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Mexican fireleg        Images © Mark A. Chappell

Like the better known 'red-kneed' tarantula, the Mexican fireleg (Brachypelma boehmei) is a large and colorful spider.   It's a 'hair-kicker' that defends itself by kicking small hairs off of its body; these are irritating on the eyes, skin, or nasal passages of a potential predator.   The species is found wild in dry scrubland in southwestern Mexico (this freshly-molted one is a captive).

  • Canon 1D Mk. II, 100 mm Canon macro lens or MP-E 65 macro lens, ring-flash (2006)