If you’re thinking about keeping your very first tarantula, the Mexican Red Knee Tarantula (Brachypelma hamorii) is one of the best species to start with. Famous for its striking orange-red knees, calm nature and impressive lifespan, it’s a favourite among beginners and experienced keepers alike.

Although they may look intimidating, Mexican Red Knees are generally slow-moving, hardy spiders that are relatively easy to care for when their basic needs are met. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to help your new tarantula thrive.

Why Choose a Mexican Red Knee Tarantula?

There are hundreds of tarantula species in the hobby, but few are as beginner-friendly as the Mexican Red Knee. They are popular because they are:

• Calm and generally docile (although every individual has its own personality).
• Slow-moving, making them easier to observe.
• Hardy and forgiving of minor husbandry mistakes.
• Beautifully coloured with vibrant orange-red leg joints.
• Long-lived, with females often living 20–30 years or even longer, while males typically live around 5–8 years.

Because of their long lifespan, owning a female should be considered a long-term commitment.

Choosing a Healthy Tarantula

Whenever possible, purchase a captive-bred Mexican Red Knee from a reputable breeder or specialist. Wild-caught specimens are not only less desirable from a conservation perspective but can also carry parasites and experience greater stress. This species is protected under CITES, making captive-bred animals the ethical choice.

Healthy tarantulas should have:

• All eight legs present.
• A full, rounded abdomen.
• Bright colours.
• Calm, coordinated movement.
• No obvious injuries or mites.

The Ideal Enclosure

Mexican Red Knees are terrestrial tarantulas, meaning they spend most of their lives on the ground rather than climbing.

A simple enclosure works perfectly:

• A plastic or glass enclosure with good cross ventilation.
• Plenty of floor space rather than height.
• A secure, escape-proof lid.
• Low climbing opportunities to reduce the risk of dangerous falls.

As a general guide, the enclosure should be around three times the spider’s leg span in length and about twice its width.

Choosing the Right Substrate

The substrate is one of the most important parts of the enclosure.

A good choice includes:

• Coconut fibre (coir)
• Topsoil free from fertilisers and pesticides
• A mixture of both

Provide at least 8–10 cm of substrate for adults, allowing natural digging behaviour.

The substrate should remain mostly dry, with only one area receiving occasional light moisture if necessary.

Temperature and Humidity

Unlike many tropical species, Mexican Red Knees come from relatively dry environments.

Aim for:

• Temperature: 22–26°C
• Humidity: Moderate (around 60–70%), achieved mainly through a water dish rather than constant misting.

In most UK homes, additional heating is unnecessary if room temperatures stay within this range.

Always use a thermometer to monitor conditions.

Hides and Decorations

Your tarantula will appreciate somewhere to retreat.

Good options include:

• Cork bark
• Half flower pots
• Curved pieces of bark
• Artificial plants for cover

Although decorations improve the enclosure’s appearance, your spider will probably spend much of its time sitting quietly near its hide.

Feeding Your Mexican Red Knee

Mexican Red Knees are carnivorous and enjoy a diet of live insects.

Suitable food includes:

• Crickets
• Dubia roaches
• Locusts
• Mealworms (occasionally)

Juveniles can usually be fed once every 5–7 days.

Adults generally eat every 10–14 days.

Choose prey that is no larger than your tarantula’s abdomen.

Always remove uneaten live prey within 24 hours, especially if your spider is preparing to moult, as insects can injure a vulnerable tarantula.

Water

Fresh drinking water should always be available.

A shallow water dish is ideal for juvenile and adult spiders.

Clean and refill it regularly to prevent bacteria from building up.

Understanding Moulting

Tarantulas grow by shedding their exoskeleton.

Before a moult, you may notice:

• Refusal to eat.
• Reduced activity.
• Darkening of the abdomen.
• Spending more time inside the hide.

During the moult, your tarantula may lie on its back. This is completely normal and not a sign that it has died.

Never disturb or handle a moulting tarantula.

Wait several days after moulting before offering food so the new exoskeleton has time to harden.

Can You Handle a Mexican Red Knee?

Although Mexican Red Knees are often described as calm, they are display animals rather than handling pets.

Handling carries risks for both you and the spider:

• A fall of only a short distance can seriously injure or kill the tarantula.
• They may flick irritating urticating hairs when stressed.
• While bites are uncommon, they can occur if the spider feels threatened.

If you do choose to handle one, keep it infrequent, gentle and close to a soft surface.

Common Beginner Mistakes

Many new keepers make the same simple mistakes.

Try to avoid:

• Overfeeding.
• Keeping the enclosure too wet.
• Using an enclosure that’s too tall.
• Handling too often.
• Leaving live prey with a moulting spider.
• Constantly disturbing the enclosure.

Remember, tarantulas spend much of their lives doing very little. A spider sitting still is usually a perfectly healthy spider.

Is a Mexican Red Knee the Right Pet for You?

If you’re looking for a fascinating pet that’s quiet, low maintenance and rewarding to observe, it’s difficult to beat the Mexican Red Knee Tarantula.

With the correct enclosure, suitable temperatures and a steady supply of live food, they are among the easiest tarantulas for beginners to care for.

They may not enjoy cuddles, but watching their natural behaviours—from hunting to webbing and moulting—makes them one of the most captivating invertebrates you can keep.

Whether you’re taking your first step into the world of tarantulas or simply looking for a stunning species to admire, the Mexican Red Knee remains one of the hobby’s true classics.