Utah Tarantula, Baboon Spiders- Araneae Theraphosidae Aphonopelma iodius
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male

Tarantula's eyes surrounded by a darker "V" pattern which is an identifier for the Utah Tarantula
Tarantula's eyes surrounded by a slight darker "V" pattern which is an identifier of the Aphonopelma iodius

In front of cave like structure where crickets (dinner)  like to hide
in front of cave

Close-up of chelicera
walking

Close-up showing claws and claw tuft at end of tarsus and the spur on the tibia
legs

Close-up of  mating spur used by males to restrain females
Utah Tarantula - male's mating spur

Close-up of spinnerets
spinnerets

Close-up of abdomen showing reddish orange setae
abdomen

Underside
ventral

Ventral View
ventral view

Just after catching a cricket which took hours for him to consume. 
He caught it in the early afternoon and after I shot three photos using the
 flash, he took it into his cave to enjoy it in peace.  According to his
caretaker, John Richards, he eats about one cricket a week.
the catch


In captivity these Tarantulas will feed on crickets and the crickets like spinach and lettuce
cricket
Photo Details - ©Nicky Davis
Located in Herriman City, Salt Lake County, Utah and given to John Richards who loaned him to me to photograph.

Photos of male Utah Tarantula - Aphonopelma iodius
Tarantulas are nocturnal sit and wait  predators and stay close to their burrows.  Some female tarantula in captivity have lived 30 years.  Females in captivity are reported to mature at a minimum of seven years in this species - iodius (Chamberlin & Ivie 1939b) and continue to molt throughtout their lives.  Females continue to use burrows after maturity but males leave them to find females during the breeding season.

Pronunciation of Theraphosidae  is  ther - ah - FO - si - dee
"Spiders of North America" D. ubick, P. Paquin, P.E. Cushing and V. Roth, illustrations by N. Duperre.



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