Most tarantulas can be kept in the range of 68-75 degrees Fahrenheit, which is room temperature in a most homes. For instance, don’t place it right next to your stereo system. Decor is totally for your own enjoyment, since your T really doesn't care what its cage looks like as long as it has all the basics. You should also avoid getting a cage that is too tall, since all Ts climb and a fall of more than a few inches can injure or kill them. However, I abhor a drab, boring cage, so I like to put in an artificial plant or two for appearance's sake. // ]]> The Tarantula Keeper's Guide is a book I would recommend to anyone with is serious about getting into the hobby of getting a Tarantula As Pets. The well-known Mexican red-knee tarantulas are actually two different species of spider that are native to the Pacific coast of Mexico. If heat is required it is best to use a very small reptile heat pad placed near the enclosure or on the side of a larger tank, but certainly not beneath or in direct contact as you would use it for any other reptile. Mexican red knee Tarantula different names. When placing a black or red incandescent bulb set it up several feet away from the cage. Join Yahoo Answers and get 100 points today. Tarantulas are not messy pets, they excrete a quick-drying fluid that has virtually no smell or mess. Terrariums should be sized to each of your tarantulas specific needs, in general 3 times the leg span across and 2 times for the height is a good guideline to follow. And what to feed it. When placing a black or red incandescent bulb set it up several feet away from the cage. It is advisable to let the temperature decrease as much as 10 degrees at night, especially for desert tarantulas. A little larger is okay, but avoid a really big cage. 1 of 2 Go to page. If your tarantula species requires moderate to high humidity like such, you can provide this by keeping the substrate partially or mostly moist. I always recommend Zoo Med ReptiTherm® Under Tank Heater because there are the most reasonable and reliable ones out there. Remove everything from the tank, wash it inside out. More often than not, a slightly lower humidity level is better than a higher one. The Mexican Redknee tarantula is every spider lover’s preferred pet of choice because of its unique coloration and a docile personality. Unlike the early years, where specimens were captured in the wild and shipped worldwide, a CITES listing means all current pet specimens are now captive bred. When designing your enclosure remember that terrestrial (ground-dwelling) tarantulas like more ground space and a deeper substrate, whereas arboreal (tree-dwelling) tarantulas need taller enclosures with a piece of cork bark or similar item to climb and attach silk nests. Good luck!

Giving Ts mice is wholly unnecessary unless there is absolutely nothing else available, not a likely situation. Lastly, always remember that nicotine is a strong and powerful insecticide so keep your distance from your pet tarantula when smoking! Tanks and aquariums work well, as long as you ensure that the top of the tank is sealed tightly whereby the tarantula remains enclosed. This is because of the minute ‘hooks’ on its pads / feet, to tarantulas, a piece of glass is nothing more than a jagged rock face. Listeria outbreak linked to deli meats kills 1, hospitalizes 9, Fauci: Early vaccines will only prevent symptoms, Sacha Baron Cohen's close call at gun rally, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani announce engagement, Kiffin threatens to pay $25K SEC fine with pennies, 'Rescued from this evil': 45 missing children recovered, Wendy Williams sends message to worried fans, Fox Sports host: 'I'm glad sports TV ratings are down', NBA player explains team's decision to boycott game, How to spot voter intimidation and what to do about it, AOC is quick to respond to Trump's latest rally insult. A minimum tank size for housing your pet spider is five gallons. May 9, 2016 #2 Zurchiboy Active Member.

Avoid lids with wire or mesh screening, your T could be injured if it gets its claws stuck. You can also use a half-log from a pet store. To tarantulas, climbing glass is not a huge feat. One of the earliest arthropods They usually excavate burrows, often beneath other objects, in which they retire during the day as protection from the searing heat. Common name: Mexican Red Knee Scientific name: Brachypelma Smithi, B. Smithi Appearance: Mexican Red Knee tarantulas are mostly black with bands of red, orange and tan on their legs. The Mexican red knee tarantula originates from the semi-desert scrubland of Mexico and Panama. The Mexican Red Knee Tarantula. Looks like a good enclosure. Never put a sponge in the water, this just invites bacteria which could seriously harm your T. Mexican Red Knees appreciate some form of hideaway.

May 9, 2016 #1 Cuban86 Member . My Red Knee dug it out to suit her fancy and it's a very handy option. Turn the light off at night unless it gets below 60 degrees in your house. If you find that your pet tarantula is reluctant to walk on the substrate, it might be too damp. Some people like to decorate the interior with silk plants, leaves etc. Of course, however, live plants are without a doubt more attractive, personally I think it’s a good trade-off. Pour enough into the tank (dry) to form a layer at least 1 inch thick when firmly tamped down. It will also dehydrate quicker so you must be very observant of the environment and diligent with care.

Would you choose pets over having kids? Feeding is extremely simple. Go.

In general cleaning the tarantula’s cage should not be cleaned more than every 4 – 6 months. Red-kneed tarantulas are restricted to the seasonally dry desert areas of western Mexico. Just make sure that nothing you put into the tank is potentially toxic or very sharp. [CDATA[ The lack of vegetation helps them in creating their burrows. Keep in mind that the warmer you keep your tarantula, the higher its metabolic rate will be.

The nicest thing about this is that you can go away on a 2-week vacation and not worry...just fill up the water dish and you're good to go. Reactions: SikmT7. For substrate, a good choice is shredded cocounut husk (Eco Earth is one commercial type).

How to care for a Brachypelma Smithi. If you use a light for heat and display, be sure to monitor the humidity levels closely. Should have 5 inches of subrastrate a hide and a water dish available for it. For mine, I use an empty toilet paper roll with a small section cut out lengthwise, and set it firmly in the substrate at an angle, preferably against the wall or in a corner.

Without this retreat, these spiders would rapidly succumb to the drying heat. This is for good reason too, the very vibrant colors on their bodies contrasting with a very dark color make them easily distinguishable from the rest. I use it for all my Terrariums and have never been dissatisfied once. The lack of sand prevents their holes from collapsing. In fact, such is the extent of their burrows that an average hole dug by these species can range between 40-45 centimeters. Not only does it provide a simple button operation, more importantly it provides accurate temperature and humidity indication, source: wikipedia, tarantulas, mikes tarantulas.

C l i c k h e r e for the article. Brachypelma auratum, or the Mexican Flame Knee tarantula, boasts lustrous bright red and orange stripes on its knees.Although there are well over 800 different types of tarantulas, the Mexican Flame Knee enjoys a unique place among exotic pet enthusiasts due to a docile personality, bright appearance, large size, and low maintenance. Some tropical species may require temperature in the upper 70s during the day, but no tarantula should be kept much above 80 for any extended periods of time. If you need help buying an enclosure why not check out our enclosure review. (function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){ It’s also known as the red-kneed tarantula. High humidity often results in mildew and mold problems in the terrarium. Tarantulas do not require plants or decorations, but they can be used if you want to make your pet’s home more attractive. Development rate. The Mexican Red Rump prefers living in open areas with relatively little to no vegetation. Remember that tarantulas are cannibalistic, spiders should never be kept together. Avoid areas with direct sunlight and away from places where there is a lot of heavy foot traffic and  vibrations. Whatever you feed should not be larger than the tarantula's abdomen. Avoid using light as a heat source as tarantulas generally prefer dark conditions.

Tarantulas are notorious for being escape artists. Like many other Mexican tarantulas, the Red Rump spends plenty of time burrowing. Always transfer your tarantula to a secure holding container before beginning to clean the tank. Common name: Mexican Red Knee Scientific name: Brachypelma Smithi, B. Smithi Appearance: Mexican Red Knee tarantulas are mostly black with bands of red, orange and tan on their legs. Its abdomen is black with a few red hairs.

Word of caution: Never feed your T wild-caught insects! m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m) Before transporting your pet tarantula, ensure that you are in a confined space as these pets are quick on their feet to find hard to get to hiding places. Fake plants also do not require light and tarantulas prefer dark cages. All of the things that are needed to keep it happy and healthy. That is a question you will have to answer when setting up the cage / enclosure for your tarantula. Feed your T about 6-8 crickets per month, they don't need more than this.