Texas Brown Tarantula
Aphonopelma hentzi
The Aphonopelma hentzi, the immortal 'Texas Brown Tarantula'. It is the classic and massive tarantula of the American southwest, of a uniform dark brown or pale chocolate color (5.1-5.9 inches legspan). Indestructible and with a glacial growth rate, it can exceed 30 years of age in captivity. Extremely docile, tolerant to extreme climatic variations and a great digger, it is the perfect, albeit chromatically monotonous, 'Pet Rock' for those looking for a rustic and stainless spider.
Ambiente
Terrestre
Umidade
50 - 65 %
Temperatura diurna
24 - 29 °C
Temperatura noturna
20 - 24 °C
Descrição da espécie
Geographic Origin and Habitat: The cited field study was conducted in Big Bend Ranch State Park, Brewster County, Texas, in the northern Chihuahuan Desert, where Aphonopelma hentzi occurred throughout the sampled area. This is a study-area record and not a complete range assessment.
Taxonomy and Genetics: The primary study identifies its focal taxon as Aphonopelma hentzi (Girard, 1854) in Theraphosidae. It is a natural-history study and does not offer a genetic analysis or a new taxonomic revision.
Behaviour and Habits: At the study site, adult females excavated their own burrows or occupied abandoned rodent burrows. Adult males were more frequently found in rock crevices or beneath rocks. The spiders were most active between 20:00 and 01:00 in that study.
Morphology and Sexual Dimorphism: Among the measured adults, females were larger than males in body length and mass, with larger pedipalps and fangs. Males had longer legs and a smaller tibial index. These differences are reported from the sampled study population.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Terrarium setup: In the Trans-Pecos study area, adult females excavated their own burrows or occupied abandoned rodent burrows; adult males were more often found in rock crevices or beneath rocks. These are field observations, not a prescriptive captive-enclosure design.
Lighting and heating: The study found clearly nocturnal activity, highest between 20:00 and 01:00. On one July field date, deep-burrow temperatures remained 26–29 °C even when ground surface reached 59 °C; this is not presented as a captive temperature set point.
Humidity and hydration: The cited field study does not provide a general captive humidity or hydration regime.
Feeding and supplementation: Field observations recorded a broad prey spectrum including beetles, cockroaches, Orthoptera, Lepidoptera and other arachnids. Vertebrate prey was not found in the study area; observations from more southern sites were expressly unpublished.
Compatibility and cohabitation: Staged encounters carried documented mortality: 17 of 84 females grasped and killed a male, and one male was killed in 8 of 24 staged male–male agonistic encounters. These are study results, not a prediction for every encounter.
Health and common diseases: The cited study reports no disease or treatment protocol; it should not be used to infer one.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
Esta espécie é originária de: Stati Uniti (Deserti, praterie aride e steppe dal Texas al Missouri).
Origem
América do Norte
Perfil de invertebrados terrestres
- Dieta
- Carnivore
- Aphonopelma hentzi 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
- 12.5 cm
- Estilo de vida/Microhabitat
- Terrestrial
- Aphonopelma hentzi 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 hentzi 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 most tarantulas, it is strictly solitary and will readily cannibalize conspecifics if given the opportunity. Specimens must be housed individually. The only time they should interact is during carefully monitored mating attempts, which carry a significant risk for the male.
- Reprodução
- Oviparous
- Breeding Aphonopelma hentzi 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 hentzi 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 hentzi 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 hentzi, 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.
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