conflicting information on how to properly care for Mexican red knee

[Outdoor explorer]

Hi. I’m new to keeping tarantulas and recently purchased a Mexican red knee but I’m reading conflicting information on how to properly care for it. My living room does get cool and have purchased a heat mat. But some say to place on the bottom or the side of the enclosure. Also I’ve read to keep the enclosure damp for humidity and also keep it dry?? I’m really confused and any help would be grateful appriciated.
Thank you

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

What’s the exact temperature?
Here’s a guide that has a lot of everything on it

Admin Announcement - Tarantula Information for Beginners (and More)

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arachnoboards.com

 

[viper69]

Not the bottom- kills them!!

 

[Outdoor explorer]

What’s the exact temperature?
Here’s a guide that has a lot of everything on it

Admin Announcement - Tarantula Information for Beginners (and More)

Below are some helpful resources. (Rather than having half a dozen or more pinned threads, which clutter the top of the board, we are pinning this index.) While the focus is on beginners, there are other threads on health and more advanced species that may be useful to more experienced keepers...

arachnoboards.com

Current temperature is 22 degrees C. And hydrometer showing in the green, 53%

 

[Stemmy101]

Hi! Usually people don't use supplemental heat for their Ts because most times it is unnecessary and can be dangerous if done improperly. Never put a heat mat on the bottom of the enclosure, because Ts love to burrow to escape the elements, hide, etc., and they could end up cooking themselves. 22C (about 72F) is a pretty good temp and I would say is fine to not add extra heating, at least in my opinion. Some people prefer to keep their T rooms a few degrees warmer than that which is best achieved with a space heater to heat the entire room and not just concentrated on the enclosure. As for humidity, that isn't something to stress over. This is an arid species, so just having a full water dish at all times should suffice. As for information, there are lots of helpful threads here on AB to get you started. Tom Moran (Tom's Big Spiders) is another great source of information. Welcome to the hobby!

 

[Outdoor explorer]

Hi! Usually people don't use supplemental heat for their Ts because most times it is unnecessary and can be dangerous if done improperly. Never put a heat mat on the bottom of the enclosure, because Ts love to burrow to escape the elements, hide, etc., and they could end up cooking themselves. 22C (about 72F) is a pretty good temp and I would say is fine to not add extra heating, at least in my opinion. Some people prefer to keep their T rooms a few degrees warmer than that which is best achieved with a space heater to heat the entire room and not just concentrated on the enclosure. As for humidity, that isn't something to stress over. This is an arid species, so just having a full water dish at all times should suffice. As for information, there are lots of helpful threads here on AB to get you started. Tom Moran (Tom's Big Spiders) is another great source of information. Welcome to the hobby!

Thank you for this. It really helps. She is spending more time towards the rear of the enclosure as the heat mat is at the back to one side

 

[Wolfram1]

Temperatures in Mexico can dip significantly below 22°C, ofc the burrow protects them from heat and cold so always keep that in mind when you look at proposed temperatures. Never assume the extremes are what they are used to, additionally they come from open and forested areas and temperatures on the forest floor are several degrees cooler than the temperatures in the open.

for mine, i do water at least half of the substrate and then let things dry, but i never let things go 100% dry

 

[The Spider House]

Also remember that most Brachypelma, and indeed majority of Tarantulas available, are numerous generations of captive bred individuals. You have probably been closer to Mexico than the spider itself (and you are only down the road from me in the UK!).

So trying to replicate a 'typical' Mexican environment is not necessary.

Yes, make your spider comfortable with the right husbandry (overflowed water dish, deep sub and a nice hide), but don't stress too much is the key.

22°C is nothing to worry about at all.

 

[cold blood]

Current temperature is 22 degrees C. And hydrometer showing in the green, 53%

Temps can very wildly from as low as the mid 60sF to as high as 90F+....you are right in the range...which is huge...so huge in fact, that temps willl rarely if ever, be a real issue.

Humidity is just not relevant and there is no reason to even measure it. My location sees humidity in the single digits all winter...no problem....I also see humidity upwards of 80% in the summer....still no problem.

For this species, dry with a water dish is all you need to be concerned about.

I recommend not reading care sheets, they will only confuse you and lead you dont an incorrect and far more complicated path.