SPIDERS

Desert Tarantula, Aphonopelma chalcodes

Order: Araneae (Spiders)

Size: Up to 2 1⁄2"

Habitat: Deserts

Range: Southwestern United States

Desert Tarantulas are large, fearsome-looking spiders, covered in long, dense hairs, that live in the extreme heat and dryness of deserts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Southern California. The females are light brown overall, while the males are dark brown on the abdomen and have black leg bases. During the day they keep under rocks or use burrows made by rodents. They emerge at night to hunt for a variety of insects or small lizards, which they subdue with large fangs and mild venom. Although feared by many, bites are not more serious than a common bee sting, and bristly hairs on the abdomen can break off and cause skin irritation. Female desert tarantulas can live for up to twenty years, and are sometimes kept as pets. The male is illustrated.