Brachypelma auratum also known as Mexican Flame Knee tarantula

The Brachypelma auratum, also known as the Mexican Flame Knee tarantula, is a striking and beloved tarantula in the hobby due to its stunning appearance and ease of care. This New World terrestrial tarantula is native to the savanna and scrubland regions of Guerrero and Michoacan in Mexico. Schmidt described this species in 1992, previously considered a subspecies of Brachypelma smithi.

Info Overview

Genus: Brachypelma
Species: auratum
Common Name: The Mexican Flame Knee Tarantula
Living Height: Terrestrial
Urticating Hairs: Yes
World Type: New World
World Location: Guerrero and Michogan regions of Mexico
Leg Span (DLS): 5.5” (14cm)
Life Span: F: 25 to 30 years M: up to 10 years
Growth Rate: Slow
Keeper Level: Beginner

Environment

Sadly, Brachypelma auratum is listed as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to habitat destruction caused by farming and ranching, hunting, trapping for the pet trade, and people killing them when they are seen. However, the captive breeding of this species in countries around the world has helped reduce the demand for wild-caught specimens, leading to a decline in hunting and trapping.

Enclosure

As for their care, Brachypelma auratum is hardy and easy to keep. For spiderlings, it’s best to use shallow, rectangular enclosures filled with substrate, a hide, and a small water dish. This species likes to burrow, so providing enough depth for them to do so is important. For adults, it’s best to keep them in a 2.5-5 gallon aquarium with a tight-fitting lid and provide them with a cork bark hide, water dish, and substrate like coco fiber or jungle mix.

Although the venom of the Brachypelma auratum is not medically significant, they do have urticating hairs that can cause irritation and rash if they come in contact with your skin. To avoid this, it’s important to avoid contact with the tarantula’s urticating hairs and to always wash your hands after interacting with any New World tarantulas that possess them.

Feeding

Brachypelma auratum is relatively easy in terms of feeding. Spiderlings can be fed under 0.5” flightless fruit flies or confused flour beetles twice a week, or pre-killed pinhead crickets or roaches dropped near the mouth of their burrow. As they grow, they can be fed pinhead or very small crickets or roaches once a week, with the amount depending on the size of their abdomen. Uneaten prey should be removed 24 hours after feeding.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Brachypelma auratum is a beautiful and easy-to-care-for tarantula species that deserves our protection and conservation efforts. By understanding their natural behaviors and habitat requirements, we can provide the best care for these fascinating creatures while also working to preserve their populations in the wild.