New Member with Mexican Red Knee

[adc]

75 Y.O. retired mechanical engineer. I bought "Fuzzy" 6+ months ago. He is a 3ish inch juvinile. He/she is very lay back. I got him at PetSmart for $70. He has molted once. I have learned (hopefully) a lot since getting him. I have a 10 gallon aquarium it stays between 70 and 75 due to a very low wattage heater and a led floodlight. The room temp varies between 68 at night to 75 during the day. The little heater really evens things out. I certainly enjoy the hobby. Hoping to learn a lot on this forum.

 

[Cor]

Welcome aboard! I don't think you have a Red Knee though. That looks more like a Brachypelma emelia / Mexican Red Leg.

 

[Enn49]

Hello and welcome

 

[DustyD]

Even though you have a terrestrial spider and a hide, some like to dig/ burrow and I don't think that bark substrate would work well. And I think it might be a little abrasive. Maybe others can correct me if I am wrong.

Other than that, I like the setup.

Holding Ts has been a much discussed topic. I know some who do it, right now I do not, although I currently only have slings to juveniles. I may be tempted when they become adults, but maybe not. One fall could end it's life, although I know it is human nature for us to want to touch and hold animals we care for.

 

[adc]

I have moved him into an enclosure which is safer. There is no screen on top. I will be putting 4 more inches of cocoa on top of the 2 to 3 inches of jungle mix.

 

[DustyD]

Looks great!
Hopefully others will chime in. I would tend to fill it in on the right to decrease the height and see where that goes. Yours may not dig at all.
Looks really cool.

 

[Oursapoil]

Good morning,
This is definitely a Brachipelma emilia
Looks like you are a very caring owner but if I could make a suggestion, remove the pin hide (can be replaced by cork bark) as well as all the pine bark used as substrate (this can be replaced by coconut mulch. Trees usually have natural pesticide in their bark to fight off parasites and bugs (cork bark is 100% safe) and I believe it is always better to stay away from them.

 

[adc]

Thank you. I am going to put at least another 5 inches on top of the Jungle mulch. And he has never burrowed yet. I will keep an eye on it. I will do some research into the hide. I noticed before I moved him there were ants on that bark. I froze it and am very vigilant about ants. I am trying to be a careful owner..thanks.

 

[Nurse Ratchet]

Congrats on your fuzzy friend purchase and welcome to the forum. Your enclosure is lovely. I think your plan to add more substrate is spot on. I've only been keeping T's for a short time, but have found that when given the option, all my terrestrials eventually dug a cozy tunnel. I'll give you a warning I never got until it was too late. They are addictive! Toss any care sheets from pet shops and do your own research online. And whenever in doubt, feel free to reach out here to your new friends. Best wishes!

 

[DustyD]

I second Oursapoil's thoughts on the hide and mulch. Plus I think the cork bark looks so much better and it is lighter.

 

[adc]

Almost done. I need to raise the hide a couple inches and but more cocoa mulch in there so he can better burrow.

 

[adc]

Almost done. I need to raise the hide a couple inches and but more cocoa mulch in there so he can better burrow.

 

[DustyD]

Looks great. Yeah try things out.