Brachypelma hamorii (Mexican Red Knee Tarantula)

Brachypelma hamorii (Mexican Red Knee Tarantula)

The Mexican Red Knee Tarantula, or Brachypelma hamorii, is a terrestrial tarantula from Mexico. Adults have black legs banded in iconic red-orange at the joints and knees, a black carapace, and a black abdomen. 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 Red Knee Tarantula for sale today, offered here as a spiderling through mature adult.

Why do hobbyists keep Mexican Red 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.
• Iconic in the Hobby: The tarantula most people picture.

How should Brachypelma hamorii be kept?

• Adult Size: Hatches around 0.5 inch, adult max about 5 to 6 inches.
• Enclosure: Scales with the animal, from a 6 by 6 by 4 inch start up to an 18 by 18 by 12 inch adult setup.
• Setup Tips: A cork hide sized to fully enter speeds settling in.
• Rehousing: Three enclosures cover this species for life.
• 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: Prey size ranges from 1/8 up to a 1 inch cricket, once a week.
• Temperament: Calm and forgiving, a docile terrestrial species.

Are there any additional notes or considerations for Brachypelma hamorii?

• 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.
• Fun Fact: Recognized in film and TV.
• Look-Alike Note: River-split from smithi; more orange, blacker carapace.
• Also Written: Also searched as Mexican Redknee Tarantula, Mexican Red-Knee Tarantula, and Mexican Red Knee Tarantulas, plus the abbreviated B. hamorii or B hamorii.

Looking for similar species?

• Browse our New World and Docile Species collections.

Frequently asked questions about Mexican Red Knee Tarantula

• Is the Mexican Red Knee Tarantula a good beginner species? Yes, one of the best beginner picks for a first tarantula.
• Is B. hamorii the same as B. smithi? No, smithi is larger, redder.

Which size should I choose?

• 0.5-0.75" Spiderling: Start raising this species from the very beginning.
• 1-1.25" Juvenile: Past the earliest stage, coloration starting to show.
• 1.5-2" Juvenile: Past the earliest stage, coloration starting to show.
• 2-2.5" Juvenile: Past the earliest stage, coloration starting to show.
• 2-2.5" Juvenile female: Confirmed female juvenile.
• 2-2.5" Juvenile male: Confirmed male juvenile.
• 2.5-3" Juvenile: Past the earliest stage, coloration starting to show.
• 2.5-3" Juvenile female: Confirmed female juvenile.
• 2.5-3" Juvenile male: Confirmed male juvenile.
• 3-3.5" Juvenile male: Confirmed male juvenile.
• 4-5" Mature female: Full adult female, near full coloration and size.