Defining Characteristics:

• One of the less commonly offered Brachypelma species, these guys can tend towards the defensive, being common hair-flickers
• These spiders stand out from the Red Knee species —their red markings are only on one joint segment of the leg and almost looks embroidered on
• Great species that likes to stay in the open as adults, making a lovely and well-tempered display spider

Name: The Brachypelma auratum is commonly known as the Mexican Flame Knee. Its scientific name has Greek and Latin roots meaning "short sole of the foot" and "airiness” or “glowing."

Enclosure Size & Setup: This is a terrestrial species. Surface area of the enclosure should be no less than two times the spider's diagonal leg span in one direction, and three times the diagonal leg span in the other.

The enclosure should be tall enough to accommodate 2-3 inches of substrate for slings and 4+ inches for adults. Appropriate substrates include ABG mix, Dig-It, or coco cradle. Never allow your terrestrial spider more than two times their diagonal leg span as head space above their substrate as a fall from any higher could be catastrophic.

Temperature Range (°F): Ideally kept in the mid 70° range with a bit of wiggle room in either direction. Temperatures consistently below 65° or above 85° should be avoided.

A thermometer is recommended to keep an eye on temperatures in the enclosure.

Humidity: 60-70%. Slings should stay on lightly moist substrate. Adults should have a water dish and a corner of their enclosure that goes through a wet/dry cycle, moistening the substrate and then leaving it alone until it dries out.

Size: Specimens sold by Josh's frogs will be at least 2 inches at time of sale. Adults can reach up to a 6 inch diagonal leg span.

Age: B. auratum babies sold by Josh's Frogs are at least 2-3 months old. Males reach 4-5 years, with females drastically outliving them at 20+ years.

Feeding: These spiders are currently eating two to three 1/2 inch crickets, once a week. There are a variety of appropriate prey items that you can offer, such as roaches, waxworms, black soldier fly larvae, hornworms, and silkworms.

We recommend that the prey items not be much longer than the tarantula's “head” is wide.

Larvae are an exception—our larvae are harmless. Since they are very high in fat, they're not the best staple diet, however they make a great weight gain supplement.

Consider feeding your prey items with our gutload formula to give your pet well-rounded nutrition.

Never attempt to feed a freshly molted tarantula less than a week after their molt to prevent injury to the spider.

Sexing: Specimens of 2.5-3 inch diagonal leg span will be able to start being accurately sexed. The most accurate method is always molt sexing, the molt of a female tarantula of appropriate size will have spermatheca and a uterus externus in between the top two sets of book lungs that will appear as a "flap" that will catch and open if a pin is gently run down this section of the old exoskeleton. Males will have a much more plain slit that will not budge with attempts to manipulate it.

Due to their age, B. auratum spiderlings sold by Josh's Frogs are sold as unsexed animals.

Coloration/Patterning: Slings are light brown, growing to a velvety black with white banding and fire engine red markings on their legs.

Social Behavior: Brachypelma auratum are not social creatures and any attempt to cohabitate will likely result in cannibalism.

Natural Range: Parts of Central America and Mexico.

History in the Hobby: Red Rumps have been established as an exotic species in Florida due to either accidental or intentional releases by pet owners.

Links of Interest:

• Arachnoboards: a community of spider enthusiasts that will be able to or have already answered almost any question you can think of with regards to tarantulas.

Still not sure if the Mexican Flame Knee tarantula from Josh's Frogs is the right pet bug for you? Read the reviews below and see what other customers are saying!