The Aphonopelma belongs to the tarantula family, indigenous to parts of North America, Central America, and northern Mexico. The World Spider Catalog accepted 58 species of this genus as per the records of April 2019.
Size: Most of them are about 14 cm to 15 cm (5.5 inches to 5.90 inches) long with a leg span of approximately 16 cm (6.29 inches).
Color: Most of them have a black or brown body and look similar.
Other Characteristic Features: Themajority of the species belonging to this genus has urticating hairs.
The eggs, laid in burrows are protected by the mother.
The spiderlings remain with their mother for a while after hatching. Eventually, they move on to make burrows of their own.
They do not spin webs but guard the entrance of their homes with silk for capturing prey.
Though fearful in appearance, they are not harmful to humans and bite when provoked.
Lifespan | Females: 20 to 40 years Males: 5 to 15 years |
Distribution | North America, Central America, North Mexico |
Habitat | Grasslands, burrows, abandoned dens, and deserts |
Predators | Wasps, birds, snakes, coyotes, lizards |
Diet | Cockroach, beetle, mantise, grasshopper, and cricket |
Image Credits: arachnoiden.com
The Aphonopelma belongs to the tarantula family, indigenous to parts of North America, Central America, and northern Mexico. The World Spider Catalog accepted 58 species of this genus as per the records of April 2019.
Size: Most of them are about 14 cm to 15 cm (5.5 inches to 5.90 inches) long with a leg span of approximately 16 cm (6.29 inches).
Color: Most of them have a black or brown body and look similar.
Other Characteristic Features: Themajority of the species belonging to this genus has urticating hairs.
The eggs, laid in burrows are protected by the mother.
The spiderlings remain with their mother for a while after hatching. Eventually, they move on to make burrows of their own.
They do not spin webs but guard the entrance of their homes with silk for capturing prey.
Though fearful in appearance, they are not harmful to humans and bite when provoked.
Lifespan | Females: 20 to 40 years Males: 5 to 15 years |
Distribution | North America, Central America, North Mexico |
Habitat | Grasslands, burrows, abandoned dens, and deserts |
Predators | Wasps, birds, snakes, coyotes, lizards |
Diet | Cockroach, beetle, mantise, grasshopper, and cricket |
Image Credits: arachnoiden.com