Brachypelma emilia (Mexican Red Leg)

Meet the Mexican Redleg Tarantula, a charming spider with striking reddish-brown legs and a bold black triangle on its carapace. Native to Mexico’s Pacific scrublands, this friendly, slow-growing tarantula is perfect for beginners. With a long lifespan—females can live up to 25 years—it’s a captivating and low-maintenance addition to your collection. Though it sports urticating hairs, its mild venom means it’s all about the attitude, not danger.

In the wild, Brachypelma emilia is found in the savanna and scrublands of Mexico, where it takes refuge in underground burrows at the base of trees or in abandoned nests. In captivity, replicating these conditions is key: the enclosure should provide ample, deep substrate for natural burrowing while being wider than it is tall to prevent falls. Keeping the tarantula close to the substrate minimizes injury risks if it attempts to climb!