considering a Mexican Fire Leg

[BigBadConrad]

I've never owned a T (a few scorps and pedes, though). My local reptile shop has two "Mexican Fire Leg" Ts for sale for $60 each. They are both around 4", don't know the sexes (though one seems more heavily-bodied than the other, I would guess that's the female).

Does anyone know of a caresheet for these or a similar species? How do you sex them (I would want a female, right?), and is $60 a fair price? They sure are beautiful, but the only ones of this species I've ever seen, so I don't have much basis for comparison.

Thanks,
John

 

[metzgerzoo]

This happy, lively, friendly place has care sheets on the home page on the top bar under "Tarantulas", don't know if they have the fire leg or not, but they do have care sheets for Brackys. 60 sounds about right for the pet stores, pretty good if they are that big. As far as sex..yes, you'd probably want a femaie, they live much longer. They are beautiful...I myself, am pining for a flame knee

 

[pelo]

Mex fireleg=B.boehmei.If it's $60 and female,scoop it up.That's a great price for a 4" female.Take the more heavily bodied one...better chance of female.As far as caring for them it's a breeze.Lower humidity..dry substrate(peat moss)..big water dish..room temps are fine.Brachypelma are a very long lived hardy species accepting a wide range of living conditions and boehmei is one of the most if not the best colored of the mexican brachys.As far as sexing do some quick research here and see if you can at least get a jist for sexing,bettering your odds for identifying the female..if there's a female....Good luck...peace..

 

[BigBadConrad]

Thanks for the input. I just called the shop and told them to hold the "plumper" one for me. My first T! How old would you guess it is from the description, and how big/old do they get? I'll post a pic once I get it and also figure out how to use the macro on my new Coolpix.

Thanks,
John

 

[metzgerzoo]

Plumpy is good! If it's 4" it's probably pretty well grown up, but will do a bit more. If I remember correctly..those in the know correct me if I'm wrong...I believe they get to about 4.5 to 5 ". Age is very difficult to determine with a T unless they are captive bred and you know or can get in contact with the breeder. Wild caught sub adults and adults are very difficult to age.
I do want to just clarify a bit what Pelo said. A "large" water dish doesn't mean a bucket wide and shallow so your new buddy doesn't drown. Good luck and have fun with your new and first T.

 

[vulpina]

Buy it!!! B.boehmi are not a real large T so 4" is a good sized one. They are notorious hair kickers though so be careful with her.

Andy