Arizona blonde tarantula (Aphonopelma chalcodes)
Invertebrates · Difficulty: Beginner
Key facts and care guidance for Arizona blonde tarantula (Aphonopelma chalcodes) (origin: Arizona, northern Mexico – the Sonoran Desert). Adult size around body 5–6 cm, leg span 12–14 cm. Life expectancy females 25–30 years, males only a few years after reaching maturity (about 5–10 years in total). The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Arizona blonde tarantula: How big does the enclosure need to be?
30×30×30 cm.
Arizona blonde tarantula: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 24–30 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 18–22 °C.
Arizona blonde tarantula: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Not required.
Arizona blonde tarantula: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: females 25–30 years, males only a few years after reaching maturity (about 5–10 years in total).
Arizona blonde tarantula: Is it suitable for beginners?
Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 24–30 °C
- Night temperature
- 18–22 °C
- Basking spot
- No basking spot
- Humidity
- 50–60 %
- UVB
- Not required
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 30×30×30 cm
- Substrate
- Sand-clay-coco fibre mix 15–20 cm, a cork hide, a shallow water dish
Feeding
- Food
- House crickets, roaches
- Feeding interval
- adults every 10–14 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- body 5–6 cm, leg span 12–14 cm
- Life expectancy
- females 25–30 years, males only a few years after reaching maturity (about 5–10 years in total)
- Origin
- Arizona, northern Mexico – the Sonoran Desert
- Protection status
- Not listed under CITES
- Brumation
- A cooler dry spell of 6–8 weeks
- Cohabitation
- Keep them strictly singly. Solitary and cannibalistic: two animals in one enclosure regularly end up as one. That applies to animals of the same size too, and even when both are well fed. For breeding, introduce the male under observation and separate them again immediately.
Notes
A very calm, slow-growing desert species with pale leg hairs. To be kept drier than the tropical ground spiders. Extremely long-lived – a genuine decades-long decision.
Do you keep this species?
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Related species
- Costa Rican zebra tarantula (Aphonopelma seemanni) – Beginner
- Texas brown tarantula (Aphonopelma hentzi) – Beginner
- Mexican bloodleg tarantula (Aphonopelma bicoloratum) – Beginner
- Amazon birdeater (Iridopelma hirsutum) – Intermediate
- Pinktoe tarantula (Avicularia avicularia) – Beginner
- Cobalt blue tarantula (Cyriopagopus lividus) – Expert
- Gooty sapphire ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria metallica) – Expert
- Peruvian blue tarantula (Thrixopelma cyaneolum) – Beginner
What you need to start
To keep Arizona blonde tarantula (Aphonopelma chalcodes) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (30×30×30 cm), substrate (Sand-clay-coco fibre mix 15–20 cm, a cork hide, a shallow water dish), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 9 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: Wikipedia EN, eu_annex.txt (lokal, VO (EU) 2026/1383), ruhrpott-exoten.de, thebiodude.com, thetarantulacollective.com
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).