Animal Profiles
Arachnids

Tarantula

Theraphosidae

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Tarantulas are large, hairy spiders. This account describes the Arizona blond tarantula (Aphonopelma chalcodes), a desert species that shelters in a burrow.

Arizona blond tarantula (Aphonopelma chalcodes), the representative described here.

Arizona blond tarantula (Aphonopelma chalcodes), the representative described here.

Greg Schechter from San Francisco, USA · CC BY

At a glance

Location
Arizona blond tarantulas live in the southwestern United States, especially desert environments.
Habitat
Desert
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Insects and other small animals provide prey.

Classification

Common name
Tarantula
Browse group
Arachnids
Scientific name or taxon
Theraphosidae
Taxon rank
family
Order
Araneae
Family
Theraphosidae
Source classification
Arachnida

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • It has eight walking legs.
  • A burrow provides daytime shelter.
  • It hunts small animals.

Habitat and range

Arizona blond tarantulas live in the southwestern United States, especially desert environments. Burrows beneath stones or in soil provide shelter from daytime heat and predators.

Appearance and adaptations

A hairy body carries eight legs and prominent mouthparts. Mature males and females differ in build and coloration; the front body region bears the eyes and legs.

Diet and behaviour

Insects and other small animals provide prey. The spider usually shelters through the day and becomes more active after sunset, when conditions are cooler and many prey animals are moving.

Sources

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