Mike's Basic Tarantula

A Basic Site for the Tarantula enthusiast

Brachypelma hamorii [formally B. smithi]

Common name: Mexican Redknee

Indigenous: 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 60-70%. I wet one half side of the terrarium where the water dish is by overflowing the dish, 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 (10.61cm) as sub-adult-adult.

Substrate: I use three inches (7.62cm) 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 Redknee (2) B. dubia roaches or seven (7) - adult crickets weekly. This species is an 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 (1.5"). 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 fourteen years my oldest is a solid six and one-half inches (16.51cm)

Temperament: This is a docile species and have never given a threat pose; yet two of mine are notorious for kicking urticating hairs. My oldest Redknee has stopped kicking hairs. I guess time brings about a change in tarantulas too. :)

Comments: I read that this was the tarantula that started the hobby. I've only had my oldest Redknee for eleven years. My first T was a Grammostola rosea, which I purchased in 1988 that I kept for twelve (12) years before buying this Redknee that I purchased in January 2000. These are my babies. After a Red Knee tarantula matures, the legs start getting thick. These tarantulas are impressive to see when age set in. Everyone has at least one of these.

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