Defining Characteristics:

• Long-lived
• Docile
• Prey item of the tarantula hawk wasp

Name: Aphonopelma chalcodes: Arizona desert, western desert, Arizona blonde, or Mexican blonde tarantula, the scientific name is derived from the roots aphono- meaning "without sound", -pelma meaning "foot", and chalco- meaning brass, a reference to the coloration of the tarantulas hairs. Their common names are variously references to the areas where the tarantulas are present, as well as to their color.

Recommended Enclosure Size: For adults, the ideal size enclosure is 5 gallons, with a maximum size of 10 gallons. Terrarium should be filled with at least 3 inches of substrate and be given an object (a piece of cork bark, for example) to shelter under. This species typically burrows into the substrate. ABG mix, coco cradle, or Dig-It are good substrate options, but our Pet Bug Team prefers ABG all the way! 

A non-mesh lid should be used if available as adventurous tarantulas may climb their way up onto the mesh, get their legs entangled, and lose limbs as a result.

Temperature (°F): The ideal temperature range for this species is 75-85°. Temperatures regularly dipping below 65 degrees or spiking above 85 degrees should be avoided. A reliable thermometer is strongly recommended.

Humidity: This species does not require any supplemental humidity. However a water dish should be given for it, being of a size small and shallow enough to not pose a drowning risk to the tarantula.

Size: At the time of sale, this animal will be at least 1/2 an inch. They can grow up to 5 inches. Males have smaller bodies but longer legs relative to their bodies.

Age: Lives up to 24 years in females, 12 years in males. Reach maturity in 10-12 years.

Feeding: Drosophila melanogaster or D. hydei fruit flies. As your spider grows, there are a variety of appropriate prey items that you can offer, such as roaches, waxworms, black soldier fly larvae, hornworms, and silkworms. We recommend that the prey items not be much longer than the tarantula's “head” is wide. Larvae are an exception—our larvae are harmless. Since they are very high in fat, they're not the best staple diet, however they make a great weight gain supplement.

Consider feeding your prey items with our gutload formula to give your pet well-rounded nutrition.

Remove uneaten prey items after 24 hours, these may stress your animal out or endanger the spider during molting. Never attempt to feed a freshly molted tarantula less than a week after their molt to prevent injury to the spider. Depending on its age, the hardening process could take anywhere from 48 hours all the way up to a week.

Sexing: Males are generally thinner and lankier than females. Due to their age, Arizona desert tarantulas sold by Josh's Frogs are sold as unsexed animals.

Color/Pattern: The spiderlings sold by Josh’s Frogs are a uniform grayish color with a barely perceptible coat of fine hairs on their bodies. As an adult the spider’s hair lengthens and gains a golden or sandy coloration over most of its body while its abdomen and femur appears mostly a dark brown.

Social Behavior: Spiders should be kept singly. Attempts at cohabitation will likely result in cannibalism. 

Breeding: This species is difficult to breed in captivity as they take 10-12 years just to reach sexual maturity. On top of that, the male of the species only lives a few months more after accomplishing this. The female on the other hand gets to live for another 10-12 years. Most sources selling them collect them from the wild. If done, a male is introduced into the female’s enclosure, and if they are in the mood the male will grasp the female’s fangs with his tibial hooks and inseminate her. Once completed, the male should be removed immediately as the female may otherwise attempt to eat him.

If the copulation was properly achieved the female will produce an egg sac. This will need to be removed from the terrarium after about 1 month and transferred to an incubator. When the eggs are near hatching the sac should be carefully slit open and the eggs/spiderlings removed.

Natural Range: Predominantly desert regions in Arizona and Mexico.

Links of Interest:

• Arachnoboards: a community of spider enthusiasts that will be able to or have already answered almost any question you can think of with regards to tarantulas.

Still not sure if the Arizona blonde tarantula from Josh's Frogs is the right pet bug for you? Read the reviews below and see what other customers are saying!