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  • Brachypelma hamorii (form. smithi) (Mexican Red Knee)  1 1/4-1 3/4"+ MALE #Q-67
Brachypelma hamorii (form. smithi) (Mexican Red Knee)  1 1/4-1 3/4"+ MALE #Q-67

Brachypelma hamorii (form. smithi) (Mexican Red Knee) 1 1/4-1 3/4"+ MALE #Q-67

Recommended enclosure:  A Mag Terra or Terrestrial Juvneile.

Recommended Food: Medium B. lateralis

Brachypelma smithi (recently reclassified as hamorii)  is the “Hobby Classic Tarantula” also known as the Mexican Red Knee this tarantula is coveted by beginners and experienced keepers alike. Known for being large, colorful and docile (yet skittish) this scrub-land/desert tarantula is extremely hardy. A long-lived species the females are known to sometimes live in excess of 30 years. 


Origin: New World. Native to the deserts and scrublands of Eastern Mexico

Difficulty: Beginner

Type: Terrestrial

Adult Size: 5-6”

Growth speed: Slow

Longevity: Males 6-14 years, females 20-40 years

Temperament: Docile yet skittish. If agitated B. smithi may flee and/or flick urticating hairs.

Bite potency:  Mild

Urticating hairs: Yes

Ideal Temperature:  70 to 74°

Humidity: Low to Medium

Fun Fact: B. smithi was used in the Indiana Jones Temple of Doom.

Enclosure: B. smithi's enclosure should be longer than it is tall. A good rule of thumb is the length of the enclosure should be a minimum of three times the diagonal legspan of the tarantula. Good ventilation is a must and safety should be a top priority when choosing and designing your tarantulas enclosure. The enclosure should not be too tall as to give the spider an opportunity to fall and injure itself. For spiderlings under about 1 1/4" we recommend the Terrestrial Spiderling Enclosure Kit. For specimens over 1" to about 2" we recommend the Terrestrial Juvenile Enclosure Kit. Specimens over 2" and under about 4.5 or 5" can go into a 7x7x11" complete terrestrial enclosure although because B. hamorri can reach 5-6" in length we recommend the 8x8x14" Adult Complete Terrestrial as a permeant enclosure for 2-2.5" and over specimens. Click HERE to find out how to you measure a tarantula.

Substrate: While most B. hamorii adults will adopt a hide, slings often prefer to burrow. Cocofiber, vermiculite, peat moss and/or potting soil (or a mix) are all excellent substrate choices. Please make sure the substrate you choose is organic and chemical/fertilizer free. Do not use sand, pebbles, rocks or wood chips or anything else that could potentially cut or injure the tarantula.

In many cases a larger Red Knee would rather adopt an existing hide than create it's own. Cork tubes half buried in substrate are what we use for our adult females. The B. smithi will excavate one side of the cork tube to it's liking. I like to think this makes the tarantula feel “at home” while minimizing the time and effort for the spider to settle in.

Larger spiders 2” and over should be provided with a shallow water dish in order to drink. The water bowl should be rinsed our every time it is refilled. Being a desert scrubland species B. smithi will not require frequent misting however, I recommend keeping one corner of B. smithi enclosure lightly misted.

Feeding: Adults will eat every 6-14 days depending on the size of the spider and it's prey. Spiderlings should eat more often, every 5-10 days. Adults may be fed crickets, mealworms or roaches. Spiderlings under .75” can only eat food small enough for it to overpower. This includes pinhead crickets, flightless fruit flies & freshly hatched "pinhead" rusty red roaches. It is not advised to feed your tarantula wild-caught food. It could contain parasites or pesticides that could be fatal to your pet. Keep your tarantulas enclosure clean. food waste left in the enclosure will invite mold, mildew, mites, flies and other pests. It is advised to remove uneaten prey items after 3-12 hours. If using a feeder who will not “bother” a tarantula such as dubia roaches it is alright to leave them in the enclosure as long as they are not causing stress to the specimen. A more detailed feeding, misting & troubleshooting guide can be found here: https://jamiestarantulas.com/guides/

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