Family: Theraphosidae, Tarantulas view all from this family

Description Male 2-2 1/2" (50-65 mm), female 2-2 3/4" (50-70 mm); female legspan to 4" (100 mm). Body heavy, hairy. Cephalothorax gray to dark brown. Abdomen brownish black. Iridescent hair forms pad below tip of each leg.

Warning These spiders bite but are reluctant to attack people. Usually the venom is no more poisonous than that of bees. If roughly handled this tarantula will release abdominal hairs, which contain irritating substances.

Food Insects, lizards, and other small animals.

Life Cycle Male tries to maintain contact with female. If female moves away, male aggressively pursues desired mate. Eggs are concealed in some natural cavity. All spiderlings resemble females at first. After last molt, male emerges with distinctive pedipalps and more slender and relatively larger legs. Female continues to molt after reaching maturity and may live to 20 years.

Habitat Desert soil.

Range Arizona, New Mexico, and s. California.

Discussion The male spider wanders in the dim light after sunset or near dawn searching for a mate, then hides by day in abandoned holes or under stones.