Mexican Giant Redknee Tarantula
Brachypelma smithi
The TRUE Brachypelma smithi, recently renamed (or rather, restored) as 'Mexican Giant Redknee Tarantula'. After decades of total confusion in which the B. hamorii was sold as smithi, the real original smithi of Cambridge (1897) has re-emerged. More massive and darker than the hamorii, it boasts (6.3-6.7 inches legspan) and a slightly more reactive temperament. It also sports red/orange legs, but the V of demarcation on the knees is visually different and the colors are often more opaque but on a more giant and robust body.
Ambiente
Terrestre
Umidade
55 - 70 %
Temperatura diurna
24 - 28 °C
Temperatura noturna
20 - 24 °C
Descrição da espécie
Geographic Origin and Habitat: The World Spider Catalog lists Mexico as the distribution of Brachypelma smithi. The cited taxonomic record does not describe habitat or captive environmental conditions.
Taxonomy and Genetics: The World Spider Catalog lists Brachypelma smithi (F. O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1897) as an accepted species in the family Theraphosidae. The cited record does not report a genetic result for this species.
Behaviour and Habits: The cited taxonomic record provides no species-specific behavioural observations; none are inferred here.
Morphology and Sexual Dimorphism: The cited taxonomic record provides no morphological measurements or sexual-dimorphism data; none are inferred here.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Terrarium Setup: CITES guidance reports Brachypelma smithi as fossorial and states that it modifies previously excavated burrows or self-excavates its own. This natural-history observation does not establish enclosure dimensions, substrate depth, materials, or a captive setup protocol.
Lighting and Heating: CITES guidance reports that the species inhabits subtropical dry thorn and deciduous secondary forest of lowlands near Mexico's Pacific coast. This natural-habitat statement does not set a lighting or heating schedule for captivity.
Humidity and Hydration: The cited guidance does not quantify a captive humidity target or hydration protocol.
Feeding and Supplementation: The cited guidance does not document captive diet, feeding frequency, quantities, or supplementation.
Compatibility and Coexistence: The cited guidance does not provide a cohabitation recommendation.
Health and Common Diseases: The cited guidance does not provide clinical disease, treatment, or veterinary-management guidance.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
Esta espécie é originária de: Messico (Habitat limitato alle aride savane costiere dello stato di Guerrero).
Origem
Oceanos tropicais e recifesAmérica Central e Caribe
Perfil de invertebrados terrestres
- Dieta
- Carnivore
- Brachypelma smithi is an opportunistic ambush predator that thrives on a diet of appropriately sized live insects. Crickets, roaches, and mealworms make excellent staple feeders for this species. Prey should be gut-loaded and occasionally dusted with supplements to ensure optimal nutrition. It is important not to overfeed, as a highly distended abdomen can increase the risk of fatal injuries from falls. Remove any uneaten live prey after 24 hours to prevent them from stressing or injuring the spider.
- Tamanho adulto
- 16 cm
- Estilo de vida/Microhabitat
- Terrestrial
- Brachypelma smithi is perfectly adapted to its specific ecological niche, requiring a setup that closely mimics its natural environment. Terrestrial species need deep, specialized substrate for burrowing, while arboreal species require vertical cork bark tubes and elevated hides. They are generally solitary creatures that should be housed individually to prevent predation. A proper water dish and an appropriate microclimate are essential components of their enclosure. They lead a sedentary lifestyle, meaning they do not require excessively large enclosures compared to active reptiles.
- Ciclo de atividades
- Nocturnal
- Like most tarantulas, Brachypelma smithi is primarily nocturnal, showing the highest levels of activity during the night. They generally remain hidden in their burrows or web tubes during daylight hours to avoid heat and predators. Once the lights go out, they often emerge to sit at the entrance of their hide, waiting to ambush passing prey. Despite being mostly inactive during the day, they may occasionally venture out for water or to adjust their webbing. Maintaining a natural photoperiod is recommended to support this internal circadian rhythm.
- Socialidade
- Solitary
- Like almost all tarantulas, they are strictly solitary and highly cannibalistic creatures that must be housed individually for their entire lives. Attempting to cohabitate multiple specimens in the same enclosure will inevitably result in territorial aggression, severe stress, and ultimately the death and consumption of the weaker spider.
- Reprodução
- Oviparous
- Breeding Brachypelma smithi requires careful introduction of the mature male to the female's enclosure to minimize the risk of cannibalism. The male will drum on the substrate to announce his presence and gauge the female's receptivity. After a successful mating, the female will construct an egg sac containing hundreds of eggs. She will guard this sac fiercely for several weeks until the spiderlings emerge. Providing optimal temperature and humidity during this incubation period is critical for the success of the clutch.
- Venenoso
- Yes
- Tolerância de tratamento
- Tolerant
- Handling Brachypelma smithi is generally discouraged by experienced keepers, as it provides no benefit to the spider and introduces significant risks. A fall from even a minor height can rupture their delicate abdomen, resulting in fatal injury. Additionally, they can deliver a painful bite or release irritating urticating hairs if they become stressed or defensive. If they must be moved for enclosure maintenance, the "catch cup" method is the safest and most stress-free approach. Always prioritize the safety and well-being of the animal over the desire to interact physically.
- Brumação
- Não obrigatório
- Tarantulas like Brachypelma smithi do not undergo true brumation, but their metabolism may slow down considerably if exposed to cooler winter temperatures. In captivity, it is best to maintain a stable, warm temperature year-round to ensure healthy growth and digestion. If temperatures do drop slightly, you may notice a decrease in appetite and activity levels. Never allow the enclosure to reach freezing temperatures, as this will quickly prove fatal. Heating should always be provided via a thermostat-controlled heat mat applied to the side, never the bottom, of the tank.
- Muda
- Regular
- Molting is a critical and vulnerable process for Brachypelma smithi, allowing it to grow and regenerate lost appendages. Before molting, they often refuse food for weeks, become sluggish, and may spin a molting mat of webbing. They will typically flip onto their back to shed their old exoskeleton—never mistake a spider in this position for a dead one. It is crucial to maintain adequate humidity during this time and strictly avoid feeding them until their fangs have fully hardened. Disturbing a tarantula mid-molt can be fatal, so they must be left completely alone.
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