Aphonopelma peloncillo "Peloncillo Mountains Tarantula"
Geographic Distribution: Found in the United States, specifically in Arizona and New Mexico. Its name comes from the Peloncillo Mountains in southwestern New Mexico where it was first discovered.
Habitat: While specific information on A. peloncillo habitat isn't detailed, other Aphonopelma species thrive in various environments including grasslands, scrublands, and even high-elevation forests. They typically live in silk-lined burrows.
Appearance: This species is a member of the Marxi species group. It's a large spider. Males are distinguished by specific body part measurements and the extent of scopulation (dense hair tufts) on their third metatarsus. Females are distinguished by their larger size and measurements of specific body parts, as well as the extent of scopulation on their fourth metatarsus.
Diet: Like most Aphonopelma species, they are carnivorous, feeding on insects and small invertebrates.
Behavior:
They are primarily nocturnal and terrestrial, rarely venturing out of their burrows during the day except during mating season.
They are hunter spiders and don't spin elaborate webs for prey, but instead use a thin silk strand near their burrow entrance to detect vibrations.
They employ urtication as a defense mechanism, kicking off irritating hairs from their abdomen towards potential threats.
Conservation Status: This genus (Aphonopelma) is considered to be of Least Concern by the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) regarding population status.
Lifespan: Information about the lifespan of A. peloncillo isn't specifically provided, but female Aphonopelma tarantulas typically live longer than males. Females of related species, like the Texas tan tarantula (A. anax), can live for many years.