holbee - 2013-03-15 Hi,my friends Mexican Red Kneed Tarantula she hasn't moved today, but was very active last night. Her legs are not curled under, but are twitching. Does anyone have any advice please.
lisa - 2011-11-30 Hi, I could do with some advice please. I have a 3 year old red knee and she is lovely. I've only had her about a month and she would let me hold her and she was quite happy, but she has now turned. She will flick, hairs and rear up her front legs, and that's only when I change her water bowl. If I try to touch her she runs. She is feeding really well, to well I think as she always eats what I put in her tank x
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Charlie Roche - 2011-11-30 Could just be a phase for reaching sexual maturity. She also could be starting a major molt although they usually stop eating then. Possible stress - have you moved the enclosure or major temperature change. Anything different?
lisa - 2011-12-01 When my husband got her from the pet shop she was just in a plastic box with a water bowl,but her new tank is all set up right for her. I don't know how long she was in there for or why they got rid of her? Do you think she could be hungry? The first week she ate 10 crickets. I've read that you can over fed them so I haven't feed her this week. thanks for your advice x
simon - 2011-12-18 The tank you have put her in is not to large is it? We find the mexican can get stressed in large enclosers unlike our white knee and goliath who love to roam round looking for trouble .
Anonymous - 2011-12-22 No, the tank is quite small and the pet shop recommened it. She just seems to have the hump the whole time, she even reared up when i changed her water the other day, shame as she is so lovely i just wanna hold her,
Keith B. - 2012-07-04 I also have a 3 year old I've raised from a baby. She hasn't burrowed much at all for a couple molts, but is absolutely lovely about being handled (however stubborn, as she won't move when nudged lol). I have heard of phases sometimes with a tarantula where their attitude has changed. It could be the case here. It could also be that she is hungry and after a meal, and has to adjust to you entering the tank when she is not well fed. I'd also look at where she's at at the time, as some tarantulas can be protective when they're in their burrows. I hope she changes for you, as they are wonderful T's to hold. Just be careful about letting them walk on you when sitting still. My gf did and she mistook her pajamas for soil and tried to dig to safety, at first with her front legs, then her fangs! When my gf reacted she shut her mouth, as if to apologize for the misunderstanding, but it was a close call lol
lisa - 2013-01-27 She has settled down really well and I held her today, she has also grown out of her tank so I've moved her to a bigger one, think she might be getting ready to moult again as she has a bald patch that is turning darker by the day and she hasn't eaten for a few weeks.
Cheryl Luhrs - 2012-12-20 I was around several adults and helped care for spiderlings. I encountered creatures that were NOT creepy, crawly but highly evolved, interesting, clean, fun, spiders. They're a big reason we don't have insects up to our neck.
Harry Jackson - 2012-07-09 Hi, my mexican redknee has not eaten now for almost 12 months and I am getting quite concerened. She has not molted since I have owned her and that is almost 3 years now. She has a large bald patch on her abdomen, but it is not dark it is an orangey/brown colour? Her setup includes a heatmat, waterdish and tree bark hide with a coconut subtrate which I keep humified. She is pretty small and has gone quite pale in her colourings, when I first got her she was a very bright orange and black. Any suggestions please? - I have spoken with the reptile shop where I brought her form and they say this can be normal????
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Charlie Roche - 2012-07-09 It isn't all that unusual according to red knee owners. Seriously, many go months without eating. 12 months seems like a long time and I sure don't know how they do it but they seem to be able to. There isn't much you can do about it. Have you tried all the various live insects?
Mickey Teesdale - 2012-08-01 I would be afraid that a Tarantula would not be Satan, based on their behavior after studying them. The key is they are tricksters with their molting. Mickey It's smarter to let the Butterfly Pavillion own them.
sox - 2010-12-02 Ours has molted for the second time and its f*$*in massive and beautiful can't wait til we get our second tarantula idk what we are getting yet but hopefully a chilian white knee.
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hankypanky56 - 2012-07-02 If you don't mind getting something a little more fast and skittish, I would recommend a Green Bottle Blue, I have one and it's colors are just beautiful, totally makes up for its attitude. They don't have that bad of an attitude, easy to take care of. And since they are heavy webers they are very fun to watch.
Brett - 2010-06-01 How do you determine a tarantula's gender?
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marian miner - 2010-06-12 the male will have hooks on the front of his legs you will notice them and they will not shed as much, they will be a little smaller, and they will spin a small area that they sit on like a blanket. They also will tap their front legs. females,they are larger,they spin the webs,thats all I can say about the females I hope that helps you.
poli - 2012-03-31 You should wait until your spider is a good size. Once it molts spray the molt with a spray bottle until its moist enough so that it will unfold. Then looking at the molt, gently spread out the outer layer of the abdoman that would be the spiders tummy. The 2 white sacks are their book lungs. It's how they breath. The best way to tell if its a female or male is right in between the book lungs. There should be a large slit, an opening that if you were to take a toothpick you would be able to easily insert it into this slit and see it slide right through the skin and out the other side. This is characteristic is strickly FEMALE, its how she collects the male sperm. A male spider will not have this slit! Best to wait until your spider molts. Check youTube for a step by step video of this process!
Megan - 2010-06-07 I have just, today, purchased a mexican red knee. It is my first tarantula but my dad had one when I was really little. Due to it being a private sale, there was little information given out. She appears to have just molted as there was a skin in her tank. However, at the base of the abdomen, is an orange patch which should be black and has no hair on it. Should I be concerned or will this change as she appears to have just molted?
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Nate - 2011-02-08 I can't say for sure, because I don't have a picture and your description is a little vague, but I believe what you are seeing is a "bald spot" on the abdomen where the spider has kicked off its urticating hairs. As this usually takes a while, I doubt that the tarantula has recently molted. Dealers often leave the previous "skin" in the container with the spider so the buyer can attempt to sex it from the previous molt. This "bald spot" should not be a problem and the hairs will be replaced during its next molt.
PF - 2011-10-12 I'm not an expert yet but if your T has just molted it should not have a bald patch. If your talking about the cephalothorax that is orange, it's maybe a Brachypelma bohemei instead of a Brachypelma smithi. Heres a web site with pictures of Ts, you can look and see if this is what you see on your T: http://www.tarantulacanada.ca/English/English.htm
Good luck! PF
Josh - 2011-10-27 My red knee does the same thing... About 2-3 weeks after she molts the hairs both black and orange fall right off of her. This has happened to me the last three molts. I'm wondering if it's temperature change or tank surroundings?
PF - 2011-11-03 Hello, I know what you are talking about, if you click on the picutre of the Antille pink toe tarantula at the top of this page, does the bald patch look like the bald patch on the T? If yes, all my Ts have that, I thought my rosies had dandruf then I noticed that all my new slings have it, although my Ts still have hair on that spot. I haven't looked into it but I will. Here's a hypothesis: maybe the hairs on this spot has a more irritating effect on the skin since they are rougher and have more barbules. And when they are irritaded, they reach that spot specifically when they flick hairs. Maybe someone has an exact explanation.
PF
PF - 2011-11-03 I got the info. I was looking for and my hypothesis is right. The bald spot on the abdomen is due to the excess hair flicking. That spot contains rougher hairs with barbules that irritates the skin compared to the rest of the body. When a T is really nervous, it will flick it's hairs more up to a point that it becomes simply a bald spot.
Tammy Mansfield - 2010-09-19 I am currently babysitting a Texas Brown for a couple of weeks. I am extremely terrified of spiders but have become quite attached to this little guy. After doing a lot of research on the different species, my husband and I have decided to purchase the Mexican Red Knee. We have it ordered from a local pet shop and will picking it up next week. I can't wait to watch it grow. Thanks to all for sharing your experience with this beautiful spider.
The Mexican Red-kneed Tarantula is a gorgeous, friendly tarantula that's great for beginners!
Hi,my friends Mexican Red Kneed Tarantula she hasn't moved today, but was very active last night. Her legs are not curled under, but are twitching. Does anyone have any advice please.
Hi, I could do with some advice please. I have a 3 year old red knee and she is lovely. I've only had her about a month and she would let me hold her and she was quite happy, but she has now turned. She will flick, hairs and rear up her front legs, and that's only when I change her water bowl. If I try to touch her she runs. She is feeding really well, to well I think as she always eats what I put in her tank x
Could just be a phase for reaching sexual maturity. She also could be starting a major molt although they usually stop eating then. Possible stress - have you moved the enclosure or major temperature change. Anything different?
When my husband got her from the pet shop she was just in a plastic box with a water bowl,but her new tank is all set up right for her. I don't know how long she was in there for or why they got rid of her? Do you think she could be hungry? The first week she ate 10 crickets. I've read that you can over fed them so I haven't feed her this week. thanks for your advice x
The tank you have put her in is not to large is it? We find the mexican can get stressed in large enclosers unlike our white knee and goliath who love to roam round looking for trouble .
No, the tank is quite small and the pet shop recommened it. She just seems to have the hump the whole time, she even reared up when i changed her water the other day, shame as she is so lovely i just wanna hold her,
I also have a 3 year old I've raised from a baby. She hasn't burrowed much at all for a couple molts, but is absolutely lovely about being handled (however stubborn, as she won't move when nudged lol). I have heard of phases sometimes with a tarantula where their attitude has changed. It could be the case here. It could also be that she is hungry and after a meal, and has to adjust to you entering the tank when she is not well fed. I'd also look at where she's at at the time, as some tarantulas can be protective when they're in their burrows. I hope she changes for you, as they are wonderful T's to hold. Just be careful about letting them walk on you when sitting still. My gf did and she mistook her pajamas for soil and tried to dig to safety, at first with her front legs, then her fangs! When my gf reacted she shut her mouth, as if to apologize for the misunderstanding, but it was a close call lol
She has settled down really well and I held her today, she has also grown out of her tank so I've moved her to a bigger one, think she might be getting ready to moult again as she has a bald patch that is turning darker by the day and she hasn't eaten for a few weeks.
I was around several adults and helped care for spiderlings. I encountered creatures that were NOT creepy, crawly but highly evolved, interesting, clean, fun, spiders. They're a big reason we don't have insects up to our neck.
Hi, my mexican redknee has not eaten now for almost 12 months and I am getting quite concerened. She has not molted since I have owned her and that is almost 3 years now. She has a large bald patch on her abdomen, but it is not dark it is an orangey/brown colour? Her setup includes a heatmat, waterdish and tree bark hide with a coconut subtrate which I keep humified. She is pretty small and has gone quite pale in her colourings, when I first got her she was a very bright orange and black. Any suggestions please? - I have spoken with the reptile shop where I brought her form and they say this can be normal????
It isn't all that unusual according to red knee owners. Seriously, many go months without eating. 12 months seems like a long time and I sure don't know how they do it but they seem to be able to. There isn't much you can do about it. Have you tried all the various live insects?
I would be afraid that a Tarantula would not be Satan, based on their behavior after studying them. The key is they are tricksters with their molting. Mickey It's smarter to let the Butterfly Pavillion own them.
Ours has molted for the second time and its f*$*in massive and beautiful can't wait til we get our second tarantula idk what we are getting yet but hopefully a chilian white knee.
If you don't mind getting something a little more fast and skittish, I would recommend a Green Bottle Blue, I have one and it's colors are just beautiful, totally makes up for its attitude. They don't have that bad of an attitude, easy to take care of. And since they are heavy webers they are very fun to watch.
My mexican red-knee has has developed a white patch on its abdomen, have you any ideas what it could be please!
It probably just kicked some hairs while you weren't looking.
Is it possible to breed a pink toe tarantula with a red knee tarantula?
No, they are two separate species, so can't reproduce. Also, they have different breeding habits.
How do you determine a tarantula's gender?
the male will have hooks on the front of his legs you will notice them and they will not shed as much, they will be a little smaller, and they will spin a small area that they sit on like a blanket. They also will tap their front legs. females,they are larger,they spin the webs,thats all I can say about the females I hope that helps you.
You should wait until your spider is a good size. Once it molts spray the molt with a spray bottle until its moist enough so that it will unfold. Then looking at the molt, gently spread out the outer layer of the abdoman that would be the spiders tummy. The 2 white sacks are their book lungs. It's how they breath. The best way to tell if its a female or male is right in between the book lungs. There should be a large slit, an opening that if you were to take a toothpick you would be able to easily insert it into this slit and see it slide right through the skin and out the other side. This is characteristic is strickly FEMALE, its how she collects the male sperm. A male spider will not have this slit! Best to wait until your spider molts. Check youTube for a step by step video of this process!
I have just, today, purchased a mexican red knee. It is my first tarantula but my dad had one when I was really little. Due to it being a private sale, there was little information given out. She appears to have just molted as there was a skin in her tank. However, at the base of the abdomen, is an orange patch which should be black and has no hair on it. Should I be concerned or will this change as she appears to have just molted?
I can't say for sure, because I don't have a picture and your description is a little vague, but I believe what you are seeing is a "bald spot" on the abdomen where the spider has kicked off its urticating hairs. As this usually takes a while, I doubt that the tarantula has recently molted. Dealers often leave the previous "skin" in the container with the spider so the buyer can attempt to sex it from the previous molt. This "bald spot" should not be a problem and the hairs will be replaced during its next molt.
I'm not an expert yet but if your T has just molted it should not have a bald patch. If your talking about the cephalothorax that is orange, it's maybe a Brachypelma bohemei instead of a Brachypelma smithi. Heres a web site with pictures of Ts, you can look and see if this is what you see on your T: http://www.tarantulacanada.ca/English/English.htm
Good luck!
PF
My red knee does the same thing... About 2-3 weeks after she molts the hairs both black and orange fall right off of her. This has happened to me the last three molts. I'm wondering if it's temperature change or tank surroundings?
Hello, I know what you are talking about, if you click on the picutre of the Antille pink toe tarantula at the top of this page, does the bald patch look like the bald patch on the T? If yes, all my Ts have that, I thought my rosies had dandruf then I noticed that all my new slings have it, although my Ts still have hair on that spot. I haven't looked into it but I will. Here's a hypothesis: maybe the hairs on this spot has a more irritating effect on the skin since they are rougher and have more barbules. And when they are irritaded, they reach that spot specifically when they flick hairs. Maybe someone has an exact explanation.
PF
I got the info. I was looking for and my hypothesis is right. The bald spot on the abdomen is due to the excess hair flicking. That spot contains rougher hairs with barbules that irritates the skin compared to the rest of the body. When a T is really nervous, it will flick it's hairs more up to a point that it becomes simply a bald spot.
I am currently babysitting a Texas Brown for a couple of weeks. I am extremely terrified of spiders but have become quite attached to this little guy. After doing a lot of research on the different species, my husband and I have decided to purchase the Mexican Red Knee. We have it ordered from a local pet shop and will picking it up next week. I can't wait to watch it grow. Thanks to all for sharing your experience with this beautiful spider.