Mexican Golden-back Tarantula (Latin name: Aphonopelma chalcodes) is native to the dry deserts of the United States and Mexico. Like the Rio Grande Goldensun, it was once a popular species among pet bird spider enthusiasts in the United States, as it is also a species of bird-catching spider distributed in the southeastern United States.
Compared to the Rio Grande Goldensun, they have a much wider distribution and a larger population in the wild. However, as a member of the Aphonopelma genus, they also have a super long life cycle in the arid desert regions. It is said that it takes them 9 to 10 years to reach adulthood, which may be one of the slowest growing species of bird-catching spiders. However, they may also be the longest-lived, with a lifespan of up to 30 years.
The adult Mexican Golden-back Tarantula has a body length of 13 to 14 centimeters when its legs are stretched out. It prefers a temperature of 25 to 27°C and a humidity of 65%. It is recommended to use relatively dry peat moss/coconut brick as a substrate.
In recent years, they have become very rare in the pet bird spider market, and their prices are relatively high. Perhaps the artificial breeding has not been successful, and there are hardly any CB juveniles of this species appearing in the pet bird spider market. Occasionally, wild individuals can be seen, but their prices are also relatively high.
One of the classic pet bird spiders. The overall color is black, and the hair on the abdomen is red. The color contrast of the adult individuals is strong, making it a very charming species. They have strong adaptability and have been found in the dry deserts of southern Mexico to the tropical rainforests of Central America.
On November 4, 2019, the Linnean Society of London [1] published in the Linnean Society Journal of Zoology, dividing some bird spiders of the Brachypelma genus into the Tliltocatl genus [2-3].
As a species that was popularized earlier, Mexican Red-tailed also had a "biological invasion" legend in the United States. It is said that in the mid-1990s in Florida, a worker working in an orange grove suddenly discovered a strange animal. At first, it was thought to be a mouse, but it turned out to be a large-bodied hairy spider. Because such a "giant-sized spider" had never been found locally, the local newspaper reported the incident and caused a sensation among local residents. Afterwards, it was discovered that it was a Mexican Red-tailed, and a small population of them had already existed in the area.
Bird spider enthusiasts recommend keeping it as a pet. It has fine hairs all over its body. Certain areas of the bird-catching spider in South and North America may have short, irritating hairs that it uses to brush away enemies, such as mice, using its hind legs. This natural itching powder can cause itching all over the enemy's body. It has low toxicity.
Intestinal inflammation
And unlike wasting disease, this is caused by overeating. The owner keeps feeding the spider or feeds it at a low temperature, which can cause the spider to have bloating and abdominal pain, eventually leading to intestinal inflammation.
Black rot disease
Not eating or moving, decreased energy, and the appearance of black necrotic ulcerative lesions on the abdomen are the manifestations of spider black rot disease. The reason for this is that the water and food are not fresh. If the spider eats food with pathogenic bacteria, it will be infected with black rot disease, which can lead to death.
Mold disease
Especially in the south, the hot and humid weather in summer easily allows bacteria to invade the spider's body surface. The spider's joints become stiffer and its body becomes damp, which creates a favorable environment for bacteria to reproduce, resulting in the appearance of mold spots on the spider.
Parasites
Parasites can be described as the most disgusting disease for spiders. If it is a small insect, it's fine, but those rampant parasites will wriggle on the spider's body, which looks very disgusting. Besides affecting the spider's rest, they may also carry other viruses, causing multiple infections and posing a threat to the spider's life.
1. Temperature
The temperature is best controlled between 25-30 degrees Celsius, with minimal temperature difference between day and night. In summer, attention should be paid to cooling and preventing heatstroke, while in winter, attention should be paid to warming and keeping warm to ensure the healthy life of the juvenile spider.
2. Humidity
Moderate humidity should be maintained at around 65%. Low humidity can easily cause dehydration and eventually lead to emaciation and death of the juvenile spider. If the humidity is too high, the juvenile spider is prone to edema and death. If the humidity is too high, the juvenile spider is prone to edema, Phytophthora, and fungal diseases.
3. Ventilation
A good ventilation environment can make the juvenile spider stronger, reduce diseases, and safely molt. Air pollution, dampness, and stuffiness are the main causes of death in juvenile spiders.
4. Food
The feeding of spiders mainly involves providing small animals such as yellow mealworms and small earthworms. Animal blood can also be fed (note that salt should not be added to the blood). If conditions permit, artificial feeds can also be used. The formula can be made up of 50% egg yolk, 20% honey, 20% milk, 4% vitamin additives, and 3% brood-stock, mixed and fed on a plate or on a sponge.
5. Lighting
First of all, there should be sufficient lighting. If conditions permit, the spider can be taken outside to get sunlight (spiders do not like light, so there should be a shady place when exposed to light to ensure the spider's safety). Normally, windows should be opened frequently, but direct sunlight should be avoided.
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