Meet the Mexican redleg tarantula! This spider has a lot in common with its cousin, the Mexican redknee tarantula. Because they’re friendly and live a long time, many people love having them as pets. Join us to discover cool facts about this friendly crawler!
Size: They stand out with an impressive size of 18-19 cm.
Color: Their body is dark brown, with a lighter carapace and a dark abdomen. The carapace has a distinct black triangle, while from the second joint onwards, the spider’s legs are orange, pink, or red, giving it its name.
Other Characteristic Features: They weigh approximately 15-16 g.
Eggs
These spiders lay eggs inside a sac made of webbing.
Spiderlings
The spiderlings, or slings, have white legs and black bodies.
The Web
Like other tarantulas, they capture prey by ambushing them, not by webbing them.
Are Mexican Redleg Tarantulas Venomous?
Yes, Mexican Redleg tarantulas have venom. They use it to catch their favorite snacks. But for most people, the venom isn’t too strong.
Can Mexican Redleg Tarantulas Bite?
While venomous, this spider is reluctant to bite, instead flinging the urticating hair on its abdomen at any intruders.
Ecological Importance and Behavior of Mexican Redleg Tarantula
Mexican Redleg tarantulas are significant insect predators, contributing to the control of pest populations. Their nocturnal hunting habits and life in the underbrush play a role in the nutrient cycle of their forest ecosystems.
Natural Predators: Despite their formidable appearance, they are preyed upon by various animals, including birds and parasitic wasps, maintaining the balance of the food chain.
Prey-Predator Dynamics: Their diet aids in regulating the populations of various small animals and insects, thereby maintaining the delicate balance of their ecosystem.
Relationship with Humans: The Mexican Redleg tarantula is a popular pet due to its docile nature, showcasing the potential for a harmonious human-animal relationship. However, their wild populations face threats from habitat loss and pet trade, highlighting the need for conservation efforts.
Quick Facts
Other names
Red-legged tarantula
Lifespan
Males: 5 years, Females: 30 years
Distribution
Mexico, in the Sierra Madre Occidental in Sinaloa and Nayarit
Habitat
Mountainous forests
Predators
Birds, snakes, and hunting wasps
Diet
Cockroaches, frogs, insects, mammals, mealworms, reptiles, scorpions, small birds, and other spiders
Did You Know
Scottish zoologist Adam White first described this tarantula in 1856 as Mygale Emilia. However, in 1891 French naturalist Eugène Louis Simon transferred it to the new genus Brachypelma, even becoming the type species.
In conclusion, the Mexican Redleg tarantula stands as a testament to the intricate web of life, serving as a pivotal species in its habitat and an ambassador for arachnid-human interaction.
A Mexican Redleg tarantula has a dark brown body with a lighter carapace that features a distinct black triangle. Its most identifying feature is its legs, which are a vibrant orange, pink, or red from the second joint onward, contrasting sharply with its darker body and abdomen.
Adult Mexican Redleg tarantulas reach an impressive size with a leg span of up to 18-19 centimeters (about 7.5 inches). They are considered a medium-to-large species, with a typical adult weight of approximately 15 to 16 grams, making them a very substantial and visible pet.
No, Mexican Redleg tarantulas are not considered aggressive and are well-known for their docile and calm temperament. This species is very reluctant to bite and will almost always choose to flee or flick urticating hairs as a defense before showing any signs of aggression toward handlers.
A Brachypelma emilia primarily defends itself by flicking the urticating hairs from its abdomen at a perceived threat. These tiny, barbed hairs are meant to irritate a predator’s skin or eyes. Biting is a rare, last-resort defense mechanism for this particularly calm tarantula species.
The venom of a Mexican Redleg tarantula is not considered medically significant or dangerous for most humans. While they are venomous, they use it to subdue insect prey. A bite would likely result in localized pain and swelling, comparable to a bee sting, but is not a serious threat.
Mexican Redleg tarantulas are considered excellent pets due to their remarkably docile nature, long lifespan, and reluctance to bite. Their calm temperament, combined with their striking coloration and manageable care requirements, makes them a highly popular choice for both beginner and experienced tarantula keepers.
Mexican Redleg tarantulas catch their prey by ambushing it rather than using a web to trap it. As nocturnal hunters, they typically wait near their burrow for insects or other small animals to wander close. They then quickly strike, using their venom to subdue the meal.
Dr Richard J. Pearce (PhD) on June 11, 2022.
Spider Team
