Aphonopelma

Aphonopelma is a genus of New World tarantulas formally established in 1901 by British arachnologist Reginald Pocock, separating these sturdy, ground-dwelling spiders from earlier “catch-all” groups. Native to the southern United States, Mexico, and Central America, Aphonopelma species have become iconic desert and grassland tarantulas.

Throughout the 1900s the group went through several reclassifications and name changes, but in 1991 an international ruling officially fixed Aphonopelma as the correct and conserved name. Modern genetic and morphological studies, including a major revision in 2016, have clarified which species are truly distinct and added many new ones to the genus.

Today, Aphonopelma includes dozens of slow-growing, long-lived terrestrial tarantulas known for their earthy colors, impressive size, and generally calm dispositions—true “backyard giants” of the American Southwest and beyond.miarid scrublands and grasslands, pink-oak forests, rocky foothills, and coastal chaparral.

Aphonopelma chalcodes

Common Name: Arizona Blonde Tarantula

Origin: Sonoran Desert region of southern Arizona, USA, and adjacent northern Mexico.

Lifestyle: Terrestrial, burrowing tarantula from arid scrub and desert grasslands; spends most of the day in a burrow or hide and is most active at dusk and during the night.

Adult Size: Typical body length around 5–6 cm (2–2.5"); legspan usually 12–15 cm (4.5–6").

Growth Rate: Slow-growing species; females often take several years to mature and can live for decades in captivity.

Temperament: Generally calm and tolerant of disturbance; tends to rely on retreating or flicking urticating hairs before resorting to a defensive posture or bite. Widely regarded as a beginner-friendly New World species.

Color & Appearance: Pale blond to tan carapace and legs, often with darker “sock” markings on the femora; medium-brown abdomen with lighter golden hairs, giving a high-contrast “desert blonde” look. Juveniles are typically darker and gradually lighten with age.

Species History

Aphonopelma chalcodes was formally described in 1940 by arachnologist Ralph V. Chamberlin from desert populations in Arizona, USA, in his classic work on New World tarantulas. Today it’s recognized as a valid species in the genus Aphonopelma, with a natural range focused on the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona and adjacent northern Mexico.

Through the late 20th century, several similar desert tarantulas were described as separate species (Aphonopelma apacheum, A. minchi, A. rothi, A. schmidti, A. stahnkei), often reflecting local color forms such as “New River” or “Flagstaff” blondes. A major 2016 revision of U.S. Aphonopelma used DNA, morphology, and distribution data to show that all of these actually belong to a single, variable species—Aphonopelma chalcodes—and they are now treated as synonyms.

Today, A. chalcodes is one of the best-known North American tarantulas, commonly called the Arizona or desert blonde. With its pale golden carapace, contrasting darker abdomen, gentle temperament, and long lifespan, it has become an iconic “beginner” species in the hobby and an ambassador for the tarantulas of the American Southwest.

Habitat: They create burrows in desert soil and are robust to harsh conditions. They may burrow under rocks or existing holes.

Natural Habitat

The Arizona Blonde Tarantula is native to the arid landscapes of the Sonoran Desert and surrounding dry regions in southern Arizona and northern Mexico. It lives in sparsely vegetated desert scrub and saguaro-dominated communities, where summers are extremely hot, winters can be cold, and rainfall is low and highly seasonal.

In this environment, A. chalcodes is a terrestrial burrower, digging or adopting deep burrows in soft, well-draining soil—often under rocks, plant roots, or old rodent holes—to escape predators, conserve moisture, and buffer temperature extremes. Mostly nocturnal, it typically emerges at night or during the summer rains to hunt insects and other small invertebrates on the desert floor.

Our Specimen

Given name: Chai

Sex: Undetermined

Life stage: Sub-adult:

• Approximately 4 inches

• Generally docile

• Always out in the open

• Very slow growing

• My wife's favorite

Aphonopelma Seemani

Common name: Costa Rican Zebra / Costa Rican Stripe Knee / Striped-knee tarantula

Origin: New World terrestrial species from western Costa Rica and surrounding parts of Central America, including Nicaragua and Honduras, with records also from Guatemala and nearby regions.

Lifestyle: Primarily a terrestrial, fossorial burrower that constructs deep, silk-lined tunnels in open, semi-arid grassland and scrub habitats. In captivity it readily adopts a hide or digs its own burrow and spends much of the day underground.

Adult size: Medium-sized tarantula, typically around 4.5–5.5 in (11–14 cm) diagonal leg span, with some specimens approaching 5–6 in reported in the hobby.

Growth rate: Generally slow to medium growth—not as fast as many arboreals or large South American terrestrials, but steady with regular feeding and warm temperatures.

Temperament: A classic New World species: typically shy and skittish rather than overtly defensive. Most individuals prefer to bolt to their burrow; hair-kicking and bite reports are relatively uncommon, and venom is considered mild, though urticating hairs can be irritating.

Color & appearance: Striking contrast species with a dark brown to black base color and bold cream to white striping on the knees and along the legs, giving the signature “zebra” look. Freshly molted animals often show subtle bluish or steel tones on the legs and carapace, especially in certain lineages

Species History

Aphonopelma seemanni, commonly known as the Costa Rican Zebra or Striped-knee tarantula, was first described in 1897 by British arachnologist F. O. Pickard-Cambridge, who named it in honor of collector Berthold Seemann after specimens from Puerto Culebra, Costa Rica were deposited in the British Museum.

Originally placed in the broad “catch-all” genus Eurypelma, the species has traveled through a shifting taxonomic landscape as mygalomorph spiders were reclassified throughout the 20th century. Later revisions split Eurypelma into several genera, with Aphonopelma erected in 1901. Subsequent work briefly sank multiple genera into Rhechostica, but due to long-standing usage, the name Aphonopelma was conserved and is now the accepted genus for A. seemanni.

In nature, A. seemanni is a fossorial, deep-burrowing tarantula from the Pacific slopes and dry forests of western Costa Rica, extending northward into Nicaragua, Honduras, and likely Guatemala. These spiders occupy semi-arid scrub, grasslands, and disturbed habitats, where their burrows buffer them from heat and nightly temperature drops.

The striking contrast of dark legs with pale “zebra” striping made A. seemanni one of the earliest Central American tarantulas to gain popularity in the pet trade. By the late 20th century it was firmly established as a hardy, long-lived display species in captivity, with both classic brown and darker, bluish local color forms circulating among hobbyists. Today it remains a staple New World species—valued for its bold patterning, natural burrowing behavior, and role as an ambassador to the diverse Aphonopelma genus of Central and North America.

Natural Habitat

In the wild, Aphonopelma seemanni inhabits the dry forests and open scrublands of western Costa Rica and neighboring parts of Central America, including Nicaragua, Honduras, and possibly Guatemala.

This species is primarily terrestrial and fossorial, living in deep, silk-lined burrows that it excavates in compact, well-drained soil. These burrows act as a buffer against the hot, dry daytime conditions and cooler nights, helping the spider maintain stable temperature and humidity.

In its native range, the climate is warm and seasonally dry, with a pronounced rainy season. A. seemanni is often found along the Pacific slope in lowland to premontane zones, where grassy clearings, forest edges, road banks, and disturbed areas provide ideal ground for burrowing.

Our Specimen:

Given name: Mocha

Sex: Undetermined

Life stage: Sub-adult

• Slow grower, reaching adult size

• Frequently out in the open and generally docile

• Consistent eater

• Enjoys digging in the dirt.

• Has a beautiful blue hue after its last molt

Aphonopelma steindachneri

Common name: Steindachner’s Ebony Tarantula

Origin: Southern California (USA) and northern Baja California (Mexico); arid and semi-arid foothills, valleys, and scrub/chaparral habitat.

Lifestyle: Terrestrial burrower. This species appreciates deep substrate to dig or adopt a starter burrow and will spend long periods in its hide, especially during cooler months. Mostly nocturnal, with short, deliberate movements rather than explosive sprints.

Adult Size: Typically around 4.5–5.5 in (11–14 cm) diagonal leg span, with stocky proportions and a solid, “heavy-bodied” look for the genus.

Growth Rate: Slow to moderate. Like most Aphonopelma, they take their time maturing, especially females—great for keepers who enjoy watching a sling gradually develop over several years rather than racing to adulthood.

Temperament: Generally calm, shy, and reclusive. More likely to retreat to the burrow than stand its ground. Rarely defensive when properly respected, making it a reasonable choice for patient beginners and a rewarding species for collectors who appreciate classic New World terrestrials.

Color & Appearance:

• Overall velvety charcoal to jet-black coloration on legs and carapace

• Subtle brown or grey tones on the abdomen in some individuals

• A simple, understated look—no flashy striping—giving it a sleek, almost “matte black” presence in the enclosure

Species History

Aphonopelma steindachneri was first described in 1875 by Austrian arachnologist Anton Ausserer, originally under the name Eurypelma steindachneri based on specimens from California. As tarantula taxonomy developed through the 1900s, the species was shuffled between genera (including Delopelma) before finally being placed in the modern genus Aphonopelma by Andrew Smith in 1995.

For many years, several closely related spiders in Southern California were described as separate species, most notably Aphonopelma reversum and Aphonopelma phanum. In 2016, a major revision of the U.S. Aphonopelma fauna by Hamilton, Hendrixson, and Bond used morphology, DNA, and range data to reassess the group. Their work showed that these “extra” names did not represent distinct species; reversum and phanum were formally synonymized under A. steindachneri, which is now recognized as a single, widespread lineage.

Today Aphonopelma steindachneri—often called Steindachner’s Ebony Tarantula—is known from arid and chaparral habitats across southern California and into Baja California, Mexico, with strong populations around the Los Angeles and San Diego regions. It is considered the sole member of the “steindachneri species group” in the United States, forming a distinct branch within the North American Aphonopelma radiation.

Natural Habitat

In the wild, Aphonopelma steindachneri is native to southern California and northern Baja California, with most records clustered around the Los Angeles and San Diego areas. It occupies arid to semi-arid landscapes, living in self-dug burrows or in existing cracks and holes in the ground.

Within this range, Steindachner’s ebony tarantula is most often associated with low, dry shrublands—the coastal sage scrub and chaparral communities that cover much of the foothills and inland valleys in this region. These habitats are dominated by drought-adapted shrubs on rocky or sandy soils, with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters, creating a strongly seasonal environment close to the ground where this species spends most of its life.

Like other Aphonopelma, it is largely nocturnal, remaining hidden in its burrow by day and emerging at night to hunt. Activity above ground peaks during the summer–fall breeding season (July–October), when wandering mature males can sometimes be seen crossing trails and roads in search of females.

Our Specimen:

Given name: Smoky

Sex: Undetermined

Life stage: Sling to Juvenile

• Approximately 1.75 inches

• Slow and steady growth

• Readily on display

Aphonopelma bicoloratum

Common name : The Mexican Bloodleg, also known as the Mexican Beauty

Origin: New World terrestrial tarantula native to the dry scrub and semi-desert regions of south-western Mexico, along the Pacific side of the country.

Lifestyle: This is a ground-dwelling species that lives in or near burrows in well-drained soil, often under rocks or natural debris. It is largely nocturnal, emerging at night to ambush insects and other small invertebrates. In captivity it behaves as a classic terrestrial display tarantula that appreciates a hide and deep enough substrate to dig.

Adult size : Mexican Bloodlegs are a small-to-medium species, typically reaching about 4–5 in (10–12 cm) diagonal leg span as adults.

Growth rate: Like most Aphonopelma, they are slow-growing, taking several years to mature even under warm, well-fed conditions.

Temperament: A. bicoloratum is widely regarded as docile and calm, more inclined to slowly retreat or occasionally flick urticating hairs than to stand its ground. Bites are considered rare, making this species suitable for keepers who prefer a gentle, low-drama tarantula.

Color & appearance: This species is prized for its striking contrast:

• Legs: rich orange from femur through metatarsus, with darker (often black) tarsi and trochanters

• Carapace: warm orange to golden, matching the legs

• Abdomen (opisthosoma): deep dark brown to black, cloaked in long reddish hairs

Species history

Aphonopelma bicoloratum was formally described in 1996 by Struchen, Brändle & Schmidt after being recognized as a distinct, brightly colored member of the North American genus Aphonopelma in southwestern Mexico. Its scientific name comes from Latin bicoloratum – “two-colored” – a nod to the sharp contrast between its dark body and vivid orange legs.

In the wild, this species occurs in dry forests and scrublands along the Pacific side of south-central Mexico, where it lives in or near burrows in sandy, well-drained soil. As the tarantula hobby expanded through the 1990s and 2000s, the “Mexican bloodleg” or “Mexican beauty” became sought after for its unique coloration and calm demeanor, but remained relatively uncommon due to slow growth and limited breeding compared with more common Mexican species.

Today, A. bicoloratum is established in captive breeding programs and is valued as a long-lived, display-worthy New World terrestrial. Its history in the hobby includes frequent confusion with the similarly colored Brachypelma boehmei, but improved taxonomic work and responsible breeding have made authentic bloodlegs easier to obtain while helping reduce pressure on wild populations.

Natural habitat

In the wild, Aphonopelma bicoloratum is found in the dry savannas, deserts, and scrublands of south-western Mexico, particularly in states such as Puebla, Morelos, and Guerrero. This region has hot, relatively stable temperatures (around 22 °C on average) with modest annual rainfall, creating open landscapes dotted with hardy plants like agave, yucca, and prickly pear cactus.

Bloodlegs spend most of their lives close to the ground in or near burrows in sandy, well-drained soil—often under rocks, at the base of shrubs, or in abandoned animal holes. From these retreats they emerge mainly at night to hunt insects and other small invertebrates, playing an important role in controlling local insect populations within their desert and scrub ecosystems.

Our Specimen:

Given name: Flame

Sex: Undetermined

Life stage: Sling

• Approximately 3.25 inches

• Slow but steady growth

• Surprisingly threw up a threat posture recently

• Flame was almost dead on arrival but we have rehabituated him/her

Aphonopelma johnnycashi

Common Name: Johnny Cash Tarantula

Origin: Native to central California, USA, especially the western Sierra Nevada foothills and nearby Central Valley/foothill regions.

Lifestyle: Primarily terrestrial and burrowing. This species spends most of its time in or near its burrow, using natural cracks, rodent holes, or self-dug retreats. It is nocturnal, emerging at night to ambush insects and other small invertebrates.

Adult Size: Adults typically reach around 4.5–6 in (11–15 cm) leg span, with females being bulkier and longer-lived than males.

Growth Rate: Slow to moderate. Like most North American Aphonopelma, they grow steadily but take several years to reach maturity, especially females.

Temperament: Generally calm and reclusive. More likely to retreat into the burrow or give a warning pose than to bite. Venom is considered mild and medically insignificant for most people, but urticating hairs can still cause irritation.

Color & Appearance: Mature males are predominantly black, which inspired the Johnny Cash “Man in Black” namesake. Females and juveniles tend to be darker brown to gray-brown, with a more robust, stocky build and dense leg hair typical of Aphonopelma species. Overall, they have a classic, understated “North American earth tarantula” look with a dark, earthy palette.

Species History

Discovered during a decade-long revision of North American Aphonopelma, Aphonopelma johnnycashi was formally described in 2016 by Chris A. Hamilton and colleagues as one of 14 new tarantula species uncovered in the United States.

The species was first recognized from specimens collected near Folsom State Prison in California, a location made famous by Johnny Cash’s song and live album Folsom Prison Blues. In tribute, the new tarantula was named A. johnnycashi—a nod both to that connection and to the mature males’ mostly black coloration, echoing Cash’s “Man in Black” image.

A. johnnycashi* belongs to the Aphonopelma iodius species group and is distinguished from close relatives using a combination of morphology, DNA data, and geographic range.

Today it’s known from the western Sierra Nevada foothills and surrounding parts of central California, where it inhabits semi-arid landscapes and helps control insect populations as a native ground-dwelling predator.

Natural Habitat

Aphonopelma johnnycashi is native to central California, where it lives in the plains and foothills along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It occurs in dry grasslands, oak woodlands, and scrubby foothill habitats within the Sierra Nevada, Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains, and parts of the Central Valley.

This is a terrestrial, burrowing species that spends most of its life in or near its underground retreat. In the wild it uses loose, rocky or compacted soils to dig burrows or adopt existing cracks and rodent holes, emerging mainly at night to hunt insects and other small invertebrates.

Our Specimen:

Given name: June

Sex: Female

Life stage: Adult

• New addition to our collection