# Aphonopelma

Aphonopelma is a type of tarantula known for its fuzzy body and long legs. These spiders are gentle and often found in warm places, making them interesting to watch.

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 2/5 · Low
- **Habitat:** Desert

![Aphonopelma](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 is a robust, hairy tarantula often sporting earthy tones like brown, black, or tan. Some species display hints of red or metallic iridescence on their legs or carapace, making them distinct from smoother spiders.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Arachnida
- **Order:** Araneae
- **Family:** Theraphosidae
- **Genus:** Aphonopelma

## Interesting facts

- If an Aphonopelma loses a leg, it can grow a new one back when it sheds its skin!
- Some female Aphonopelma can live longer than your grandma's oldest pet!
- Their fangs inject venom, but it's usually less harmful to humans than a bee sting.
- They feel the world through vibrations in the ground, detecting prey without seeing them.

## Special abilities

- **Burrow Master:** Aphonopelma can dig intricate underground burrows to hide from predators and regulate its body temperature.
- **Hair Missile Defense:** Aphonopelma has urticating hairs on its abdomen that can be kicked off to irritate attackers, like a prickly shield!
- **Silk Engineer:** Aphonopelma uses strong silk to line its burrow, construct trapdoors, and create a soft mat for laying eggs.

## Measurements & details

- **Size:** 30-80 mm
- **Lifespan:** 730-10950 days
- **Leg Count:** 8

## Diet & Feeding

Aphonopelma are ambush hunters that primarily feast on insects and other small creatures.

- **Primary Foods:** crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, other spiders, small lizards
- **Foraging Method:** Ambush

## Ecological connections

- **Eats:** [Field Cricket](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-cricket) (*Gryllus assimilis*) — A common insect prey for hungry tarantulas.
- **Parasitizes:** Tarantula Hawk Wasp (*Pepsis formosa*) — A fearsome wasp that paralyzes tarantulas to lay eggs on them.
- **Eaten by:** [Greater Roadrunner](https://www.snappit.app/explore/greater-roadrunner) (*Geococcyx californianus*) — A fast bird that can snatch up a wandering tarantula.

## 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.
- [Web Builder](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/web-builder): This trait characterizes organisms that construct elaborate silken webs for catching prey, shelter, or reproduction.
- [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.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [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.

## Collections

- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects)

## Safety

**Danger:** 2/5 · Low

Always watch spiders from a distance and never try to touch them.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Aphonopelma?

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?

30-80 mm

### How long does Aphonopelma live?

730-10950 days

### What does Aphonopelma eat?

Aphonopelma are ambush hunters that primarily feast on insects and other small creatures.

### Where is Aphonopelma usually found?

Desert

### How does Aphonopelma hunt?

Ambush

### How many legs does Aphonopelma have?

8

## 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*)

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Source: [Aphonopelma: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/aphonopelma)