Aphonopelma chalcodes ( Arizona Blonde Tarantula )Tucson Local

Aphonopelma chalcodes (Arizona Blonde Tarantula, Tucson Locality)

The Arizona Blonde Tarantula (Tucson Locality), or Aphonopelma chalcodes, is a desert tarantula from the Sonoran Desert of Arizona and New Mexico, extending into adjacent parts of Sonora, Mexico. Adults of this species have blonde legs and a blonde carapace (head) set against darker brown femurs and a darker brown abdomen, creating a high contrast brown and blonde look. 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 6 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 or juvenile.

Why do hobbyists keep Aphonopelma chalcodes?

• Brown And Blonde Coloration: This species pairs blonde legs and a blonde carapace with darker brown femurs and abdomen, the classic high contrast brown and blonde look this locality is known for.
• 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.
• Captive Bred, Not Wild: Being one of the only tarantulas native to the US makes this species popular, and unfortunately that popularity means wild-caught adults still turn up at expos and online. Every one of ours is captive bred instead. There is no ecological need to collect from the wild since captive-bred slings hatch out in the US every year, and buying captive bred supports breeders rather than pulling females out of the desert. If you ever see a full grown adult of this species selling online for well under $100, that price alone is usually a sign it was wild collected rather than captive bred.

How should Aphonopelma chalcodes 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 desert 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?

• 0.5" Spiderling: our most affordable entry into this locality, well before the brown and blonde coloration comes in.
• 1-1.5" Juvenile: past the earliest, most delicate stage, with the classic coloration starting to show.

Are there any additional notes or considerations?

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