Mexican flame knee tarantula (Brachypelma auratum)

Short answers

Mexican flame knee tarantula: How big does the enclosure need to be?

30×30×30 cm.

Mexican flame knee tarantula: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Mexican flame knee tarantula: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed (nocturnal).

Mexican flame knee tarantula: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: females 20–25 years, males 5–6 years.

Mexican flame knee tarantula: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

50–60 % (rather dry)

UVB

No UVB needed (nocturnal)

Enclosure

Minimum size

30×30×30 cm

Substrate

A coco or soil and sand mix (about 1:1), mostly dry, 6–10 cm; a cork hide

Feeding

Food

Insects (house crickets, roaches, crickets)

Feeding interval

adults every 1–2 weeks, juveniles 2×/week

Key facts

Adult size

13–15 cm leg span

Life expectancy

females 20–25 years, males 5–6 years

Origin

Mexico (the Pacific coast, Guerrero / Michoacán), arid regions

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B (the whole genus Brachypelma) – proof of origin required (the proof requirement under the German Federal Species Protection Ordinance)

Brumation

None (a slight seasonal drop in temperature is possible, but not essential)

Cohabitation

Keep them singly. Solitary and cannibalistic – keep them on their own. The reason is not fighting but feeding: these animals take anything that fits in the mouth, and a second animal in the enclosure counts.

Notes

A robust, long-lived ground species with striking "flame knees". A New World species with urticating hairs – when disturbed it can shed hairs freely, and it is somewhat more nervous than B. hamorii. Keep it dry with a water dish; no waterlogging.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

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Related species

• Mexican red-knee tarantula (Brachypelma smithii) – Beginner
• Mexican golden red rump tarantula (Brachypelma albiceps) – Beginner
• Mexican pink tarantula (Brachypelma boehmei) – Beginner
• Mexican pink tarantula (Brachypelma emilia) – Beginner
• Mexican pink tarantula (Brachypelma klaasi) – Beginner
• Mexican red-knee tarantula (Brachypelma hamorii) – Beginner
• Amazon birdeater (Iridopelma hirsutum) – Intermediate
• Arizona blonde tarantula (Aphonopelma chalcodes) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Mexican flame knee tarantula (Brachypelma auratum) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (30×30×30 cm), substrate (A coco or soil and sand mix (about 1:1), mostly dry, 6–10 cm; a cork hide), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.