Theraphosidae
Guides
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 catalina
Santa Catalina Mountain Tarantula
Aphonopelma catalina is a tarantula species described in 2016 from the Santa Catalina Mountains of southeastern Arizona. It belongs to a genus of large-bodied, ground-dwelling spiders native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other Aphonopelma species, it exhibits characteristics typical of primitive mygalomorph spiders, including simple genitalia that complicate species identification. The species is endemic to a single mountain range, making it vulnerable to habitat loss.
Aphonopelma gabeli
Chiricahuan Gray Tarantula
Aphonopelma gabeli is a medium-sized tarantula species in the family Theraphosidae, native to the Chihuahuan Desert region of the southwestern United States. It is commonly known as the Chiricahuan Gray Tarantula due to its occurrence in the Chiricahua Mountains area of southeastern Arizona and adjacent regions. The species was described by Andrew M. Smith in 1995 and is considered less commonly encountered than the sympatric Texas brown tarantula (Aphonopelma hentzi).
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.
Aphonopelma joshua
Aphonopelma joshua is a species of tarantula in the family Theraphosidae, described by Prentice in 1997. It is native to California, United States. Like other members of the genus Aphonopelma, this species is a large-bodied, ground-dwelling spider that constructs burrows. The genus has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with a 2016 study reducing the number of recognized U.S. species from 55 to 29 based on integrative morphological, molecular, and ecological data.
Aphonopelma madera
Madera Canyon Tarantula
Aphonopelma madera is a species of tarantula in the family Theraphosidae, described in 2016 from specimens collected in the Santa Rita Mountains of southeastern Arizona. The species is named for Madera Canyon, a well-known locality in its range. Like other members of the genus Aphonopelma, it is a large, ground-dwelling spider with urticating defensive hairs. The species is part of a taxonomic revision that split the formerly broadly-defined Aphonopelma chalcodes complex into multiple distinct species based on morphological and molecular data.
Aphonopelma marxi
Grand Canyon Black Tarantula
Aphonopelma marxi is a North American tarantula species in the family Theraphosidae, commonly known as the Grand Canyon Black Tarantula. It is a medium-sized, dark-colored species belonging to the 'Marxi species group' of mainly black, high-elevation tarantulas. The species was first described in 1891 and has undergone taxonomic revision, with two former species (A. behlei and A. vogelae) now recognized as synonyms. It is widely distributed but difficult to observe due to its fossorial habits.
Aphonopelma moderatum
Rio Grande Gold Tarantula
Aphonopelma moderatum, commonly known as the Rio Grande Gold Tarantula, is a species of tarantula endemic to the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. It is a medium-sized member of the genus Aphonopelma, with females exhibiting distinctive orange and black coloration and exceptional longevity. The species is known for its docile temperament in captivity and has been observed in burrowing behavior as spiderlings, though adults often occupy hides rather than constructing deep burrows.
Aphonopelma vorhiesi
Tucson Bronze Tarantula, Madrean Red Rump
Aphonopelma vorhiesi is a tarantula species in the family Theraphosidae, commonly known as the Tucson Bronze or Madrean Red Rump. It occurs in Arizona and New Mexico. The species resembles Aphonopelma chalcodes but is considerably rarer in captivity. Like other Aphonopelma species, it is a ground-dwelling spider that constructs and occupies burrows.
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.