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Mike's Basic Tarantula

A Basic Site for the Tarantula enthusiast

Aphonopelma marxi

Common name: Grand Canyon Black

Indigenous: USA, Arizona

Habitat: Desert, scrubland

Temp/humidity: 70°-85° (21.1°-29.4°C)/55%-70% humidity I keep this species temperature at 80° (26.6°C) degrees and the humidity at 65%.

Enclosure: Use an terrarium that will allow at least four inches (10.16cm) 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 Grand Canyon Black, I give two (2) one-half inch (1.27cm) B. dubia roaches or 2 adult crickets weekly. This species is a good eater.

Water Requirements: I keep a water dish in the tank. I have never seen mine drink. I keep the substrate in the terrarium dry.

Growth Rate: The growth rate of this species is slow. I purchased this tarantula as a spiderling of 1/4" (0.635cm) in size. After the first year she had only grown to one inch (2.54cm). With constant feeding and with temperatures in the low 80's, they should reach a size of three inches (7.62cm) within five years. After she attained a leg length of three inches (7.62cm), they tend to stay outside their burrow.

Adult Size: I read that they get five inches (12.7cm). Mine is only three inches (7.62cm).

Temperament: This is a docile species. It has never kicked hair at me nor given a threat pose.

Comments: This is very delightful species to own. The carapace is grey, with black legs, the abdomen has some red hair on it, which makes it an attractive species. This T is easy to care for. You will have to kill or sell this tarantula to get rid of it. This is a long lived companion.

All photos on this website are courtesy of Mike Basic Tarantula unless stated otherwise. It's prohibited to copy without permission of author.