Red-Kneed Tarantula

Red-Kneed Tarantula
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Nightmares of Nature
Previous	Green Anaconda
Next	Hippopotamus
Card	13
Creature Features
Species	Bracyhpelma smithi
Size	Body length up to 4 in.; Legspan up to 7 in.
Habitat	Dry areas of western Mexico
Prey	Large insects, small mammals and reptiles
Lifespan	Up to 30 years
Did You Know?
Even though this spider isn't dangerous to people, it often plays the role of a "deadly" spider in movies.

In the rocky scrubland of Mexico, a beautiful but deadly tarantula lurks. The Mexican red-kneed tarantula is huge, hairy and as deadly to its prey as it looks. It's a master at sensing other creatures that are around it, and keeps its weapons ready. While its bite is lethal to insects, lizards and rodents, it is relatively harmless to humans.

Fatal Fangs: The red-kneed tarantula normally keeps its large jaws tucked underneath its body. When it's time to take care of prey, however, the spider rears up and the fangs spring out to deliver a fatal bite.

Silk Stalker: Any prey that puts up a fight during the tarantula's attack is quickly immobilized. This spider uses its silk spinning abilities to tie up larger prey until the venomous bite takes effect.

Hair Trigger

The hairs that cover the red-kneed tarantula's body are essential to the spider's survival. The hairs on its legs sense vibrations and even movements of the air made by nearby prey. Other hairs on the creature's body connect to organs that pick up smells out of the air. Hairs on the spider's abdomen are secret weapons. They're hooked on the end and can be shot at enemies like tiny arrows.

Colorful Defense: The tarantula's knees (pictured above) are used for defense. If cornered by a predator, the spider rears up and flashes its colorful legs to confuse the enemy.

Feeling It: Next to the spider's jaws are appendages called pedipalps. The creature uses these as "feelers" to identify objects it encounters.

Hide & Seek

1. The red-kneed tarantula's favorite hunting method is an ambush. The spider digs a burrow and sits inside, waiting for an insect to wander by, then quickly darts out to attack.
2. The ambush is over in a flash as the tarantula rears up and unfurls its fangs. The tarantula injects its venom into the prey's body, which quickly paralyzes and kills the victim.
3. The tarantula then drags the prey back to its burrow. The jaws go to work, mashing the insides of the prey into a pulp with the help of the tarantula's digestive juices.

Trading Card

Red-Kneed Tarantula This big, hairy spider lets prey come to it. It usually just sits in its burrow and waits for a victim to wander along. If an enemy finds its hidden home, the spider can shoot its barbed hairs, like arrows. Say What? This spider's venom can't kill people. Stats Life 100 Attack 5 Defense 5

Trivia

• The red-kneed tarantula is featured in Who Am I? on Monster Mania 11.
  • It is referred to by its longer common name, the "Mexican red-kneed tarantula".