Desert Blond Tarantula

Aphonopelma chalcodes

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Mygalomorphae
Family: Theraphosidae
Genus: Aphonopelma
Species: chalcodes

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Aphonopelma chalcodes: /æfənəˈpɛlmə ˈkælkəʊdiːz/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Distribution.Aphonopelma.chalcodes by Socrates75. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Aphonopelma chalcodes by Snake collector. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Aphonopelma chalcodes female ZooKeys 560 by Chris A. Hamilton, Brent E. Hendrixson, Jason E. Bond. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Couple aphonopelma chalcodes by Marc BRETHES. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Arizona Blond Tarantula - Flickr - GregTheBusker by Greg Schechter from San Francisco, USA. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Aphonopelma chalcodes male ZooKeys 560 by Chris A. Hamilton, Brent E. Hendrixson, Jason E. Bond. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Summary

Aphonopelma chalcodes, commonly known as the desert blonde tarantula, is a burrowing spider found in the deserts of Arizona and adjacent Mexico. It is characterized by its large size, pale carapace, and dark legs and abdomen, with a lifespan of up to 30 years for females. The species has low toxicity and exhibits nocturnal behavior, living in silk-lined burrows.

Physical Characteristics

3 to 5 in (8 to 13 cm) large-bodied, burrowing spider. Females are usually uniform tan; males have black legs, copper-colored cephalothorax, and reddish abdomen. Females can reach up to 56 mm in body length, while males reach up to 44 mm.

Identification Tips

The common name 'blonde tarantula' refers to the dense covering of pale hairs on the carapace which contrasts with the all-dark legs and abdomen.

Habitat

Desert soil in southwestern U.S., particularly in New Mexico and Arizona.

Distribution

Limited to the deserts of Arizona and adjacent parts of Mexico. Common within this range.

Diet

Carnivore, primarily preying on insects and small invertebrates.

Life Cycle

Males live approximately 5–10 years, whereas females can live about 24–30 years. Molting occurs through ten primary stages, totaling around 25 molts over two years.

Reproduction

Females lay eggs after storing sperm in abdominal pouches (spermatheca) and can produce approximately 600 offspring on average.

Cultural Significance

Popular among beginner tarantula keepers due to docile nature and long lifespan.

Health Concerns

Venom is not highly dangerous to humans; comparable to a bee sting and one of the least dangerous in the Theraphosidae family.

Misconceptions

Contrary to some beliefs, their venom is not dangerous to humans and they are docile compared to many other spider species.