How difficult is it to keep Mexican Flame Knee?

Beginner. This is a beginner-friendly species. No special equipment or experience is required, and it can be kept successfully with basic care setup.

How large does Mexican Flame Knee get?

Mexican Flame Knee typically reaches Body length about 4.5-6cm with legs up to 7cm (range for larger Brachypelma species) as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.

What should I feed Mexican Flame Knee?

Mexican Flame Knee feeds on: Live insects such as crickets. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.

What is the typical price for Mexican Flame Knee?

The price of Mexican Flame Knee varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Mexican Flame Knee

Q: What is the lifespan of Mexican Flame Knee?

The average lifespan of Mexican Flame Knee is Females take 9-10 years to mature in the wild and can then live about another 10 (figures for the genus Brachypelma). With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.

Beginner

Brachypelma auratum

A tarantula endemic to the Mexican states of Guerrero and Michoacan. It resembles the Mexican red knee but is darker, and the red striations on its patellae suggest a flame, hence the name flame knee.

Difficulty

Beginner

Lifespan

Females take 9-10 years to mature in the wild and can then live about another 10 (figures for the genus Brachypelma)

Size

Body length about 4.5-6cm with legs up to 7cm (range for larger Brachypelma species)

Diet

Live insects such as crickets

About

The Mexican flame knee (Brachypelma auratum) is a theraphosid tarantula endemic to the Mexican states of Guerrero and Michoacan. It looks much like B. smithi, the classic Mexican red knee, but is darker overall, with finer, sharper red striations on the patellae. Those markings suggest a flame and give the spider its common name. Because it is so similar to B. smithi it was not recognised as a distinct species until 1992. In the wild it has been found living communally with a small frog, Eleutherodactylus occidentalis. Brachypelma species are known as docile tarantulas that are easy to keep in a terrarium, and the females are long-lived: in the wild they take 9-10 years to mature and can then live about another ten. Collection for the pet trade and habitat destruction have put every species in the genus on CITES Appendix II.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Lifespan of the Mexican Flame Knee

The Mexican Flame Knee lives Females take 9-10 years to mature in the wild and can then live about another 10 (figures for the genus Brachypelma).

Size of the Mexican Flame Knee

The Mexican Flame Knee grows to Body length about 4.5-6cm with legs up to 7cm (range for larger Brachypelma species).

Basic Info

Origin

Mexico (states of Guerrero and Michoacan)

Lifespan

Females take 9-10 years to mature in the wild and can then live about another 10 (figures for the genus Brachypelma)

Size

Body length about 4.5-6cm with legs up to 7cm (range for larger Brachypelma species)

Care Specifications

PeacefulSolitary

Sources: Wikipedia: Brachypelma auratum / Wikipedia: Brachypelma (genus; morphology and captivity) / GBIF Brachypelma auratum

References & Sources

Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team

The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.

Primary sources

Taxonomy & Authority

Accepted name: Brachypelma auratum Schmidt, 1992

Authority databases: GBIF

Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.

Regulations & Conservation Status

CITES Appendix II

Brachypelma smithi (then not distinguished from B. hamorii) was placed on CITES Appendix II in 1985, and all remaining Brachypelma species were added in 1994.

Sources: CITES Appendices (Brachypelma spp., Appendix II) / Wikipedia: Brachypelma (conservation and CITES)

Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.