More than 2200 species of the wild flora and fauna photographed in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico and the surrounding area.
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Spiders of Zihuatanejo
ORDER ARANEAE
Mexican Redknee Tarantula
Brachypelma smithi
-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)
-Chelicerates Subphylum Chelicerata
-Mygalomorphs (Suborder Mygalomorphae)
-Superfamily Avicularioidea
-Tarantulas (Family Theraphosidae)
-Theraphosine Tarantulas (Subfamily Theraphosinae)
-Tribe Hapalopini
-Genus Bonnetina
Mexican redknee tarantulas live in the tropical deciduous forests, dry forests, and deserts of Mexico. Mexican redknee tarantulas hide during the heat of the day in their silk-lined burrows, which are located under thorny vegetation such as cacti. Once darkness descends, their burrows transform into the perfect location to ambush unsuspecting prey such as insects, frog, lizards, and mice. A Mexican redknee tarantula’s venom is fatal to its small prey, it’s only the equivalent of a bee sting to humans.
Description
• Brachypelma smithi, commonly known as the Mexican redknee tarantula, is a large, robust tarantula in the family Theraphosidae. It has a dark brown to black body with distinctive orange-red patches on its leg joints, contrasting with lighter cream or orange markings. Its body is covered in fine hairs, and it can flick irritating hairs from its abdomen when threatened. Females are generally larger and longer-lived than males.
Range
• Brachypelma smithi is endemic to Mexico and occurs along the Pacific coastal region of Guerrero, from areas east of the Balsas River Basin towards Acapulco.
It is native to Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, and the surrounding area.
Habitat
• It inhabits dry tropical deciduous forests, thorn scrub, and other warm, seasonally dry environments. It lives in burrows beneath rocks, among tree roots, or near protective vegetation, using silk to line and reinforce its retreat.
Diet
• Brachypelma smithi is a carnivorous ambush predator that feeds mainly on insects and other small arthropods, including crickets, cockroaches, and beetles. It may occasionally take other small animals that it can overpower. It captures prey with its fangs and uses digestive fluids to break down food before consuming it.