Brachypelma emilia

Brachypelma emilia
Mexican redleg tarantula
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Family:	Theraphosidae
Genus:	Brachypelma
Species:	B. emilia
Binomial name
Brachypelma emilia White, 1856
Distribution of B. emilia.

The Mexican redleg or red-legged tarantula (Brachypelma emilia or Euathlus emilia) is a species of terrestrial tarantula closely related to the famous mexican redknee tarantula. Like the redknee it is a docile tarantula and popular in the pet trade. It is slow growing and, like many tarantulas, females can live for decades.

Description

The Mexican redleg also known as the red-legged tarantula has a dark-colored body with the second joint of its legs being pink, red or orange. Its carapace is light colored with a distinctive black triangle at the front. Following moulting, the colors are more pronounced.

An adult female has a body roughly 4 inches (10 cm) long, with a legspan of 6 inches (15 cm), and a weight of approximately 15 to 16 grams.

In captivity

The Mexican redleg is a mostly docile species, perhaps more so even than the redknee. That, coupled with its coloration, and impressive size, makes it a very popular pet species. As such it is considered to be threatened by capture for sale to the pet trade. ^[1]l

It is very reluctant to bite when distressed, but possesses urticating hair and will flick these if it feels threatened.

References