Brachypelma auratum (Mexican Flame Knee Tarantula) 2.5" MALE

Brachypelma auratum (Mexican Flame Knee Tarantula)

The Mexican Flame Knee Tarantula, or Brachypelma auratum, is a terrestrial tarantula from Mexico. Adults have black legs with yellow banding at the joints and bright red-orange knee markings shaped like little hearts or flames, hence the names Heart Knee and Mexican Flame Knee, a black carapace, and a black abdomen. This is likely the most vividly red-colored Brachypelma species, especially right after a fresh molt. This coloration starts coming in around 2 inches, while the species only grows to about 5 to 6 inches in diagonal leg span. Females live about 20 to 30 years, males 4 to 5 years. This species is calm, forgiving, and a great choice for beginner keepers. Grab your very own Mexican Flame Knee Tarantula for sale today, offered here as a juvenile male.

Why do hobbyists keep Mexican Flame Knee Tarantula?

• Black and Red-Orange Coloration: Sells itself the moment you see one in person.
• Docile Temperament: Calm and forgiving, a popular docile terrestrial.
• Great Display Species: Stays visible rather than hiding below ground.
• Beginner Species: A great first sling; arid-region tarantulas are easy to keep.
• Uncommon in the Hobby: A cleaner, more refined take on the classic red-knee look that doesn't show up in every collection, and one that can be genuinely hard to track down.

How should Brachypelma auratum be kept?

• Adult Size: Hatches around 0.5 inch, adult max about 5 to 6 inches.
• Enclosure: A 12 by 12 by 8 inch enclosure with about 4 inch of substrate, sized ahead of the animal.
• Setup Tips: A cork hide sized to fully enter speeds settling in.
• Rehousing: Next upsize: the 18 by 18 by 12 inch enclosure (roughly 18 to 24 months).
• Temperature: 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, optimal for an arid species like this one.
• Humidity: Arid, not kept wet. Never let substrate dry out completely at sling size.
• Water: A shallow textured water dish, something to grip climbing out.
• Diet: A 5/8 inch cricket or similar roach, once a week.
• Temperament: Calm and forgiving, a docile terrestrial species.

Are there any additional notes or considerations for Brachypelma auratum?

• Captive Bred: Captive bred, from Exotics Unlimited.
• Slow Growth Rate: Reaches adult size over roughly 4 to 6 years.
• Defensive Behavior: Hair-flicking is rare, a last resort.

Looking for similar species?

• Browse our New World and Docile Species collections.

Frequently asked questions about Mexican Flame Knee Tarantula

• Is the Mexican Flame Knee Tarantula a good beginner species? Yes, one of the best beginner picks for a first tarantula.

Listing Notes

• This listing is for a Brachypelma auratum Mexican Flame Knee Tarantula juvenile male measuring around 2.5 to 3 inch in diagonal leg span, a confirmed male. Please note male size may differ from the max size listed for this species, since in most spiders the females grow larger. The coloration should already be showing at this size, and it keeps intensifying with every molt.
• Looking for other sizes? Also available as a 1.5-2" Juvenile, 3-3.5" Juvenile female.