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	Description Mexican Red Knee Tarantulas have red or orange knees. A Mexican Red Knee Tarantula when full grown can be over 5 inches long. Females can live to be 25 years old or even older, but males rarely live past 10 years.

Photos by Mark Webster	Habitat The Mexican Red Knee Tarantula is native to the deserts and rainforests of Mexico and Central America. The spider makes its home by digging a burrow in the ground and lining it with spider's silk. The photos show a burrow dug by a Costa Rican Tarantula at the Spider Room. The burrow is under the spider's water dish. Mexican Red Knee Tarantulas living in the wild dig similar burrows for a home.

	Food Tarantulas do not spin webs to catch food. The spider likes to eat insects, small frogs and lizards, and sometimes mice. The spider uses its fangs to inject venom. Its front legs are used to hold its prey.

	Defense Because tarantulas like the Mexican Red Knee have been featured in so many movies, you might think they are very dangerous. However, the Mexican Red Knee is normally a peaceful creature. If it is threatened, the spider may rear up on its hind legs and may flick hairs to protect itself. Notice how much hair is missing from the abdomen of the tarantula in the picture. These hairs can irritate the skin and eyes. Susie, a Red Knee Tarantula in the Spider Room, was threatened. Watch Susie's response. Although the Mexican Red Knee Tarantula rarely bites people, the spider may bite to defend itself. Like most tarantulas, its venom is not deadly, unless you are allergic. Getting bit by one would be similar to getting stung by a bee.

	An Exotic Pet The Mexican Red Knee Tarantula is a popular exotic pet. Because of the danger of over-hunting, this tarantula must be protected in its natural habitat. It has been against international law since 1985 to capture and export this tarantula. Spiders from the pet store have been bred in captivity. Even then, they may not like new cages. Watch the video and see Susie escape from her cage!

	Tarantula links More than 800 different kinds of tarantulas are found around the world. Visit the links below to learn more about tarantulas. National Geographic's Tarantulas http://www.nationalgeographic.com/tarantulas/introframe.html Includes information about the body parts, life cycle, and and different species of tarantulas. Tarantulas.com http://www.tarantulas.com Information about many different species of tarantulas. Armando's Tarantulas http://www.earthlife.net/chelicerata/tarantula.html Information about caring for pet tarantulas, and other good information.