Common Name: Rio Grande Gold Tarantula

Scientific Name: Aphonopelma moderatum

Size: up to 4.5 inches (12 cm) in total length

Description:

The Rio Grande Gold Tarantula is perhaps the most beautiful tarantula found native to the United States. The body is a light brown or tan coloration and the legs are a much lighter blonde or gold color. Rio Grande Gold Tarantulas are sexually dimorphic. Males are smaller darker animals; the females are the more beautifully colored animals. In the very near future, the scientific name of this species will most likely be modified to Aphonopelma texensis.

Behavior:

Mostly nocturnal animals, tarantulas are proficient predators of insects and other small invertebrates. Rio Grande Gold Tarantulas are often found living in small groups or colonies. We have observed them being active on the surface during the night, but for the most part find them at the entrance to their burrows.

Habitat:

Typical habitat for Rio Grande Gold Tarantulas is the arid regions of Western Texas. We have observed numerous specimens along regions of limestone bluffs in Val Verde County over the past several years.

Prey

Food in the wild includes any invertebrate that these tarantulas can overpower.

Captive Care:

Rio Grande Gold Tarantulas are fairly easy to keep in captivity. A five-gallon terrarium with an escape proof lid works very well as a basic cage for these tarantulas. These animals are not prone to climb; the cage lid is used to keep other pets from going into the cage. These tarantulas, like most tarantulas, are best kept by themselves. A hide area is also used by these spiders and may improve feeding response. A substrate of sand or vermiculite (or a sand/vermiculite mixture) works very well with this arid-adapted species. Temperature should be kept between 70 °F and 85 F. We cool our Rio Grande Gold Tarantula for three months during the winter. During that time, we do not feed the animal. An under-cage heater works well to maintain warmer temperatures during the cool times of year. Only place the heater under one side of the cage to allow the spider a range of temperatures from which it can select. During times of molt, the cage humidity should be increased by adding water to the substrate. Water should be provided to Rio Grande Gold Tarantulas at all times via a shallow water dish.