While most stick to cats, dogs, and the like, some take the adventurous route. These people choose small wild creatures as pets. Such odd creatures might faze some people, but not their proud owners. They blur the line between the wild and the domestic.
One such exotic pet that has high demand is the Mexican Red-Knee Tarantula. These spiders have a fan following because of their unique characteristics. They can be good pets provided they are cared for properly.
How to Be Your Spider’s Superhero
Caring for exotic pets like the Mexican Red-Knee Tarantula is an exhaustive process. Unlike domesticated animals, they cannot adjust to a homely environment. Replicating its natural living conditions to the maximum extent possible is mandatory.
Precautions to keep it safe against injuries that could kill it must also be taken by you. You can find more information about their housing and food habits at platforms like https://www.topflightdubia.com/mexican-red-knee-tarantula.
Some Background
You must know about its natural living conditions and behavior to understand it well. The spider comes from Mexico’s Pacific Coast. There are two variants of these: Brachypelma hamorii and Brachypelma smithi. They both have the distinguishable red coloring on their knees that gives them their name.
They are very mild-mannered and docile creatures who live long. The females last 20 to 30 years, while the males live for around 10. They move slowly and are not against being handled often.
Potential Causes of Injury
These spiders have an exoskeleton that protects them against physical injury. However, it isn’t strong enough to protect it from falls of a few feet in height. They are very prone to dehydration due to their requirement of higher humidity than other spiders.
They undergo annual molting, during which they shed their old exoskeleton for a new one. This process takes days, and it won’t eat or drink in the days leading to, during, and after it. The newly emerged spider must not be touched, as its new exoskeleton would not be hard yet. You could injure and even kill it.
Safe Keeping Solutions
Ideally, the spider should reside in a tank whose width is three times that of the spider’s leg span. Its height must not be over the spider’s leg span if it stood on its end, so a 20-gallon tank should do. It must also have a single point of entry/exit. Since these creatures like to hang from the roof, you could accidentally make the fall from great heights if you can remove the tank’s top.
The bedding must be soft to cushion any impact and loose to allow for burrowing, which these spiders like to do. It must be at least 4 inches thick. Objects like wood, tiny flower pot, or cork bark help provide places for it to hide. Some plants from their natural habitat will make it feel like home and reduce its stress.
The temperature must be kept constant at around 75-80 deg Fahrenheit as it comforts the spider. The tank must also have a cool spot for it to go and cool itself. The humidity must be around 60-70%. If the spider is hanging above the water bowl, but not touching it, it could be a sign of a dry environment. To rehydrate, place in a cup with wet tissue underneath it.
Pets come in all shapes and sizes, and the ones like Mexican Red-Knee Tarantula proves it. With good care and safekeeping, you will enjoy its company for years.