It was originally discovered by a collector named H.H. Smith in 1888, and was one of the first spider species to enter the pet trade. The Mexican Redknee, as the name would suggest is native to central Mexico, and is found along the Pacific coast from Colima to Oaxaca. It lives in dry deciduous forest, scrub and desert areas, and lives primarily on the ground, in burrows or under rocks. Big females weigh approximately 40g.
Males tend to be smaller in terms of body size, yet they have proportionally longer legs.
On its legs this species has alternating bands of bright reddish-orange and black, that give it its name. There are irregular longer white-tipped hairs over the legs and abdomen. Like many other Theraphosids the Mexican Redknee is often referred to as a Tarantula. However, the true Tarantula is a wolf spider from Southern Europe. Even the name Bird-eating spider is misleading because they don't just feed on birds.