Scientific Classification

Family: Theraphosidae
Order: Araneae
Class: Arachnida
Genus: Brachypelma
Species: Smithi

          Description

This spider can grow to four inches in length, and two to three ounces in weight. Like most tarantulas, they are very hairy. As its name suggests, the Mexican Red Knee Tarantula has orange-red knees. The rest of their body is black.

          Habitat

As you can probably tell by its name, the Mexican Red Knee Tarantula is native to Mexico, but it can also be found in the deserts and rainforests of Central America.

          Prey

These spiders are an endangered species, therefore some are kept in captivity. In the zoo they live on a diet of crickets. Out in the wild they eat several insects, such as millipedes, other arachnids, such as scorpions and other spiders.

          Predators

When confronted by a predator, this spider will flick off its hairs, which imbed themselves into the predators skin. The hairs are mildly poisonous, and can cause nausea, temporary blindness and rashes.