Mexican Redknee Tarantula (Brachypelma hamorii) Spotted in Tuba, Benguet

This is a Mexican redknee tarantula (Brachypelma hamorii) spotted in a residential area in Poblacion, Tuba, Benguet. This species is not native to the Philippines. This vulnerable species is found in Mexico. Thus its name.

So how did it find itself in Tuba? This species is often kept as a pet. So it either escaped its owner or the owner released it outside.

This is not the first time that a free-roaming Mexican redknee tarantula was seen here. Last week, a reader sent me a photo of another one she saw along the road in Green Valley. 

📷 Photo courtesy of Cliff Lardizabal.