Mexican Blood-leg Tarantula

(Aphonopelma bicoloratum)

Description:  The Mexican Bloo-leg Tarantula is a terrestrial species. They are relatively small, growing to about 3 1/2 to 5 inches.  A unique thing about this species is the males, upon maturity, loose all the orange and gold markings, and become completely black! Although this tarantual does not grow very large, it makes up for its size in beauty.

Distribution: These tarantulas are native to the scrubland and desert of Mexico and South Texas. As with most desert dwelling tarantulas, they are nomads living solitary lives.

Diet: These nocturnal hunters eat a variety of invertebrate prey. In captivity, they'll eat cockroaches, crickets, superworms and occasionally pinky mice.

Other: ALL tarantulas have a certain amount of venom.  Although most people are not affected by these species, some people may be allergic to the venom, or just more sensitive.  This is one of the reasons that people should not handle tarantulas. Also, New World species of tarantulas like these can flick urticating hairs off of their abdomens, which can also cause a reaction.