The Brachypelma smithi (or Mexican Red Knee Tarantula) originates around the desert scrubland areas of Mexico, and without a doubt is one of the most popular species kept as pets.
The black abdomen, and black and orange/tan/red stripped legs make this a very distinctive breed.
It’s docile nature and longevity (living longer than your typical dog or cat, and most other tarantulas), combined with the distinctive and beautiful coloring have made this spider extremely popular as a pet.
So popular is this species that, even though it’s highly recommended for beginners, you will find even the most experienced tarantula enthusiast keeping them as well.
Like most pet tarantulas, this species doesn’t require much space to live in, and requires very little care to maintain.
Brachypelma smithi – Mexican Red Knee Tarantula Care Sheet
Scientific Name: Brachypelma smithi
Also Known As: Mexican Orange Knee Tarantula, Mexican Red Kneed Tarantula, and Mexican Orange Kneed Tarantula, Mexican Red knee, Mexican Redknee.
Range: Pacific side of Mexico, and Panama. Can be found in scrubland and deserts.
Size: Full Grown Size 5 to 5.5 inches.
Life span: Females: typically 15-25 years, some as long as 30 years. Males live much shorter lives.
Housing: A small (5-10 gallon) tank is suitable for Mexican redknee tarantulas. The width of the tank should be two to three times wider than the leg span of the spider wide, and only as tall as the spider’s leg span. Floor space is more important than height.
Substrate: 2 to 3 inches of peat moss, or potting soil.
Decor: No decorations are really needed, but you can add a log, or cork bark, or half of a small clay flower pot can be used as a place to hide.
Temperature: 75 to 85 F.
Humidity: 65 to 75%.
Growth: Slow
Diet: Gut-loaded crickets, other large insects, small lizards, pinkie mice, and an occasional fuzzy mouse. The Mexican Red Knee will feed two or three times per week usually.
All tarantulas that have at least a 3″ legspan may drink from a shallow, wide water dish.
Temperament: Docile and calm.
Notes: When you see a Tarantula in the movies, this is usually the species you see. This is also the classic pet tarantula, quite possibly the most popular of all the tarantula species.
For a comprehensive guide to Brachypelma smithi – Mexican Red Knee Tarantula care, visit:
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