﻿ Tarantula


The Brachypelma vagans can be distinguished by the red hairs on its abdomen.  This feature earned the B. vagans the common name the Mexicaqn Red Rump Tarantula. Mexican Red Rump Tarantula can be found throughout Central America, they range from southern Mexico to Costa Rica (Mackhour et al. 2011 2).
The Mexican Red Rump Tarantula is classified as a threatened species however in these areas due to habitat isolation caused by the agriculture and construction industries throughout central America. These acts force the populations of Brachypelma vagans to split into smaller populations limiting their survival.
B. vagansThe B. vagans has been used in traditional mayan medicine as well. The spider is the base of a traditional medicine thought to cure a heart disease called “aire de tarantula” by the mayan tribe the Chol.
Like many tarantulas the Brachypelma vagans are a burrowing spider and digs a burrow where it lives most of its life (Mackhour et al. 2013). During the day the Mexican red rump spider hides deep beneath its burrow however at night the spider hunts by standing at the end of the burrow waiting for any form of prey.  One interesting way the B. vagans defends itself from larger predators is by kicking up the hairs on its abdomen. The hairs can deter larger predators by causing irritation when inhaled these hairs are known as urticating hairs. Tarantulas also do produce silk from their abdomen and create webs in their burrow which they use to allow them to sense prey that is approaching the opening of their burrow. However, the burrow is the only place that the B. vagans produces silk. Also, it was once thought that these spiders could produce silk from their feet. However, in a study by David Ortiz and Perez Miles this was proven not to be the case.

This cite will you become more familiar with the Mexican Red Rump Tarantula. It will guide you through the B. vagans Classification, Habitat, Adaptation, Reproduction, Interactions, Facts, along with a Reference and Contact page. To further your knowledge and continue to the classification of this interesting tarantula, click here.

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