# Aphonopelma chalcodes The Aphonopelma chalcodes, also known as the Arizona blonde tarantula, is a big, furry spider that lives in the desert. They are gentle and mostly stay in their burrows, coming out at night to hunt for food. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Desert - **Also known as:** Arizona Blonde Tarantula ![Aphonopelma chalcodes](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Aphonopelma_chalcodes.jpg&width=800) Photo: Snake collector, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aphonopelma_chalcodes.jpg) ## Appearance The Aphonopelma chalcodes is a medium-sized tarantula, often called the Desert Blonde due to its pale, sandy-colored body and legs. Females are typically lighter, displaying a golden-blonde hue, while males are darker, almost black. Its entire body is covered in fine, velvety hairs. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Arachnida - **Order:** Araneae - **Family:** Theraphosidae - **Genus:** Aphonopelma ## Interesting facts - Males are often nearly black, a striking contrast to the blonde females! - Their bite is typically milder than a common bee or wasp sting. - These desert dwellers can go for many months without eating a single meal! - They are often called 'Desert Blondes' for their beautiful pale coloring. ## Special abilities - **Hair Flick Defense:** Aphonopelma chalcodes can flick tiny, irritating hairs from its abdomen that helps them defend against predators. - **Venomous Bite:** Aphonopelma chalcodes has fangs that deliver mild venom that helps them quickly paralyze insect prey. - **Silk Weaver:** Aphonopelma chalcodes can produce silk that helps them line burrows and create alarm tripwires for hunting prey. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 50-70 mm - **Lifespan:** 9125-10950 days - **Leg Count:** 8 ## Diet & Feeding Aphonopelma chalcodes mainly eats insects and other small creatures it ambushes from its burrow. - **Age differences:** Younger tarantulas eat smaller insects, while adults can tackle larger prey. - **Primary Foods:** crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, moths, small lizards - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Tarantula Hawk Wasp (*Pepsis formosa*) — This large wasp paralyzes and lays eggs on tarantulas. - **Eaten by:** [Greater Roadrunner](https://www.snappit.app/explore/greater-roadrunner) (*Geococcyx californianus*) — Roadrunners are fast desert birds that prey on spiders. - **Hunts:** [field cricket](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-cricket) (*Gryllus assimilis*) — An important food source for the tarantula in its desert habitat. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always watch from a distance and never try to touch or catch a tarantula. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Aphonopelma chalcodes? Compare body proportions, leg shape, abdomen markings and the web, if there is one. Eye arrangement can be decisive but rarely shows up in a casual phone photo. A web is a supporting clue, not proof of who built it. Spider Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How big is Aphonopelma chalcodes? 50-70 mm ### How long does Aphonopelma chalcodes live? 9125-10950 days ### What does Aphonopelma chalcodes eat? Aphonopelma chalcodes mainly eats insects and other small creatures it ambushes from its burrow. ### Where is Aphonopelma chalcodes usually found? Desert ### How does Aphonopelma chalcodes hunt? Ambush ### How many legs does Aphonopelma chalcodes have? 8 ## Where to spot - [Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arizona-sonora-desert-museum) — Arizona, US · Zoo - [Tohono Chul](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tohono-chul) — Arizona, US · Botanical Garden ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Aphonopelma chalcodes: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/aphonopelma-chalcodes)