Texas Brown tarantula Aphonopelma hentzi |
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Texas Brown tarantula | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Araneae |
Suborder: | Mygalomorphae |
Family: | Theraphosidae |
Genus: | Aphonopelma |
Species: | Aphonopelma hentzi |
Binomial name | |
Aphonopelma hentzi (Jean-Étienne Girard, 1852) |
Aphonopelma hentzi, the Texas Brown tarantula, (also known as Oklahoma Brown tarantula or Missouri tarantula),[1] is one of the most common species of tarantula thriving in the southern-most United States today. Texas Browns can grow in excess of a four inch leg span, and weigh more than 3 ounces as adults. The body is dark brown in color. Shades may vary between individual tarantulas and is more distinct after moult.
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Female Aphonopelma hentzi tarantulas can lay up to 1,000 eggs. The eggs are positioned securely in a web, which remains in the tarantula burrow, and guarded by the female. Eggs hatch in 45 to 60 days. Once spiderlings leave the egg sac, its not unusual to stay with the females for up to a week or possibly longer before dispersing to make their own burrows.
Females have been known to live up to 30 years. But considering no studies have lasted so long, the lifespan is presumed to be longer. Males rarely live over three months after they have matured.
Texas Brown tarantulas, Aphonopelma hentzi, occur in North America throughout Arkansas Texas, Oklahoma, southern Kansas and Missouri, and northwestern Louisiana and other adjoining areas in the U.S. and Northeast Mexico.[1][2] They are commonly found in grasslands, burrowed under ground; or using logs, stones, or other small animal's abandoned dens as their home and feeding grounds. Texas Brown tarantulas will use their spinnerets to line the entrance of their shelter with webbing so as to detect passing prey. Tarantula are often restricted to the ground but can climb.
In captivity, the diet of a Texas Brown tarantula consists primarily of beetles, cockroaches, crickets, and pinky mice. During a large feeding, the abdomen (opisthosoma) will often increase its size by two-fold.
Texas Brown tarantulas are very common as pets because of their docile mannerism. Like many other popular pet tarantula species (see: Mexican Redknee tarantula), Texas Brown tarantula are easy to handle, very low maintenance, and inexpensive to care for. Habitats should be kept in a terrarium with low humidity and the surrounding temperature set to 68-86°F. The length should be wider than twice the leg-span of the tarantula, and should include shelter for hiding and sleeping while inside the terrarium.
Recommended feeding includes four to six live crickets every few weeks. Gut loading, or providing prey with vitamins and other nutrients, provides tarantulas with a healthy meal. Uneaten prey should be removed after one day. Fasting, or not eating, for days or weeks at a time is sometimes an indication of an upcoming molt. A water dish should be supplied and maintained, shallow enough for the tarantula to drink from.
When disturbed, like most other tarantulas, the Texas Brown will maneuver itself to a stance on its hind legs and raise its front legs in a threatening manner. Also, Texas Brown tarantulas have small coarse brown and/or black urticating hairs on their abdomen that they will kick in the direction of whatever they may feel threatened by. Bites from the Texas Brown tarantula are generally not a serious harm to humans. Apply a cold compress to the area, and if swelling or rash occur, seek medical attention.
Marshall, Samuel D. Tarantulas and Other Arachnids. Barrons, 2001. ISBN 07641146