Mexican red-kneed tarantula

Love spiders? Visit our Mexican red-kneed tarantulas in our Tiny Giants area at London Zoo.

What do Mexican red-kneed tarantulas look like?

When fully grown, these spiders have a dark-coloured body with orange patches on the joints of their legs, giving them the name of a red-kneed tarantula. Like other arthropods, the red-kneed spider must shed its skin in order to grow as its exoskeleton can't stretch.

What do Mexican red-kneed tarantulas eat?

Red-kneed tarantulas are carnivores and prey on other animals, including insects, small mammals, birds and reptiles.

Where do Mexican red-kneed spiders live? 

The Mexican red-kneed tarantula is native to the western faces of the Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre del Sur mountain ranges in Mexico. 

What threats do Mexican tarantulas face?

 Mexican red-kneed tarantulas are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN red list of threatened species, and they are poached unsustainably for the pet trade.  A study made in collaboration with ZSL, also found they are threatened by habitat loss, mostly due to urban development. The growing number of roads being built presents a deadly obstacle for wandering males looking for a partner, and is contributing to population fragmentation. 

Spider facts:

• Female Mexican red-kneed tarantulas can live for up to 30 years, but the males tend to only live to around five. 
• These spiders are extremely docile, preferring to avoid conflict with intruders. If harassed, the tarantula will kick urticating hairs at the threat, causing irritation in the eyes and throat.