• A mature female Brachypelma hamorii, a tarantula species known as the Mexican red knee tarantula, poses on sandy clay.
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Buddha Bugs

Brachypelma hamorii (Mexican red knee tarantula) 0.5"

Brachypelma hamorii (Mexican red knee tarantula) 0.5"

$45.00 USD
$45.00 USD
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Before ordering: Unless marked “exact animal pictured,” photos are representative; refer to the product title or selected option for the size or sex offered. Shipped live-animal orders require a $50 cart subtotal and are normally held for pickup at an authorized FedEx Ship Center. Please review our Shipping & Live Arrival and Refund & Cancellation policies before purchasing.

Species Overview

Brachypelma hamorii, commonly known as the Mexican red knee tarantula, is a large terrestrial tarantula endemic to western Mexico. Mature females have a robust build and a black abdomen clothed in long coppery, reddish-brown, or pale peach-colored hairs. The carapace varies from predominantly black with a brownish-pink border to a broad golden-peach or pale orange outer field surrounding a central area ranging from dark brown to black. The dorsal surfaces of the chelicerae are light gray and typically display paired brownish-pink bands. The legs and pedipalps are predominantly velvety black. The patellae bear vivid orange flame-shaped fields adjoining paler peach to orange-yellow distal fields, while similar pale coloration occurs on the distal portions of the tibiae and forms bands near the ends of the metatarsi. Long whitish-gray lateral setae create strong contrast against the darker leg segments. Mature males are slimmer and proportionally longer-legged, with a lighter grayish-red to orange border surrounding the darker central area of the carapace.

In captivity, B. hamorii readily excavates or establishes a retreat beneath cork bark and other enclosure décor. Settled individuals frequently remain visible but may spend extended periods concealed within their retreats, particularly during premolt. Growth is slow, and juveniles and adults may refuse food for prolonged periods without experiencing a decline in body condition. Although generally calm and deliberate, individuals may retreat quickly when disturbed and can flick urticating hairs defensively.

  • Common Name: Mexican red knee tarantula
  • Native Range: Colima, southern Jalisco, and the northwestern coast of Michoacán, Mexico
  • Life Habit: Terrestrial burrower
  • Adult Size: 6–7 inches in diagonal leg span
  • Lifespan: Males 5–8 years; females 20–30+ years under optimal conditions
  • Temperament: Generally calm but may flick urticating hairs
  • Care Difficulty: Easy

Brachypelma hamorii Care

Brachypelma hamorii is a hardy, slow-growing terrestrial species that thrives in a predominantly dry setup with deep substrate and access to a localized humidity gradient. Climbing height should remain limited, particularly for larger specimens, because their heavy build makes falls potentially dangerous. Extended periods of food refusal are common and generally not concerning when the animal remains well hydrated and maintains appropriate body condition.

  • Enclosure: 1 oz condiment cup or equivalent for spiderlings, upgraded as needed with growth; 14” x 10” x 8” or larger terrestrial enclosure for adults
  • Substrate: Provide sufficient depth of moisture-retentive substrate to accommodate excavation and minimize vertical fall distance. Coconut fiber, peat moss, topsoil, and similar substrates work well. Cork bark or similar enclosure décor can be partially buried to provide a starter retreat.
  • Temperature: 72–82°F
  • Humidity: Moderate ambient humidity is generally sufficient. Approximately 25–50% of the substrate should retain moisture to provide a humidity gradient while allowing the remaining substrate to stay drier. Very small spiderlings should not be allowed to dry out completely, but consistently wet or saturated conditions should also be avoided.
  • Diet: Fruit flies, crickets, cockroaches, and other appropriately sized feeder insects
  • Feeding: Spiderlings can be offered appropriately sized prey once or twice weekly. Juveniles and adults are typically fed every 7–14 days, with feeding frequency adjusted based on prey size, growth rate, and the condition of the individual animal.
  • Water: Lightly moisten part of the substrate as needed and provide water droplets on the enclosure walls for spiderlings; juveniles and adults should have access to a water dish.
  • Routine Maintenance: Remove uneaten prey, monitor moisture levels, and spot-clean when necessary.

Natural History

Brachypelma hamorii was described by Tesmoingt, Cleton, and Verdez in 1997 from specimens obtained through the pet trade, without a precise type locality. The original type specimens were never deposited in a museum and are considered lost. For many years, specimens now recognized as B. hamorii were widely identified as B. smithi throughout the hobby and in published sources. A 2017 systematic revision designated a neotype from Tecomán, Colima, and clarified the identities of both species using coloration and patterning, adult reproductive morphology, and COI DNA barcodes. It confirmed B. hamorii from southern Jalisco, Colima, and the northwestern coast of Michoacán, while true B. smithi occurs along Guerrero's Pacific coast. The Balsas River basin appears to form a major geographic barrier between their known distributions.

Despite this clarification, B. hamorii continues to be mislabeled and sold within the hobby as B. smithi. Consequently, incorrectly identified animals have been paired, resulting in hybridization within captive collections. This has introduced additional uncertainty into some captive lineages and makes accurate labeling and breeding records especially important.

Pure B. hamorii and B. smithi can be differentiated by coloration and patterning alone when the complete combination of characters is considered. Brachypelma hamorii typically displays paired brownish-pink cheliceral bands, a comparatively subdued orange patellar flame bordered by diffuse orange or black setae, black sides to the patellae, a characteristic carapace pattern, and strongly contrasting whitish lateral leg setae. Brachypelma smithi lacks the paired cheliceral bands, typically has a brighter patellar flame and yellowish-orange sides to the patellae, and bears comparatively yellowish lateral leg setae. Examination of the male palpal bulbs or female spermathecae, together with molecular evidence, provides the strongest confirmation of species identity. Because COI is mitochondrial and normally maternally inherited, however, COI barcoding alone cannot reliably exclude hybrid ancestry.

Brachypelma hamorii inhabits subtropical dry forest from the Pacific coastal lowlands into the foothills farther inland. Much of this region consists of thorn forest and deciduous secondary forest, and the species appears to favor shaded areas beneath trees or bushes, sometimes near seasonal watercourses. Individuals excavate their own burrows or modify natural cavities beneath fallen logs, large rocks, and tree roots among thorny vegetation and tall grass. Burrow entrances typically lack conspicuous silk. These tarantulas remain sheltered during the day and wait near their retreats after dark to ambush passing arthropod prey.

The mating season occurs primarily during the latter portion of the rainy season and the beginning of the dry season, from approximately August through January, when mature males leave their retreats and wander in search of females. Egg sacs are produced during the drier winter months, with spiderlings emerging and dispersing before the onset of the following rainy season.

The species is assessed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is included in CITES Appendix II. Habitat loss associated with urban development, agriculture, and road construction has fragmented portions of its native range. Roads also create barriers between populations and cause mortality among wandering mature males. Illegal collection for the pet trade continues to place additional pressure on some wild populations, reinforcing the importance of accurately identified, responsibly maintained captive lineages.

Shipping

Shipping method for live animal orders:

Orders containing live animals must have a subtotal of at least $50 to qualify for shipping.

For orders containing live animals, we ship throughout the continental U.S. (48 states) via FedEx Priority Overnight. Orders containing both live and non-live products may be shipped together or separately, depending on the items in the order, their sizes, and whether everything can fit safely in one shipment. When non-live products must be shipped separately by USPS, additional shipping charges will apply.

Live-animal packages are normally dropped off on Tuesdays or Wednesdays for next-day arrival. By default, packages are held for pickup at the nearest reasonably accessible FedEx Ship Center authorized to accept the shipment and must be collected in person.

Home delivery is available upon request. When a reasonably accessible authorized FedEx Ship Center is available, customer-requested home delivery is not eligible for our live arrival guarantee and is sent at the customer’s risk.

FedEx Ship Center availability varies by destination, and not every FedEx location is authorized to accept live-animal shipments. If no reasonably accessible authorized FedEx Ship Center is available, we will contact the customer and arrange home delivery. In this circumstance, home delivery remains eligible for LAG, provided all other LAG requirements are met.

Checkout shipping rates and free-shipping offers are based on FedEx Ship Center pickup. Any additional amount charged for home delivery is the customer’s responsibility and must be paid before shipment. For qualifying orders, free shipping covers standard Ship Center service but not any additional home-delivery cost. If no reasonably accessible authorized Ship Center is available and the customer declines the additional charge, the affected portion of the order—or the entire order when necessary—may be canceled without the standard cancellation fee.

We also offer expo pickup and a DFW local-meetup option. Please see our Expo Schedule for additional information.

Shipping method for non-live orders:

For shipments containing no live animals, shipping is available to all 50 states via USPS Ground Advantage or USPS Priority Mail. We will ship non-live orders directly to the address listed on the order, typically the day the order is placed or the following day. 

What to expect after placing an order:

If your order contains live animals that will be shipped, we will contact you within 12 hours with a proposed delivery date and, when applicable, the FedEx Ship Center pickup location. If home delivery is requested or required, we will provide the delivery arrangements and any additional shipping charge. We will not ship the package until you confirm the arrangements and any outstanding shipping balance has been paid. Tracking information will be provided on the day of shipment.

Shipping may be delayed because of weather, carrier conditions, our schedule, or if an animal has recently molted or appears likely to molt. We will notify you if a delay is necessary and arrange another suitable date.

Carrier delays can occur. Customers remain responsible for meeting the applicable pickup or receipt requirements on the day the package actually arrives, even if it arrives later than originally scheduled.

Live Arrival Guarantee (LAG):

Buddha Bugs offers a live arrival guarantee only when all of the following conditions are met:

  • Freebies are not covered by LAG.
  • When a reasonably accessible FedEx Ship Center authorized to accept the shipment is available, the package must be held for pickup at that location.
  • If no such location is available, we will arrange home delivery. In this circumstance, home delivery remains eligible for LAG, provided all other requirements are met.
  • Packages held at a FedEx Ship Center must be picked up on the day they arrive. Pickup at any time during the location’s regular opening hours is acceptable. Please bring valid identification.
  • In the unlikely event of a DOA, the customer must contact us and provide clear photographic or video evidence within three hours of FedEx Ship Center pickup—or within three hours of delivery when an LAG-eligible home delivery applies.
  • Shipping costs are not refunded, and replacements may not always be available.

ANY DEVIATION FROM THESE REQUIREMENTS MAY VOID THE LAG.

Home delivery is available upon request. When a reasonably accessible FedEx Ship Center authorized to accept the shipment is available, customer-requested home delivery is not eligible for LAG and is sent at the customer’s risk. When no such location is available, home delivery arranged by Buddha Bugs is eligible for LAG, provided all other requirements are met.

For animal safety, we do not ship live animals for home delivery when temperatures are 90°F or higher or 35°F or lower, regardless of whether the shipment would otherwise qualify for LAG.

FedEx does not reimburse Buddha Bugs for lost packages or the loss of live animals. We take every reasonable precaution to give each shipment the best chance of arriving safely.

Returns & Refunds

Returns & Refunds:

We DO NOT accept returns on live animals.

You may return non-live animal products for a refund within 14 days of delivery. The product must be unused and in its original packaging. After we receive your return, we will process refunds within 5-10 business days. Refunds will not include shipping costs. We will reject used products and, when possible, ship them back to the customer. 

If an animal arrives deceased, contact us within the required three-hour period and provide clear photographic or video evidence. When all live arrival guarantee requirements are met, we will provide the applicable refund or arrange a replacement when available. Multi-count products are handled according to the number of live animals received. Shipping costs and freebies are not covered. Please review our Shipping & Live Arrival Policy for complete requirements.

For online purchases with local pickup, pickup at a show, or for purchases made at a show, the customer is responsible for inspecting the purchased items and verifying that they are to their satisfaction. If they are not, they must express any dissatisfaction before the sale is completed, as all sales are final. We are not liable for damages after the customer receives their items due to issues including but not limited to the customer mishandling transport and/or overheating animals. 

Cancellations:

Customer-requested cancellations are subject to an approximately 3% cancellation fee. For card payments, the fee is 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction; different payment methods may have slightly higher or lower fee amounts. This reflects the nonrecoverable payment-processing cost charged when the order is placed and not returned to us when a refund is issued. Canceling an order also creates additional labor and temporarily removes inventory from availability, so please make sure you are committed before placing an order.

If a product is unavailable because of an inventory error, we will contact the customer and offer to cancel the affected product or the complete order without a cancellation fee.

If we determine after an order is placed that no reasonably accessible FedEx Ship Center authorized to accept the shipment is available, we will contact the customer with any additional cost required for home delivery. If the customer declines that additional charge, the affected portion of the order—or the entire order when necessary—may be canceled without the standard cancellation fee.

Certain ESA-listed Poecilotheria species cannot be shipped across state lines and are clearly marked “TX SALES ONLY” in their product titles and descriptions. If a customer outside Texas purchases one of these animals, the restricted portion of the order—or the entire order when necessary—will be canceled. The approximately 3% cancellation fee will be deducted from the refund because the restriction was disclosed before purchase. Refunds will be issued to the original payment method, but the time required for the credit to appear depends on the payment provider.

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