Mexican Redknee Tarantula

The Mexican Redknee tarantula is large in size.  They can grow to sizes of 5 to 5 1/2 inches in length.  That is about the size of a dollar bill.  The average weight of 15 grams.  There average lifespan is about 20 years.  They mature relatively slowly compared to other tarantulas.

These tarantulas are usually found in the Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre de Sur mountain ranges in Mexico. 

They are mostly brownish-black in color but have reddish-orange patches at the knees- hence the name.  Their color is more vivid after they molt.  They usually molt annually until they mature.

The Redknee tarantula kick special hair, called urticating hairs when they feel disturbed.  They would rather do this than bite.  This tarantula i not venomous to humans, so they are easily handled in captivity.

Redknee tarantulas live in burrows.  These burrows allow them to hide from predators and to ambush prey.  Their burrows have a single entrance, only a little bigger than its body.  The tunnel is about three times the size of the tarantula.  The entrance of the tunnel could be sealed if the tarantula needed privacy, such as when they molted.

The Mexican Redknee tarantula is a threatened species.  They are threatened due to excess export.  People who live near the tarantulas' burrows are afraid of them and made a nasty habit of killing them.  I think that is is inhumane to kill something just because you are afraid of it.  If I were one of the people who lived near the burrows I would just leave them alone.  They don't harm them and are not a treat to anyone.  What would you do?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_redknee_tarantula
http://www.oaklandzoo.org/animals/arthropods/mexican-red-knee-tarantula/