The Mexican red-knee or red-leg Tarantula (genus Brachypelma smithi) is a burrowing spider, best known for its hairy body and segmented legs. It thriv

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The Mexican red-knee or red-leg Tarantula (genus Brachypelma smithi) is a burrowing spider, best known for its hairy body and segmented legs. It thrives in open forests and semi-desert habitats of Mexico and South America. It feeds on insects, rodents and small birds, which it stalks before attacking it and next pumps venom into the prey's body through its fangs. The poison liquefies the internal organs, which the spider then sucks out. When not hunting it hides in its burrows. Its overall size is between 10 and 20 cm

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Photo credit: © DIRK WIERSMA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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