Mike's Basic Tarantula

A Basic Site for the Tarantula enthusiast

Brachypelma aratum

Common name: Mexican Flame Knee

Indigenous: Central America, Mexico

Habitat: savanna, scrubland

Temp/humidity: 70°-85° (21.1°-29.4°C) degrees/65%-80%  humidity; I keep this species temperature at 80° (26.6°C) and the humidity at 65-70%. I wet one half side of the terrarium where the water dish is then allow it to dry out completely.

Enclosure: Use a spiderling vial that will allow at least three inches (7.62cm) of substrate for burrowing and four inches (10.16cm) as sub-adult-adult.

Substrate: I use three inches of substrate in vial and four inches (10.16cm) in terrarium. (I use a mixture of peat moss, vermiculite, coconut fiber and dirt for firmness, as the substrate).

Retreat/Hide: Place a bark for a starter burrow hide. This is an opportunistic burrower. When they reach  three inches (7.62cm), they stay out in the open more than in their hide, which make them a good display tarantula

Food Consumption: I first fed her fruit flies, than when she reached 1/2" (1.27cm) I introduced baby crickets. I give my Mexican Flame Knee (2) B. dubia roaches or seven (7) - adult crickets weekly. This species is a excellent eater.

Water Requirements: I keep a water dish in the tank. I have never seen mine drink.

Growth Rate: The growth rate of this species is medium. I purchased my girls as spiderlings of 1/4" (0.635cm) in size. After the first year she had grown to one and a half inch (3.81cm). With constant feeding and with temperatures in the low to mid 80's, they reached a size of three inches (7.62cm within three years.

Adult Size: I read that they grow to six (15.24cm) inches. After eight years mine are a solid six inches (15.24cm)

Temperament: This is a docile species. It has never kicked hair at me nor given me a threat pose.

Comments: This is a very hardy tarantula. They are always out rearranging their cage. They are good at filling their water dish with substrate. This species also makes a good display animal. The knees of this Brachy is a fire engine red, hence the name Flame Knee, with white bands on the joints. The legs are slimmer than the B. smithi, which make it easily recognizable. I wouldn't be caught without one of these as a hobbyist.

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