minimum of 4 inches in depth. Ensure that the hamsters have shelter by placing objects such as the cork bark or clay pots and placing some of the fake plants. You should occasionally smear your tarantula with either pinky mice or small lizards and ensure that any undigested food is not left to stress the tarantula.
Most tarantulas feed once or twice a week, so consult with your veterinarian for a particular schedule. Like most arachnids, tarantulas do not feed and can even lie on their back during the molting process. This is normal, however, do not touch them and do not feed live bait for one week after shedding their skin. While UVB lighting is not necessary, there is some evidence that it may be helpful to the tarantulas.