{"product_id":"brachypelma-smithi-ex-annitha-mexican-red-knee-urban-tarantulas","title":"Brachypelma smithi (ex annitha) | Mexican Red Knee | Urban Tarantulas","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"box-sizing:border-box;width:100%;max-width:860px;margin:0 auto;padding:14px;background:#f4f6fb;color:#1f2937;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:16px;line-height:1.55;overflow-wrap:break-word;\"\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"padding:2px;border-radius:11px;background:linear-gradient(120deg,#5b7c99,#d8963a,#d26a6a);\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding:22px 18px;background:#ffffff;border-radius:9px;\"\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 8px;color:#475569;font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:1.5px;\"\u003eURBAN TARANTULAS\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003ch2 style=\"margin:0 0 6px;color:#1f2937;font-size:28px;line-height:1.2;\"\u003eMexican Red Knee Tarantula\u003c\/h2\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin:0;color:#5b7c99;font-size:19px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eBrachypelma smithi\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-size:15px;color:#64748b;\"\u003e(ex annitha)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cp style=\"margin:20px 4px;\"\u003eFor red-knee enthusiasts, \u003cem\u003eBrachypelma smithi\u003c\/em\u003e deserves a place of its own. Dark legs, warm red-orange knee markings, and a beautifully patterned carapace give it that familiar Mexican tarantula appeal. You may remember it under the name \u003cem\u003eB. annitha\u003c\/em\u003e. Today, those animals belong to \u003cem\u003eB. smithi\u003c\/em\u003e—a distinct species from \u003cem\u003eB. hamorii\u003c\/em\u003e, with a simple terrestrial care routine and plenty to appreciate as it grows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"background:#ffffff;border:1px solid #e5e7eb;border-radius:10px;overflow:hidden;box-shadow:rgba(17,24,39,0.06) 0 2px 6px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ctable aria-label=\"Brachypelma smithi care and species guide\" style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;table-layout:fixed;font-size:16px;line-height:1.55;\"\u003e\n      \u003ccolgroup\u003e\n        \u003ccol style=\"width:34%;\"\u003e\n        \u003ccol style=\"width:66%;\"\u003e\n      \u003c\/colgroup\u003e\n      \u003ctbody\u003e\n\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth colspan=\"2\" style=\"padding:15px 14px;text-align:left;background:#f8fafc;color:#334155;font-size:19px;\"\u003eA familiar name, clarified\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" style=\"padding:16px 14px;\"\u003e\n            \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 12px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does “ex annitha” mean?\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eBrachypelma annitha\u003c\/em\u003e is a former scientific name now treated as a synonym of \u003cem\u003eB. smithi\u003c\/em\u003e. The label helps connect older hobby records with the accepted name; it does not indicate a hybrid or a separate subspecies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 12px;\"\u003eA free starter container for small slings is available if requested at checkout; it is not included automatically.\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cp style=\"margin:0;\"\u003eVisit \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/UrbanTarantulas\" style=\"color:#45627a;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:700;\"\u003eUrban Tarantulas on YouTube\u003c\/a\u003e for care, setup, feeding, and show-and-tell videos to see how we keep and feed our tarantulas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n          \u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth colspan=\"2\" style=\"padding:15px 14px;text-align:left;background:#f8fafc;border-top:1px solid #eef2f7;color:#334155;font-size:19px;\"\u003e🌿 A straightforward routine\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" style=\"padding:16px 14px;\"\u003e\n            \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 12px;\"\u003eProvide stable room temperatures, fresh water, ventilation, and a sheltered retreat. Keep larger specimens mostly dry at the surface with a lightly moistened corner. Slings need closer attention to moisture because small containers dry faster.\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cp style=\"margin:0;\"\u003eAvoid direct sunlight, heat lamps, and persistently soaked substrate. Let the spider choose between its hide and open space rather than removing cover to keep it visible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n          \u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth colspan=\"2\" style=\"padding:15px 14px;text-align:left;background:#f8fafc;border-top:1px solid #eef2f7;color:#334155;font-size:19px;\"\u003e🏠 Housing through each stage\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" style=\"padding:16px 14px;\"\u003e\n            \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 14px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBabies \/ slings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA ventilated 1–4 oz deli cup can suit small slings. Match the container to the spider and use escape-proof ventilation holes. Provide gently packed substrate for digging, with a slightly moist area and a drier area available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 14px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJuveniles\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUse a low terrestrial enclosure with diggable substrate, a cork-bark hide, and a small water dish. Increase floor space as the spider grows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cp style=\"margin:0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdults\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChoose a secure enclosure with roughly three leg spans of length and two of width as a starting point. Include substantial substrate depth and low clearance above it to reduce fall risk. Provide a stable hide and shallow water dish. House individually.\u003c\/p\u003e\n          \u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth colspan=\"2\" style=\"padding:15px 14px;text-align:left;background:#f8fafc;border-top:1px solid #eef2f7;color:#334155;font-size:19px;\"\u003e🍽️ Feeding \u0026amp; molting\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" style=\"padding:16px 14px;\"\u003e\n            \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 12px;\"\u003eOffer appropriately sized captive-bred crickets or roaches, including Dubia, Red Runners, and Lobster roaches. Tiny slings can take small feeders or freshly pre-killed prey when available insects are too large to tackle safely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 12px;\"\u003eOffer slings a small meal about weekly and larger specimens food every 1–2 weeks as a starting point. Adjust to appetite and abdomen condition. Remove uneaten food within 24 hours.\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cp style=\"margin:0;\"\u003eFood refusal can accompany premolt or a normal fast. Remove live feeders when premolt is suspected, leave molting spiders undisturbed, and wait until the fangs have hardened before feeding again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n          \u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth colspan=\"2\" style=\"padding:15px 14px;text-align:left;background:#f8fafc;border-top:1px solid #eef2f7;color:#334155;font-size:19px;\"\u003eYour smithi at a glance\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth scope=\"row\" style=\"padding:13px;text-align:left;vertical-align:top;color:#475569;border-top:1px solid #eef2f7;\"\u003e🕷️ Scientific name\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"padding:13px;border-top:1px solid #eef2f7;\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBrachypelma smithi\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e(F. O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1897)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:14px;color:#64748b;\"\u003eFormer synonym: \u003cem\u003eBrachypelma annitha\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth scope=\"row\" style=\"padding:13px;text-align:left;vertical-align:top;color:#475569;border-top:1px solid #eef2f7;\"\u003e📛 Common names\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"padding:13px;border-top:1px solid #eef2f7;\"\u003eMexican Red Knee; True Mexican Red Knee. Also sold under the hobby name Mexican Giant Red Knee.\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth scope=\"row\" style=\"padding:13px;text-align:left;vertical-align:top;color:#475569;border-top:1px solid #eef2f7;\"\u003e🌡️ Temperature\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"padding:13px;border-top:1px solid #eef2f7;\"\u003eApproximately 70–78°F (21–26°C). Stable room conditions are a practical captive starting point.\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth scope=\"row\" style=\"padding:13px;text-align:left;vertical-align:top;color:#475569;border-top:1px solid #eef2f7;\"\u003e💧 Humidity\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"padding:13px;border-top:1px solid #eef2f7;\"\u003eLow to moderate ambient humidity. Prioritize mostly dry surface substrate, a lightly moistened area, ventilation, and drinking water over a fixed percentage. Keep slings from drying out completely.\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth scope=\"row\" style=\"padding:13px;text-align:left;vertical-align:top;color:#475569;border-top:1px solid #eef2f7;\"\u003e📍 Locale\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"padding:13px;border-top:1px solid #eef2f7;\"\u003eGuerrero, Mexico, along the Pacific region. Associated with seasonally dry tropical forest and sheltered burrows.\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth scope=\"row\" style=\"padding:13px;text-align:left;vertical-align:top;color:#475569;border-top:1px solid #eef2f7;\"\u003e🏷️ Category\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"padding:13px;border-top:1px solid #eef2f7;\"\u003eNew World terrestrial \/ burrowing species. Generally light visible webbing, with silk around retreats and molt sites.\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth scope=\"row\" style=\"padding:13px;text-align:left;vertical-align:top;color:#475569;border-top:1px solid #eef2f7;\"\u003e📏 Adult size — DLS\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"padding:13px;border-top:1px solid #eef2f7;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFemale:\u003c\/strong\u003e approximately 5–6 inches (13–15 cm), a broad hobby estimate.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMale:\u003c\/strong\u003e more slender at maturity; reliable separate male DLS estimates are limited.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:14px;color:#64748b;\"\u003eDLS means diagonal leg span. The hobby name “Giant Red Knee” does not guarantee an unusually large individual.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth scope=\"row\" style=\"padding:13px;text-align:left;vertical-align:top;color:#475569;border-top:1px solid #eef2f7;\"\u003e🪶 Urticating hairs\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"padding:13px;border-top:1px solid #eef2f7;\"\u003eYes—if disturbed, they can flick urticating hairs as a natural defense. Individual responses vary.\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth scope=\"row\" style=\"padding:13px;text-align:left;vertical-align:top;color:#475569;border-top:1px solid #eef2f7;\"\u003e⏳ Growth rate\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"padding:13px;border-top:1px solid #eef2f7;\"\u003eSlow. Growth and molt intervals vary with age, feeding, and conditions.\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth scope=\"row\" style=\"padding:13px;text-align:left;vertical-align:top;color:#475569;border-top:1px solid #eef2f7;\"\u003e🧭 Lifespan\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"padding:13px;border-top:1px solid #eef2f7;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFemale:\u003c\/strong\u003e approximately 20–30 years.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMale:\u003c\/strong\u003e approximately 5–10 years.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size:14px;color:#64748b;\"\u003eBroad red-knee keeper estimates of total lifespan. Historical confusion with \u003cem\u003eB. hamorii\u003c\/em\u003e limits species-specific certainty.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth scope=\"row\" style=\"padding:13px;text-align:left;vertical-align:top;color:#475569;border-top:1px solid #eef2f7;\"\u003e🎯 Recommended level\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"padding:13px;border-top:1px solid #eef2f7;\"\u003eBeginner-friendly with the right setup, and especially appealing to \u003cem\u003eBrachypelma\u003c\/em\u003e lovers who enjoy the differences between Mexican red-knee species. Simple care and slow growth make it a rewarding long-term project.\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth colspan=\"2\" style=\"padding:15px 14px;text-align:left;background:#f8fafc;border-top:1px solid #eef2f7;color:#334155;font-size:19px;\"\u003eStay connected\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" style=\"padding:16px 14px;\"\u003e\n            \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 8px;font-weight:700;\"\u003e🎁 Follow me on social media and receive an additional freebie*\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 16px;\"\u003e*Email me after you follow to let me know you’re a follower so I can include it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:8px;\"\u003e\n              \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/instagram.com\/urbantarantulas\" style=\"flex:1 1 150px;box-sizing:border-box;min-height:44px;padding:11px 14px;border-radius:8px;background:#80535e;color:#ffffff;text-align:center;text-decoration:none;\"\u003eInstagram\u003c\/a\u003e\n              \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/UrbanTarantulas\" style=\"flex:1 1 150px;box-sizing:border-box;min-height:44px;padding:11px 14px;border-radius:8px;background:#45627a;color:#ffffff;text-align:center;text-decoration:none;\"\u003eYouTube\u003c\/a\u003e\n              \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/palmstreet.app\/u\/urbantarantulas?pr=muCIwoPJ\" style=\"flex:1 1 150px;box-sizing:border-box;min-height:44px;padding:11px 14px;border-radius:8px;background:#28736d;color:#ffffff;text-align:center;text-decoration:none;\"\u003ePalmstreet\u003c\/a\u003e\n              \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/UrbanTarantulas\/reviews\" style=\"flex:1 1 150px;box-sizing:border-box;min-height:44px;padding:11px 14px;border-radius:8px;background:#525783;color:#ffffff;text-align:center;text-decoration:none;\"\u003eFacebook\u003c\/a\u003e\n              \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@urbantarantulas\" style=\"flex:1 1 150px;box-sizing:border-box;min-height:44px;padding:11px 14px;border-radius:8px;background:#475569;color:#ffffff;text-align:center;text-decoration:none;\"\u003eTikTok\u003c\/a\u003e\n            \u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth colspan=\"2\" style=\"padding:15px 14px;text-align:left;background:#f8fafc;border-top:1px solid #eef2f7;color:#334155;font-size:18px;\"\u003eSafety disclaimer\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" style=\"padding:16px 14px;color:#475569;font-size:15px;\"\u003eTarantulas can bite, and this species has hairs that can irritate skin and eyes. Enjoy observing it and use a catch cup for transfers. Keep your face away during maintenance and protect the spider from falls. Seek medical advice after a bite or significant hair exposure, especially to the eyes. Handling is at your own risk. Always prioritize your safety and the tarantula’s well-being.\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n\n      \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n    \u003c\/table\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Urban Tarantulas","offers":[{"title":"Female - 3in - beautiful and rare","offer_id":48105722806435,"sku":null,"price":550.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Male - 3in - beautiful and rare","offer_id":48105722839203,"sku":null,"price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0531\/5077\/7507\/files\/IMG_9520.webp?v=1788930940","url":"https:\/\/www.urbantarantulas.com\/products\/brachypelma-smithi-ex-annitha-mexican-red-knee-urban-tarantulas","provider":"Urban Tarantulas","version":"1.0","type":"link"}