Desert-arachnid
Guides
Aphonopelma steindachneri
Steindachner's Ebony Tarantula
Aphonopelma steindachneri, commonly known as Steindachner's Ebony Tarantula, is a New World terrestrial tarantula native to arid regions of California and Baja California, Mexico. The species reaches 12–13 cm in diagonal leg span and exhibits dark velvet black to deep brown coloration. It constructs and occupies burrows in open ground, emerging primarily at night to forage. Males become most visible during summer and fall breeding seasons when they leave burrows to search for mates. The species faces predation from spider wasps, centipedes, scorpions, and solifugids.
Asagena fulva
Red-and-white Asagena
Asagena fulva is a small cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae, found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Females range from 3–5.9 mm in body length, males from 2.4–5 mm. The species appears distinctly redder with more white markings than its congener A. americana. It has been observed in association with harvester ant nests, suggesting possible ant specialization.
Eremobates bixleri
windscorpion, sun spider, camel spider
Eremobates bixleri is a species of solifuge (windscorpion) in the family Eremobatidae, described by Muma and Brookhart in 1988. Like other solifugids, it is a nocturnal arachnid with large, powerful chelicerae used to capture and kill prey. The species is found in North America, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Solifugids are frequently encountered in desert environments and are often mistaken for scorpions or spiders due to their appearance, though they represent a distinct evolutionary lineage.
Eremobates icenogelei
camel spider, sun spider, wind scorpion, solifuge
Eremobates icenogelei is a species of solifuge (camel spider) in the family Eremobatidae. Solifugids are arachnids distinct from spiders and scorpions, characterized by their large, powerful chelicerae and rapid running ability. This species, like other members of its genus, inhabits arid and semi-arid regions of western North America. They are nocturnal predators that actively hunt small arthropods using their formidable jaws rather than venom. Despite their fearsome appearance, they pose no venomous threat to humans, though they can deliver a painful bite if handled carelessly.
Eremobates palpisetulosus
windscorpion, sun spider, camel spider
Eremobates palpisetulosus is a species of solifuge (windscorpion) in the family Eremobatidae, first described by Fichter in 1941. Solifuges are arachnids distinct from spiders and scorpions, characterized by their large, powerful chelicerae and rapid running speed. This species has been studied as part of desert arachnid community ecology, particularly in sympatric relationships with other desert predators including wolf spiders, tarantulas, whipscorpions, and scorpions.
Phidippus octopunctatus
Phidippus octopunctatus is a large jumping spider in the family Salticidae, occurring in the western United States and northern Mexico. It is among the largest jumping spiders in North America, with body length approaching 25 mm. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in coloration and builds prominent silk nests among bush branches for egg protection. It is an active hunter of large arthropod prey.