Pet-trade
Guides
Amblypygi
whip spiders, tailless whip scorpions, amblypygids
Amblypygi is an ancient order of arachnids comprising approximately 280 species across five families. These nocturnal predators are characterized by extremely elongated first pair of legs modified as sensory "whips" and raptorial pedipalps for capturing prey. They lack venom glands, silk production, and the tail-like flagellum present in their relatives the whip scorpions (Uropygi). Several species exhibit unusual social behaviors including maternal care and kin recognition.
Aphonopelma
Aphonopelma is a genus of tarantulas in the family Theraphosidae, comprising the majority of North American tarantula species north of Mexico and many Central American species. The genus includes approximately 54 currently recognized species, though taxonomy remains problematic due to morphological similarity among species. Members are generally large-bodied with leg spans of 6 inches or more, and possess urticating hairs used in defense. The genus exhibits sexual dimorphism, with mature males becoming more active and wander in search of sedentary females.
Aphonopelma anax
Texas tan tarantula
Aphonopelma anax, the Texas tan tarantula, is among the largest tarantula species in the United States, with mature individuals reaching leg spans of 5–6 inches. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism: females are larger-bodied with shorter legs and can live up to 40 years, while males have longer legs, smaller bodies, and typically survive less than two years after maturity. Males abandon their burrows during the late summer and early fall mating season to actively search for sedentary females, traveling up to 1.2 km in a single night and covering areas up to 29 hectares. The species employs behavioral thermoregulation, retreating into temporary burrows during daytime heat and emerging in the evening when thermal conditions permit sustained activity.
Aphonopelma chalcodes
Desert Blonde Tarantula, Arizona Blonde Tarantula, Western Desert Tarantula, Mexican Blonde Tarantula
Aphonopelma chalcodes is a large-bodied burrowing tarantula native to the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts of the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism: females are uniformly tan with a pale, densely hairy carapace that gives the "blonde" common name, while males have black legs, copper-colored cephalothorax, and reddish abdomen. Females are sedentary, occupying deep burrows for their entire lives, whereas mature males abandon their burrows to wander in search of mates during summer monsoon season. The species is notable for its longevity, with females living 24–30 years and males 5–10 years, and for its popularity in the pet trade due to docile temperament and relatively low venom toxicity.
Aphonopelma iodius
Desert Tarantula, Great Basin Blonde, Fresno County Blonde, Salt Lake City Brown, Northern Blonde
Aphonopelma iodius is a medium-sized tarantula native to the southwestern United States, inhabiting desert regions of California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. The species has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with former species A. angusi, A. melanium, A. nevadanum, and A. smithii synonymized under it based on morphological and molecular analyses. Males reach sexual maturity at approximately seven years and emerge from burrows in autumn to seek mates. Females are long-lived, with documented lifespans exceeding thirty years in captivity.
Armadillidium vulgare
common pill-bug, common pill woodlouse, roly-poly, potato bug, doodle bug, carpenter
Armadillidium vulgare is a terrestrial isopod native to Mediterranean Europe that has become one of the most widespread woodlouse species globally through human-mediated dispersal. It is the most extensively studied terrestrial isopod and serves as a model organism for research on mitochondrial genome evolution, desiccation resistance, and conglobation behavior. The species exhibits remarkable morphological plasticity, including numerous color morphs maintained through selective breeding in the pet trade.
Asbolus
blue death-feigning beetles
Asbolus is a small genus of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. The genus contains four species, including the well-known Asbolus verrucosus, commonly called the blue death-feigning beetle. These beetles are adapted to arid desert environments and exhibit a distinctive blue coloration derived from a waxy coating that prevents desiccation. The genus is notable for its thanatosis behavior—playing dead when threatened.
Asbolus verrucosus
Blue Death-Feigning Beetle, Desert Ironclad Beetle
A darkling beetle native to southwestern North American deserts, distinguished by its powdery blue wax coating and dramatic death-feigning behavior when threatened. Adults measure 18–21 mm and are highly adapted to arid environments. The species has become popular in the pet trade due to its hardiness and ease of care.
Coenobita
land hermit crabs, terrestrial hermit crabs
Coenobita is a genus of terrestrial hermit crabs comprising 21 species distributed primarily in tropical and subtropical coastal regions. Unlike marine hermit crabs, these species have adapted to life on land while maintaining a critical dependence on the sea for reproduction and shell acquisition. They inhabit empty gastropod shells to protect their soft, asymmetrical abdomens and carry water within their shells to prevent desiccation. The genus is closely related to the coconut crab (Birgus latro), with both genera forming the family Coenobitidae. Several species are popular in the pet trade.
Cubaris
Reclined Pill Woodlice
Cubaris is a genus of woodlice (terrestrial isopods) in the family Armadillidae, established in 1833 with Cubaris murina as the type species. The genus contains more than 100 described species, though it has become a wastebasket taxon with many species placed in it that do not fit the original description. Species in this genus are capable of conglobation (rolling into a ball) and have been widely used in ecotoxicity testing due to their sensitive behavioral responses to soil contaminants. Several Cubaris species, particularly undescribed forms such as "Rubber Ducky," have become popular in the pet trade.
Edrotes ventricosus
hairy robot beetle, desert hairy robot beetle
Edrotes ventricosus is a small darkling beetle native to southwestern North American deserts. Adults are distinctive for their rounded, compact body shape and dense covering of dorsal hairs. The species is herbivorous and has been observed feeding on several plant species including saltgrass and cheat grass. It is active primarily from early spring through late winter, with year-round activity in the southern portion of its range. The beetle has become popular in the pet trade due to its manageable care requirements and appealing appearance.
Hadrurus anzaborrego
Anza-Borrego Hairy Scorpion
Hadrurus anzaborrego is a large scorpion endemic to the western Colorado Desert of southern California and extreme northern Baja California. It is a medium-sized member of the genus Hadrurus, reaching up to 11 cm in length. The species exhibits two distinct color phenotypes: light individuals are pale yellow, while dark individuals have a melanic posterior carapace and mesosoma. Both forms display a characteristic dark, v-shaped pattern near the eyes. The species name derives from Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, where the holotype was collected.
Mastigoproctus giganteus
giant whip scorpion, giant vinegaroon, grampus, Texas giant vinegaroon
Mastigoproctus giganteus is a large arachnid in the order Uropygi, commonly known as the giant whip scorpion or vinegaroon. It is the only member of family Thelyphonidae found in the United States, occurring from the southern U.S. through Mexico. The species is nocturnal and occupies humid microhabitats in arid and semi-arid environments. It is notable for its ability to spray a defensive secretion containing 85% acetic acid, which produces a strong vinegar-like odor. The species is long-lived, with females producing a single brood of approximately 40 offspring that receive extended maternal care.
Orthoporus ornatus
Desert Millipede, Texas Gold-Banded Millipede
Orthoporus ornatus is a large millipede native to the Chihuahuan and Sonoran deserts of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Adults typically reach 4 inches (10 cm) in length, with exceptional individuals exceeding 9 inches (23 cm). The species exhibits behavioral thermoregulation, spending most of its life in deep, damp soil burrows and emerging primarily after summer rains to feed and reproduce. It is popular in the pet trade and has been introduced to European collections through captive breeding programs.
Panchlora nivea
Cuban cockroach, green banana cockroach, banana cockroach
Panchlora nivea is a small, bright green cockroach native to Cuba and the Caribbean, now established along the Gulf Coast of the United States from Florida to Texas. Unlike most cockroach species, it is primarily an outdoor insect rarely found indoors and is not considered a pest. It has become popular in the pet trade due to its attractive coloration and non-invasive habits.
Porcellionides pruinosus
Powderblues, powder blue woodlouse
Porcellionides pruinosus is a cosmopolitan terrestrial isopod (woodlouse) native to Europe that has achieved global distribution through human-mediated dispersal. The species is detritivorous and occupies diverse terrestrial habitats from agricultural fields to desert margins. It is suspected to represent a cryptic species complex, with ten subspecies currently recognized and significant morphological and reproductive variation documented across populations. The species carries Wolbachia endosymbionts that can induce feminization of males and cytoplasmic incompatibility, affecting population sex ratios. P. pruinosus has become popular in the pet trade, with numerous color morphs selectively bred.
Tliltocatl vagans
Mexican red-rump tarantula, Mexican red rump
Tliltocatl vagans is a large terrestrial tarantula native to Mexico and Central America, distinguished by the distinctive red hairs covering its abdomen. Formerly placed in the genus Brachypelma, this species was reclassified to Tliltocatl following taxonomic revision accepted by the World Spider Catalog. It is a burrowing, nocturnal predator that constructs underground galleries. The species has established a non-native population in Florida since 1996, introduced through the pet trade. Females are notably long-lived, potentially reaching 25–40 years in captivity. Due to habitat destruction, collection pressure, and high juvenile mortality, T. vagans is considered vulnerable to extinction and is protected under CITES Appendix II.