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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Chelicerates (Chelicerata) » Arachnids (Arachnida) » Spiders (Araneae) » Mygalomorphs (Mygalomorphae) » Tarantulas (Theraphosidae) » Aphonopelma » Aphonopelma steindachneri
Photo#321791
Tarantula - would like to know what kind of tarantula and any other information - Aphonopelma steindachneri
Copyright © 2009 griffinsuzanne

Tarantula - would like to know what kind of tarantula and any other information - Aphonopelma steindachneri
Santa Clarita, California, USA
August 15, 2009
Size: 3 inches diameter abt.
I would like to know more about this tarantula, she was found in a kitchen in Santa Clarita, Ca. I have no idea what kind of tarantula it is. It seems to be gentle when I hold her, Am I putting myself in danger by letting her crawl on my hands and arm? I have a praying mantis also, can they be put in the same cage? I would appreciate any information you can give me about this beautiful spider.
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Contributed by griffinsuzanne on 18 August, 2009 - 4:12am
Last updated 20 September, 2019 - 8:43am

....
this is a mature male that was likely seeking out a mate. mature males wander and do not live long. be lucky to get a year out of him.
… wolfpacksved, 20 September, 2019 - 9:05am login or register to post comments

Moved
Moved from Aphonopelma.
… john and jane balaban, 20 September, 2019 - 8:43am login or register to post comments

Steindachneri
Note jet black carapace
… Marcus bullock, 20 September, 2019 - 8:42am login or register to post comments

Moved
Moved from Spiders, based on Natalie's comments below.
… Lynette Elliott, 16 February, 2010 - 11:37pm login or register to post comments

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… john and jane balaban, 6 September, 2009 - 11:55am login or register to post comments

Aphonopelma
I'm pretty sure all native tarantulas in California are Aphonopelma and this definitely looks like one. Don't put it in a cage with anything else because it'll eat it, and a preying mantis may even attack it. They're not dangerous, but their bite is similar to a bee sting I've heard. Some people can be allergic though so just be careful. Also watch out for it kicking hairs off its abdomen. They kick hairs to irritate the skin or eyes of predators, they can be annoying if they get stuck and it looks like it has been kicking off quite a few.

Here's the info page on the genus, with some links to websites that may be able to give you more info:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/34693
… Natalie Hernandez, 18 August, 2009 - 8:20am login or register to post comments

 
bald spot
Actually, it looks like it might have been approaching molt, in which case anything else in a cage with it would probably stress or hurt it.
… Debbi Brusco, 13 June, 2010 - 2:36pm login or register to post comments

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