Brachypelma smithi female • 1 1/2 – 2″ (Mexican giant orange knee)

Description

Listed for sale is a juvenile female Brachypelma smithi. Until recently, Brachypelma smithi was called B. annitha. And Brachypelma hamorii was B. smithi! Scientific confusion between these two species was longstanding.

Orange and black tend to be brighter and contrast more clearly on the legs of B. smithi. Other reported differences exist of course.

Keeping requirements for this juvenile B. smithi are simple. Choose a container of about 500cc. Use slightly dry substrate and  room temperature (68-72F). Higher temperatures up to 80F are fine. Even 85F is probably fine as long as one attends to faster water evaporation. A water dish will allow her to take sips of water as she pleases. Limit ventilation enough to allow a bit of humidity to build. Although B. smithi is an inhabitant of central Mexican dry scrub, juveniles are still subject to dehydration at typical US room humidity (50% RH).

As she goes through further instars she’ll become more drought tolerant. You can shift to drier substrate and liberalize ventilation.

Photos: 1-one of the specimens for sale; 2-recently sold sibling; 3-adult female (courtesy Dr. Jorge Mendoza); 4-stock image

Care highlights:

• slightly dry substrate +/- water dish
• modest ventilation
• room temperature (68-72F) up to 80F
• consider a hide, forest litter and plantings for enrichment
• later instars will be more drought tolerant