Mike's Basic Tarantula

A Basic Site for the Tarantula enthusiast

Aphonopelma sp. (Flagstaff)

Common name: Orange Flagstaff

Indigenous: USA, (Arizona)

Habitat: Scrubland,

Temp/humidity: 70°-85° (21.1°-29.4°C) degrees/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 Orange Flagstaff, I give (2) - one-half inch B. dubia roaches or two (2) adult crickets weekly. This species is a good eater and will wrestle with a cricket. It is a sight to behold.

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 1/8" (0.3175cm) 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, it will probably reach a size of three inches (7.62cm) within five years at this growth rate.

Adult Size: I read that they get five inches (12.7cm). Mine are only four inches (10.16cm).

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

Comments: This is another undescribed species. I am a avid collector of the genus Aphonopelma; therefore any new species that I have an opportunity to collect, I will. This is a very delightful species to own. She has not attained her true color as of yet, stay tuned. This tarantula is easy to care for. I expect this to be a long lived species, for most Aphonopelma species are.

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