Aphonopelma moderatum (Rio Grande Gold Tarantula)

Aphonopelma moderatum (Rio Grande Gold Tarantula)

The Rio Grande Gold Tarantula, or Aphonopelma moderatum, is a desert tarantula from the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. Adults of this species have a warm golden orange base color across the legs, carapace (head) and abdomen, with contrasting black knees and patellae. 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 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 or well-started sling.

Why do hobbyists keep Aphonopelma moderatum?

• Golden Orange Coloration: This species shows a warm golden orange base color across the legs, carapace and abdomen, with contrasting black knees and patellae.
• 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: This species reaches into South Texas, and that US range makes it one that still gets pulled from the wild despite being straightforward to breed in captivity. Every one of ours is captive bred instead. There is no ecological need to collect from the wild when captive-bred slings hatch out every year, and buying captive bred supports breeders rather than pulling animals out of their home range. 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 moderatum 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?

• 0.25" Spiderling: our most affordable entry into this species, well before the golden orange coloration comes in.
• 1.00" Well-Started Sling: a well-started sling around two years old, past the earliest, most delicate stage.

Are there any additional notes or considerations?

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