Mexican Red Leg

Basic Description

Brachypelma emilia aka Mexican Red Leg - native to Mexico they live up to 30-40 years. They grow up to 6 inches or more. Their main diet are insects and sometimes small animals. This tarantula has a “V” shape pattern it is carapace and with a red coloration on its abdomen. It also has a wash out redish leg. When its freshly molted the bands and reddish coloration on its legs are more noticeable.

Temperament

One of the best beginner pet tarantulas. Most individuals are very docile and hardy. They are usually out from their house or burrow which is perfect as a display pet. From 1 - 10 being ten the most aggressive this specie is 3-4 in most individuals.

Diet

In captivity they usually feed on crickets, roaches, mice, small reptiles and amphibians. They only eat once or twice a week. Depending on the size of the abdomen of the tarantula, they can survive for weeks without eating.

Housing

Tarantulas can be house in different size containers. 1 inch tarantula can be house in a deli cup. 3-5 inch can be house in a 5 gallon tank. 6 inch and above can be house in a 10 gallon tank. They can also be house in a shoe box to save space.

Tarantulas need moist substrate so that their book lungs will not dry out. Any of the following substrate can be use, vermiculite, sphagnum moss, cocofiber and orchid bark.

Water dish is required, not a lot of people know but tarantulas drink too. Make sure that the water dish is clean at all times to stop the development of bacteria in the tarantula cage.

Growth Rate

This specie grow rate from 1 - 10, 10 being the fastest and 1 being the slowest. This specie grow about 4 out of 10 speed, with daily feeding they can reach breedable size in 3-4 years in captivity.

Special Feature

This is one of the few tarantulas that has a V shape on its carapace. One of the only few tarantula that has 3 or more coloration. One of the few colorful medium large size terrestrial in the hobby.

Here is a pic of a gigantic female Brachypelma Emilia.

The Duchess had an 8” (20+ cm) DLS. For that matter, she still does. She’s ensconced in a bottle of alcohol in a storage locker in Calgary.