Aphonopelma chalcodes
Size: approx 4 in. (legspan)
Date: 7/14/01
Other names: Desert tarantula
Notes: Males are short lived and do not molt after maturity. Females continue to molt and may live 20 - 35 years (in captivity). Nocturnal, they hunt at night by touch. Reluctant to attack humans; venom no more poisonous than that of a bee.