Aphonopelma bicoloratum (Mexican Blood Leg Tarantula)

Aphonopelma bicoloratum (Mexican Blood Leg Tarantula)

The Mexican Blood Leg Tarantula, or Aphonopelma bicoloratum, is a scrubland tarantula from Puebla, Mexico. Adults of this species have red orange legs and a red orange carapace (head), with black femurs and a bronze abdomen. Spiderlings do not start out colorful and the adult colors come in around 2 to 2.5 inches, while the species only grows to about 4.5 inches in diagonal leg span. Like others in the genus, along with Brachypelma, this species lives a long time, with females living 20 to 30 years while males live 3 to 5 years. This species is also very calm and forgiving, and one we recommend for beginner keepers or anyone who wants an easier keeping experience. Grab this docile new world tarantula for sale today, offered here as a spiderling, juvenile, or sexed adult.

Why do hobbyists keep Aphonopelma bicoloratum?

• Orange And Black Coloration: This species pairs red orange legs and a red orange carapace with black femurs and a bronze abdomen, a striking combination once the color comes in.
• Docile Temperament: This species is slow moving and very deliberate, not particularly skittish, and docile on top of that.
• Great Beginner Species: A calm temperament and forgiving care needs make this one of the easiest Aphonopelma for a first-time keeper.
• Great Display Species: This species stays out in the open on the surface rather than staying hidden below ground, so there is usually something to see.
• Uncommon In The Hobby: This is a genuinely uncommon species in the hobby, harder to source than most Aphonopelma and worth grabbing when it is in stock.

How should Aphonopelma bicoloratum be kept?

• Enclosure: Sized in three stages so the enclosure is never bigger than the animal needs at each point in its growth. Good ventilation is critical. Cross ventilation works best, but ample top ventilation can also be effective as long as the enclosure is not over-misted. Exact dimensions for each size are on that size's own page.
• Rehousing: Each size page states the remaining cage sizes and roughly how long each one lasts at this species' growth rate.
• Temperature: Keep this species between 65 and 75°F, in line with the arid scrubland range it comes from. Typical indoor room temperature works well without any extra heating.
• Humidity: Water it and let it dry rather than keeping it damp. Aim for substrate that dries out within about a day after you add moisture, and never let it sit soaking.
• Water: A shallow textured water dish works well, something they can grip when climbing out.
• Diet: We recommend prey size from a pinhead cricket up to a cricket about a quarter the length of the leg span, depending on the size you choose. Feed at least once a week at every stage, spiderlings included.
• Temperament: Docile and unlikely to act defensively, more likely to retreat than stand its ground when startled.

Which size should I choose?

• 0.2-0.5" Spiderling: our most affordable entry into this uncommon species, well before the orange and black coloration comes in.
• 1.5" Juvenile: past the earliest, most delicate stage, with the coloration starting to show.
• 1.5-2" Juvenile: a slightly further along juvenile, with the coloration already showing.
• 2.5" Male: a confirmed male, well along in growth with the coloration already in.
• 3.5" Adult Female: a confirmed adult female with the full coloration and years of display ahead of her.
• 3.50" Female: a confirmed female at full adult size, with the complete coloration already in.
• 3.5-4" Mature Female: a confirmed mature adult female at the top of this species' size range.
• 3.50-4" Female: another confirmed mature female, a full grown adult ready for display.

Are there any additional notes or considerations?

• Captive Bred: All tarantulas at Exotics Unlimited are captive bred.