Mike's Basic Tarantula
A Basic Site for the Tarantula enthusiast
Aphonopelma anax
Common name: Texas Brown
Indigenous: USA, (Texas)
Habitat: The Southwest United States climate is semiarid to arid. This area encompassed southern inland California, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Nevada and Texas.
The arid (desert) area receives less than 250 mm (10 in) of rainfall annually. During the day temperatures are high. In the evening, temperatures drop quickly, resulting in great variations in temperature within a 24-hour period. Winter is brief and mild. Summer is long and scorching hot. Temperatures during the hottest months average from 29° C - 35° C (from 85° F - 95° F), and the midday readings of 40° C - 43° C (105° F - 110° F). The winter daily maximum usually averages 18° C - 24° C (65° F - 75° F). Winter nights are chilly, averaging 7° C - 13° C (45° F - 55° F).
The coastal Southwest summers are dry and winters are rainy, but pleasant. Summer temperatures range from 20°- 28.9° C (68° - 84° F), and winter temperatures are 4° - 10° C (40° - 50° F). The average precipitation of 360 mm - 640 mm (14 in - 26 in) per year occurs during the cool winter season. Summer months are dry.
Plants and animals that live in deserts have adapted to the arid condition so that they require less water. During the daytime, many critters burrow into the ground to avoid the blistering sun heat and then come out at night to feed.
Temp/humidity: 70°-85° (21.1°-29.4°C)/55%-70% humidity I keep this species temperature at 80° (26.6°C) and the humidity at 65%.
Enclosure: Use a terrarium that will allow at least four inches of substrate
Substrate: I use four inches (10.16cm) of substrate. (I use a mixture of peat moss, vermiculite, coconut fiber and dirt for firmness, as the substrate).
Retreat/Hide: Place a bark for a starter burrow hide
Food Consumption: I fed my new born spiderlings fruit flies, than when they reached 1/2" (1.27cm) I introduced baby crickets. My sub-adult Texas Tan, I give one inch (3.54cm) B. dubia roaches or 5 adult crickets weekly. This species is a good eater. I also give her one pinkie-mouse or a house gecko once a year for variety.
Water Requirements: I keep a water dish in the tank. I have never seen mine drink. I also keep the substrate in the terrarium dry.
Growth Rate: The growth rate of this species is slow. I purchased this tarantula as a juvenile of three inches (7.62cm) size.
Adult Size: I read that they get five (12.7cm) inches. Mine is only four inches (10.16cm).
Temperament: This is a docile species. It has never kicked hair at me nor given a threat pose.
Comments: This is a good beginner species to own. For school presentations, and children, this is definitely a first choice. The carapace is tan, the abdomen and legs are a even chocolate brown in color, which make it an attractive specie.  This T is easy to care for. You will have to kill or sell this tarantula to get rid of it. You will probably need to put this species in your will, for it is a long lived spider.

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