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 Mexcan 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
- ↑ [http://www.arkive.org/mex
can-redleg-tarantula/brachypelma-emilia/ "Mexican redleg tarantula (Brachypelma emilia)"] Check
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