Home / Tarantulas / Grand Canyon Black Tarantula (Aphonopelma marxi)

Grand Canyon Black Tarantula (Aphonopelma marxi)

Meet the Grand Canyon black tarantula! This special spider calls the dry areas of Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico its home. We’ve put together some fun facts about this desert-loving spider for you to discover.

Scientific Classification

Aphonopelma Marxi

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

  • Size: Male: 0.83 to 1.05 cm Female: 1.35-1.53 cm
  • Color: They are dark brown or black, with orange or red hairs on their abdomen.
  • Other Characteristic Features: Females tend to be much larger than the males.

Eggs

After mating, the fertilized female will lay her eggs in a burrow, constantly under her protection.

Spiderlings

The spiderlings are yellow with a black abdomen initially before maturing to resemble the adults.

The Web

Being ambush predators, this tarantula does not use its webbing to catch prey. However, it does leave a silk strand at the entrance of its burrow to warn it of any forced entry.

Are Grand Canyon Black Tarantulas Venomous?

Yes, Grand Canyon black tarantulas have venom. They use it mainly to catch and eat their prey. For humans, their venom is usually not harmful.

Can Grand Canyon Black Tarantulas Bite?

They sure can! While they mostly keep to themselves, they might bite if they feel scared. Remember to admire their beauty from a safe distance.

Grand Canyon Black Tarantula

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Grand Canyon Black Tarantula

The Grand Canyon black tarantula plays an integral role in its ecosystem. As predators, they help control the populations of their prey, aiding in the maintenance of a balanced food web.

Natural Predators: Despite their venomous defense, these tarantulas are preyed upon by larger desert animals, such as birds of prey and coyotes, which keep their populations in check.

Prey-Predator Dynamics: Their hunting strategies not only showcase the adaptability of tarantulas to arid climates but also help manage populations of insects and small vertebrates, contributing to the ecological balance in their habitats.

Relationship with Humans: Humans and Grand Canyon black tarantulas coexist with minimal direct interaction. While they are a fascination for scientists and the public alike, it is crucial to respect their space in the wild.

Quick Facts

LifespanMales: 8-10 years old, Females: 20-25 years old
DistributionThe “Four Corners” region of the US (northern Arizona, southwestern Colorado, northwestern New Mexico, and southeastern Utah)
HabitatDeserts and other arid regions
DietBirds, centipedes, insects, lizards, and rodents

Did You Know

  • French naturalist Eugène Louis Simon first described this species in 1891.
  • At one time, Aphonopelma behlei and A. vogelae were considered separate species but are nowadays considered the same as the Grand Canyon black tarantula.

In conclusion, the Grand Canyon black tarantula is a key desert predator with a non-threatening presence, vital to ecological balance.

Meet the Grand Canyon black tarantula! This special spider calls the dry areas of Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico its home. We’ve put together some fun facts about this desert-loving spider for you to discover.

Aphonopelma Marxi

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

  • Size: Male: 0.83 to 1.05 cm Female: 1.35-1.53 cm
  • Color: They are dark brown or black, with orange or red hairs on their abdomen.
  • Other Characteristic Features: Females tend to be much larger than the males.

Eggs

After mating, the fertilized female will lay her eggs in a burrow, constantly under her protection.

Spiderlings

The spiderlings are yellow with a black abdomen initially before maturing to resemble the adults.

The Web

Being ambush predators, this tarantula does not use its webbing to catch prey. However, it does leave a silk strand at the entrance of its burrow to warn it of any forced entry.

Are Grand Canyon Black Tarantulas Venomous?

Yes, Grand Canyon black tarantulas have venom. They use it mainly to catch and eat their prey. For humans, their venom is usually not harmful.

Can Grand Canyon Black Tarantulas Bite?

They sure can! While they mostly keep to themselves, they might bite if they feel scared. Remember to admire their beauty from a safe distance.

Grand Canyon Black Tarantula

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Grand Canyon Black Tarantula

The Grand Canyon black tarantula plays an integral role in its ecosystem. As predators, they help control the populations of their prey, aiding in the maintenance of a balanced food web.

Natural Predators: Despite their venomous defense, these tarantulas are preyed upon by larger desert animals, such as birds of prey and coyotes, which keep their populations in check.

Prey-Predator Dynamics: Their hunting strategies not only showcase the adaptability of tarantulas to arid climates but also help manage populations of insects and small vertebrates, contributing to the ecological balance in their habitats.

Relationship with Humans: Humans and Grand Canyon black tarantulas coexist with minimal direct interaction. While they are a fascination for scientists and the public alike, it is crucial to respect their space in the wild.

Quick Facts

LifespanMales: 8-10 years old, Females: 20-25 years old
DistributionThe “Four Corners” region of the US (northern Arizona, southwestern Colorado, northwestern New Mexico, and southeastern Utah)
HabitatDeserts and other arid regions
DietBirds, centipedes, insects, lizards, and rodents

Did You Know

  • French naturalist Eugène Louis Simon first described this species in 1891.
  • At one time, Aphonopelma behlei and A. vogelae were considered separate species but are nowadays considered the same as the Grand Canyon black tarantula.

In conclusion, the Grand Canyon black tarantula is a key desert predator with a non-threatening presence, vital to ecological balance.