Mexican Redknee Tarantula
Brachypelma smithi
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Range and habitat:
Mexican redknee tarantulas are found along the
central Pacific coast of Mexico, from southern coastal Jalisco to north-western
Oaxaca State and inland to the states of Mexico and Morelos.
Natural diet:
This species of tarantual is known to feed on
insects, spiders, small lizards and small mammals.
Size / weight range:
An adult female Mexican redknee tarantula
has a body that's roughly 4 inches (10 cm) long, with a leg span of 6–7
inches (15 to 18 cm).
Interesting facts:
Although the Mexican redknee tarantula
has eight eyes on top of its carapace, it locates its prey with special
hairs on its legs. These hairs detect vibrations given off by the movement
of its prey.
The Mexican redknee tarantula is classified as Lower Risk / Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List 2007 under the name Euathlus smithi, and it is listed on Appendix II of CITES
Location at The Toledo Zoo:
The Crawlspace exhibit, located in the Museum
of Science (currently off exhibit, but other species of tarantula are visible in the exhibit)
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