1.1 Brachypelma hamorii
Mexican Red Knee (SA)
CAMBRIDGE, 1897
Species Info:
Origin
Lifestyle
Temp
Humidity
Leg Span
Disposition
Suitability
This is the classic pet Tarantula species and is popular species that every keeper owns or has owned one. Docile, attractive patterning, long lived, large and robust. This species is also very easy to keep and will spend a lot of time making it a good display species. All of these factors make it an ideal first time species. It is a fossorial species, in the wild they inhabit both dry forests and tropical deciduous forests. Usually founds under rocks or tree roots (West, R, 2005). This what the first Theraphosid species placed on CITES in 1985 and it is illegal to collect them from the wild. Need to be kept in a standard terrestrial type terrarium with 5-6cm of slightly moistened substrate and provided a shallow water bowl for drinking. You can provide it with a retreat though it may not use it.
This beautiful spider is regularly bred in captivity. The cocoon contains 400 – 600 eggs. Spiderlings have a slow growth rate and females mature at around five years and later. They are however none problematic to rear. This is one of the “Pet Rock”; spiders and are not aggressive and is considered a good starting species.