Desert Blonde Tarantula
Aphonopelma chalcodes
The Aphonopelma chalcodes, known as 'Desert Blonde Tarantula' or 'Arizona Blonde'. Considered the quintessential American desert spider, it is famous for its contrasting colors: bright straw blonde carapace and legs, dark black abdomen and femurs (4.7-5.5 inches legspan). Robust and long-lived, it is famous for the exhausting fasts that defy all logic, resisting in lethargy under the arid soil. It is a tireless and extremely placid digger, perfect for neophytes of the extreme desert biome.
Ambiente
Terrestre
Umidade
50 - 65 %
Temperatura diurna
24 - 29 °C
Temperatura noturna
20 - 24 °C
Descrição da espécie
Taxonomy and distribution: The World Spider Catalog treats Aphonopelma chalcodes Chamberlin, 1940 as an accepted species in Theraphosidae and lists its distribution as USA. It records A. apacheum, A. minchi, A. rothi, A. schmidti and A. stahnkei as synonyms. This source supports taxonomic and distributional facts only; it does not provide a species-specific husbandry, behaviour, morphology or sexual-dimorphism account.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Terrarium setup: In the cited reproductive-behaviour study, spiders were housed separately in wide-mouth gallon jars with at least 2 cm of equal parts soil and peat moss. This describes the study conditions, not a universal enclosure specification.
Lighting and heating: The study used artificial laboratory lighting without controlled photoperiod and maintained 23–27 °C. These were study conditions, not a captive temperature or lighting prescription.
Humidity and hydration: Each study jar had a cup of saturated tissue paper as a water source. The paper does not establish a general humidity regime.
Feeding and supplementation: Each individual in the study was fed once a week on a variety of arthropods. This is a reported study schedule, not a universal feeding protocol.
Compatibility and cohabitation: The study housed spiders separately; 33 laboratory matings were observed in a 15-gallon glass aquarium lined with gravel. These observations do not establish general cohabitation guidance.
Health and common diseases: After field capture, spiders were transported to the laboratory at night to reduce heat stress. This handling detail is not a disease or treatment protocol.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
Esta espécie é originária de: Stati Uniti / Messico (Deserti aridi e macchie dell'Arizona, Nuovo Messico e Sonora).
Origem
América Central e CaribeAmérica do Norte
Perfil de invertebrados terrestres
- Dieta
- Carnivore
- Aphonopelma chalcodes is an opportunistic ambush predator that thrives on a diet of appropriately sized live insects. Crickets, roaches, and mealworms make excellent staple feeders for this species. Prey should be gut-loaded and occasionally dusted with supplements to ensure optimal nutrition. It is important not to overfeed, as a highly distended abdomen can increase the risk of fatal injuries from falls. Remove any uneaten live prey after 24 hours to prevent them from stressing or injuring the spider.
- Tamanho adulto
- 15 cm
- Estilo de vida/Microhabitat
- Terrestrial
- Aphonopelma chalcodes is perfectly adapted to its specific ecological niche, requiring a setup that closely mimics its natural environment. Terrestrial species need deep, specialized substrate for burrowing, while arboreal species require vertical cork bark tubes and elevated hides. They are generally solitary creatures that should be housed individually to prevent predation. A proper water dish and an appropriate microclimate are essential components of their enclosure. They lead a sedentary lifestyle, meaning they do not require excessively large enclosures compared to active reptiles.
- Ciclo de atividades
- Nocturnal
- Like most tarantulas, Aphonopelma chalcodes is primarily nocturnal, showing the highest levels of activity during the night. They generally remain hidden in their burrows or web tubes during daylight hours to avoid heat and predators. Once the lights go out, they often emerge to sit at the entrance of their hide, waiting to ambush passing prey. Despite being mostly inactive during the day, they may occasionally venture out for water or to adjust their webbing. Maintaining a natural photoperiod is recommended to support this internal circadian rhythm.
- Socialidade
- Solitary
- Like almost all tarantulas, they are strictly solitary. They are territorial and cannibalistic, viewing any other tarantula as either a predator or prey. Co-habitation will always end in the death of one or both spiders. They only meet to mate, and the encounters are brief and fraught with risk.
- Reprodução
- Oviparous
- Breeding Aphonopelma chalcodes requires careful introduction of the mature male to the female's enclosure to minimize the risk of cannibalism. The male will drum on the substrate to announce his presence and gauge the female's receptivity. After a successful mating, the female will construct an egg sac containing hundreds of eggs. She will guard this sac fiercely for several weeks until the spiderlings emerge. Providing optimal temperature and humidity during this incubation period is critical for the success of the clutch.
- Venenoso
- Yes
- Tolerância de tratamento
- Tolerant
- Handling Aphonopelma chalcodes is generally discouraged by experienced keepers, as it provides no benefit to the spider and introduces significant risks. A fall from even a minor height can rupture their delicate abdomen, resulting in fatal injury. Additionally, they can deliver a painful bite or release irritating urticating hairs if they become stressed or defensive. If they must be moved for enclosure maintenance, the "catch cup" method is the safest and most stress-free approach. Always prioritize the safety and well-being of the animal over the desire to interact physically.
- Brumação
- Não obrigatório
- Tarantulas like Aphonopelma chalcodes do not undergo true brumation, but their metabolism may slow down considerably if exposed to cooler winter temperatures. In captivity, it is best to maintain a stable, warm temperature year-round to ensure healthy growth and digestion. If temperatures do drop slightly, you may notice a decrease in appetite and activity levels. Never allow the enclosure to reach freezing temperatures, as this will quickly prove fatal. Heating should always be provided via a thermostat-controlled heat mat applied to the side, never the bottom, of the tank.
- Muda
- Regular
- Molting is a critical and vulnerable process for Aphonopelma chalcodes, allowing it to grow and regenerate lost appendages. Before molting, they often refuse food for weeks, become sluggish, and may spin a molting mat of webbing. They will typically flip onto their back to shed their old exoskeleton—never mistake a spider in this position for a dead one. It is crucial to maintain adequate humidity during this time and strictly avoid feeding them until their fangs have fully hardened. Disturbing a tarantula mid-molt can be fatal, so they must be left completely alone.
Espécies relacionadas
Recomendações agrupadas por parentes próximos, escolhas de acompanhantes e cuidados semelhantes.
