They are tolerant of being handled. Look at lots of tarantula undersides. Remove unwanted food from the tank when you see it, and discard all substrate if you notice any fungal growth. After caring for animals in her veterinarian practice, Lianne went on to study biology and research water quality and chronic disease at theUniversity of Saskatchewan. Spider venom does not pose a particular threat to human life. This article is using photos of an adult and sub-adult lighter-colored species, the absolute best I could find for this job from my vast collection. These spiders are slow-moving and docile, and dont mind being carefully handled. Mexican Red-Knee Tarantulas typically cost between $70 to $100 at pet stores, but this price can vary based on gender and size. These spiders may also release a venom that is slightly irritating to human skin. While molting, they will generally not want to eat. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Johnathan leads the Everything Reptiles editorial team as our Editor in Chief. We appreciate if those refer to this and other resources online for general sexing, and to try to get eyes on your own spider(s) to gain the experience to get better at sexing. If youve been considering getting a tarantula of your own, check out our article on which tarantulas make the best pets. 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. Keep your tarantula in a glass or plastic aquarium with a secure top that has ventilation. This tarantula is primarily black in colour, but benefits from bright orange and yellow hairs on the "knees", as well as on the abdomen. For arboreal species you need a taller tank and fill it 1/3 of the way up with substrate (at least 4 inches) then you add in the fake plants and hiding places and place the water bowl in a dugout where it will not be easily spilled. Its venom initially incapacitates its prey before turning them into an easily digestible liquid. Quick View. This belongs to the new world tarantula is known for its docile nature and hardiness. They have a black abdomen that is covered in brown hairs. What Do Mexican Red-Knee Tarantulas Eat & Drink? The other, and not so reliable method is by looking at the tarantula itself, either ventrally (underside) or dorsally (topside) which we'll cover later in this article. However, if you opt for deeper substrate, you will need to make sure that no decor falls into a burrow made by your red-knee tarantula. Aside from using the spermathecae to determine gender this reproductive organ is often used to identify and distinguish certain species. Female tarantulas tend to live longer, between 20 to 30 years, while male tarantulas generally live for only 10 years. They often make good pets for first-time spider owners. You can usually maintain this by simply keeping a water bowl in the habitat, as the water will evaporate and humidify the air. To successfully breed Mexican red-knee tarantulas, there are a few pointers you should remember: About 8 weeks after you see the female at the entrance to her burrow, the spiderlings will hatch. Be aware that females of most species go though a leggy adolescent phase and can be sometimes be mistaken for males during their "awkward teenage" years. 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). You can set your light on a timer rather than remembering to switch it on and off yourself. Both species of Mexican red-knee have dark bodies and bright red knees, hence their names. Feel free to read our article on our recommendations for tarantula enclosures here. When your male does this, you can place him in the females enclosure. The substrate, or bedding in the tank, should be a mix of peat moss, soil, and vermiculite. The Mexican redknee tarantula is prized for its quiet and docile nature. Although males have slightly shorter bodies, they have longer legs. A fully grown spider will have a leg span between five and six inches. 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. If the spider is fortunate enough to find a large meal, it does not need to eat again for several weeks, sometimes as long as a month. In some cases, the males get eaten up by the female. The Mexican redknee tarantula has a hairy, black body. This is particularly evident on the abdomen where new hairs can be seen through the stretched skin here. A sample of seven females had a total body length (excluding chelicerae and spinnerets) in the range 52-59 mm (2.0-2.3 in). 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. As the new exoskeleton forms under the old one, the spider will often darken up a bit. and ability to produce eggsacs. However, allergies can cause more serious reactions in certain people. 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. Mexican red-knee tarantula bites are venomous. If youre thinking of purchasing a Mexican Red-Knee Tarantula, there are several items youll want to have at your disposal to ensure proper care of your new pet. With that said, it does have certain requirements that must be met. The primary benefit of going to a breeder is youll likely have a wider selection of younger animals to choose from. While the female specie manages to live for 10 to 15 years, the male specie only thrives for 4 to 6 years. As such, there are quite a lot of them available on the market. Feeding your tarantula is a pretty low maintenance task. Thread starter . Mexican red-knees like to climb, so the thick substrate is important for softening falls. Theyve got great personalities and are relatively low-maintenance to maintain. Giant White Knee Tarantula. We do not specifically market to children under 13. Occasional substrate changes can cost between $10 and $20 on average. It is one of the calmest tarantulas available. Plan to spend a few hours per week on feedings and keeping the enclosure clean. The tank doesnt have to be very tall. Mexican red-knee tarantulas are interesting, quiet, and low-maintenance pets. Brazilian black tarantulas dont show aggression or hostility, Read More . 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. Too much moisture also promotes fungal growth, so ensuring the right conditions are maintained is essential to your Mexican red-knee tarantulas health. You can check local forums online to ensure youre getting the best price. . 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. However, greenbottle blues are skittish and shouldnt be handled. The orange-red patches on the joints of its legs give the species its name. Females will live for another 10 to 15 years. However, these foods can leave a mess in the tank, so you should clean away the remains immediately after feeding. As with many tratits and characteristics with this breed of spider, the female and male Mexican Red Knee Tarantulas mature at different ages. They do, however, eject hairs if they feel threatened. 5 1/2" DLS. Although your tarantula does not need additional lighting, the species is unusual because it will not only tolerate it but may actually enjoy basking. 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. However, Mexican red-knee tarantulas are docile creatures that rarely bite. Just like with any animal, physical activity is important to keep a Mexican red-knee tarantula in good body condition. A cheaper option is to collect large bugs from your garden. The Mexican redknee tarantula is a popular arachnid pet because it is docile and quiet, is not prone to running quickly, and doesn't take too much care or room. Consult your vet on how much and how often to feed, as this can vary based on factors such as age and size. Hail The Scale . Does the Mexican red-knee tarantula make a good pet for kids? The Mexican Redleg Tarantula is another Mexican species. Tarantula Spider Bite Information. Its illegal to catch and sell wild Mexican red-knees, so if you have any reason to be suspicious, its best to buy from a different seller. Its important to replicate this habitat when you choose to domesticate one. You can measure the tank humidity with a hygrometer. and ability to produce eggsacs. Remember that any tarantula is a long-term commitment, and your Mexican red-knee may live for several decades. Make sure the substrate isnt packed too tightly, as you want to ensure your pet can burrow. If you are able to get to the molt before its eaten be extremely careful not to disturb the soft and very vulnerable tarantula! Not all veterinarians treat tarantulas. 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. A good option is to lay cork bark on top of your substrate or plant rocks beneath the substrate. Althoughthe looking methods are not considered to be completely accurate the topic still be covered in depth as to help others to make educated guesses as to the gender of their specimen, at least until an intact molt/exuviae can be recovered. 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. Live crickets will be a staple in your Mexican red-knee tarantula's diet. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. Over the years, tarantulas have become increasingly popular as pets. One of his tibial hooks is just barely visible (as a cream colored lump) on the right side near where they're "holding hands". Brachypelma hamorii and Brachypelmasmithi both have vibrant reddish-orange "knees"i.e., the middle portion of their legsthat contrast with their black bodies. A post shared by Kate Krysinski (@preyfortheweak). Be advised the looking methodsare not very reliable, can not be used on spiderlings and small juveniles as the smaller specimens look more or less the same (at least to me)The exception to this rule ismature malesas once a male has reached his mature (also known as "final" or "ultimate" molt) he can be easily identified and his gender 100% confirmed by the presence of his male reproductive organs. Females have two sperm storage . These spiders have hairs on their bodies. Green Bottle Blue Tarantula. What Do Mexican Red-Knee Tarantulas Cost? To measure this accurately, buy a hygrometer ( a device that can measure moisture). Your chance of getting a male/female is roughly 50/50 with an "unsexed" specimen. They can also become dehydrated, evident by a shrunken abdomen and listless behavior. Mexican Red-Knee Tarantula Everything You Need to Know, Best Filter for Betta Fish 2023 Top Picks Reviews. You will get better with time and experience! Brachypelma smithi is a large spider. 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