The Spinnerette Issue 10: Aphonopelma chalcodes

THE SPINNERETTE ISSUE 10 APHONOPELMA ADVICE, CHALCODES CARE TIPS, INTERVIEWS A R I Z O N A B L O N D E1

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Disclaimer: Handling tarantulas is strongly discouraged, however if you do choose to handle a tarantula please educate yourself about proper handling techniques, safety practices/first aid, and how to check a tarantula's temperament.

hello T lovers! This issue is particularly exciting to me, because it's about a tarantula that I own! This issue is all about the Aphonopelma chalcodes, also known as the Arizona blonde! My tarantula is currently a sling, so I've called upon some more experienced keepers to share their expertise! I've done a lot of work to highlight more exotic tarantulas in The Spinnerette, but we can't overlook the very common, beginner friendly species. I believe that sharing all tarantulas is crucial to educating others about husbandry, and this means the \"easy\" species, too! I hope you love this issue just as much as the others :) Big thank you to the Tarantula Heaven community for contributing stories/photos and The Tarantula Collective for sponsoring this issue! If you are interested in submitting feedback, being a part of future issues, or contacting me for advertising, you can do so at [email protected]! Spider hugs, Patricia, Spidey + Blinky (my tarantula babies) Tarantulaheaven.com / Tarantula Tuesday Newsletter FOLLOW MY TARANTULA STUFF! Questions / Comments? Feel free to email me at [email protected] The cover image is credited to Anna Reeves / Flickr Copyright © 2020 Patricia Colli

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 08 Aphonopelma Chalcodes, The Arizona Blonde Tarantula 12 14 By Michael Fantus Aphonopelma Chalcodes Care Tips By Patricia Colli Healing Through Tarantula Keeping An interview with Thomas Doyle 20 Intro To Ts (Arizona Blonde) 22 24 An interview with Randy Renninger 30 Uniting T Keepers In Minnesota An interview with Miranda Corwin My Intro To The A. Chalcodes An interview with Dru Svoboda Caring For An Older Blondie An interview with Alex Borg 32 An A. Chalcodes Gets Rescued An interview with Rob Barbour 36 A. Chalcodes: My First Pet Hole 40 An interview with Julia Elizabeth Tarantula Tales A collection of experiences with the Arizona Blonde, submitted by T owners

APHONOPELMA CHALCODES, THE ARIZONA BLOND TARANTULA By Michael Fantus The Arizona Blond Tarantula is native to Arizona and lives near stands of the mythic Saguaro cactus, Carnegiea gigantea in the Sonora Desert, which runs from Western Sonora to southern Arizona. We had one that lived in our garage when I was spatial scales most organisms appear to have growing up there and she kept the garage free of clumped distributions because their habitats crickets and my mother, who liked to complain I are not uniformly distributed over wide areas.” wasn’t sweeping it well enough for her standards. So I made sure there were plenty of crickets Species diversity is declining, in the oceans in around. particular, but everywhere. Something called a “hook rate” is used to measure species There are many species of big brown tarantulas diversity in the oceans. Instead of blocking off in that part of the world, and it is believed more a square meter and counting the number of need to be described. As we have discussed in species from microorganisms, viruses, fungi, the past, Taxonomy is important, especially these and bacteria, to plants, invertebrates and days, in order to measure species diversity, a key then vertebrates, a boat drops lines and sees measurement of how alive a particular area is. what happens after 1,000 bites. Species density is calculated based on the Here are some dated results, circa 2,000 but number of individuals associated with a specific the hook rate is not improving: species compared to others in the same space and mean distribution across all habitats: “Behavioral and ecological factors influence dispersion. Uniform patterns of dispersion are generally a result of interactions between individuals like competition and territoriality. Clumped patterns usually occur when resources are concentrated in small areas within a larger habitat or because of individuals forming social groups. At large 8

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons9

]Aphonopelma Chalcodes, cont’d Insect populations are also injeopardy. Even as hobbyists, we can support efforts a serious state of decline and to contain and reverse climate change by this is troublesome for tarantula monitoring statistics like species density populations. This means in and speaking to our local and national addition to other climate change representatives in legislatures and maintain related threats to their numbers, a high profile for the issues related to its consequences. ]their food supplies are in Taxonomy of Aphonopelma chalcodes, the Arizona blond tarantula Aphonopelma chalcodes was first described in 1940 by Chamberlin. As I mentioned, if you go and grab any old brown tarantula in Arizona, the likelihood it will be A. chalcodes is variable since biologists are still working on a key for all Arizona species. Description This 3 to 6 inch (70 to 150 mm) large bodied, burrowing spider is commonly seen during the summer rainy season in southwestern deserts. The female is usually a uniform tan color. The male has black legs, a copper-colored cephalothorax and a reddish abdomen. Their burrows can be as large as 1 to 2 inches (25 to 50 mm) in diameter, with some strands of silk across the opening. The Taxon is described thus: Human population growth and \"complications\" Kingdom: Animalia associated with this is the primary cause: Subkingdom: Bilateria Infrakingdom: Protostomia Superphylum: Ecdysozoa Phylum: Arthropoda Subphylum: Chelicerata Class: Euchelicerata Subclass: Arachnida Order: Araneae Family: Theraphosidae Thorell 10

Genus: Aphonopelma Pocock, 1901 ABOUT MICHAEL Michael Fantus’ day job is marketing in a Washington DC Species: Aphonopelma chalcodes Association. His hobbies include fiction writing, music composition, French horn playing, redwood bonsai, and tarantulizing. He is the author of a novel, the Rage of Ganymede and the Lightning Manifesto.  Status (Never ask a girl her age, and I have a partner named Stefen Styrsky who works in legal services, is a published A. chalcodes is not listed as a CITES endangered fiction and technical writer, as well as a film critic. He avoids the tarantulas). species though every living thing on the planet Flip to the back to see references for this article! earth is at this time, a threatened or endangered creature. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commo1n1s

A p h o ncohpaellcmodaes CARE TIPS BASIC INFO Common name: Arizona Blonde, Scientific name: Aphonopelma Experience level: Beginner Desert Blonde chalcodes Life span: Females can live up to Type: New World, Terrestrial/ Origin: Southwestern states, 25 years. Males typically live 5-8 Fossorial especially Arizona, California, and years, passing soon after sexual New Mexico maturity. Growth rate: Slow Size: 6 inches fully grown APPEARANCE Aphonopelma chalcodes tarantulas are known for their “blonde” hairs. The female is usually a uniform tan color. The males tend to have black legs, a copper-colored cephalothorax and a reddish abdomen. BEHAVIOR Attitude: Arizona blonde tarantulas have a Defensive behavior: While Aphonopelma general reputation of being calm and docile, chalcodes tarantulas tend to be docile, they can however the species also has a reputation of be defensive and skittish. When threatened, being defensive, skittish and unpredictable. they have been known to flick itchy urticating hair, display a threat post, or bite. Bite danger: The bite of an Aphonopelma chalcodes tarantula is reportedly likened to a Handling: Handling tarantulas is not bee sting but more painful, causing pain and recommended. However, due to its tendency swelling. to be docile and calm, these tarantulas are considered more handling-friendly than others. DIET + NUTRITION Aphonopelma chalcodes tarantulas can eat appropriately sized insects such a crickets, roaches, and worms. 12

THE TARANTULA COLLECTIVE: ARIZONA BLOND TARANTULA (APHONOPELMA CHALCODES) CARE & HUSBANDRY HOUSING Substrate: Several inches of Enclosure: An adult Arizona Temperature: The ideal coconut fiber, peat moss, or other Blonde tarantula should be kept temperature for Arizona blonde soil. This species needs lots of in a large, horizontally oriented tarantulas is 75-80 degrees substrate to burrow. enclosure so it has enough room to Fahrenheit, however this species burrow but not climb. Slings can be will do fine between a 70-85 Decor: The tarantula will need a kept in small deli cups. degree range. hide or somewhere to retreat. Humidity: This species thrives in Collection notes: Aphonopelma Ventilation: This species needs a dry climate. chalcodes tarantulas are reclusive, a tank with ventilation at the top, nocturnal spiders. They like to hide several small holes at the top of Water: A small, shallow water in their burrows, under rocks, or in the enclosure will be fine. dish should always be present. abandoned holes in the daytime. This species does not need any misting. FUN FACTS Arizona blonde tarantulas like to make elaborate underground tunnel systems so that they can entrap any prey that is unlucky enough to wander inside their secret burrows! 13

HEALING THROUGH TARANTULA KEEPING An interview with Thomas Doyle Thomas Doyle is a tarantula keeper, exotic animals rescuer, artist, and writer living in New Mexico. Here, he talks about how his first tarantula (an A. chalcodes) helped him heal from depression. Tell us about yourself! My name is Thomas Doyle and I own a business called Questing Beast Rescue - we rescue and rehabilitate reptiles and other exotic animals. I am also an avid artist and writer! What inspired you to get into the tarantula hobby? Why did you choose an Arizona blonde as your first? A bit of a personal answer, but there are really two reasons. One reason was that my old high school friend had recently gotten into them back in 2016, and at the time I was dealing with depression. When she told me how easy tarantulas were to take care of and I saw what amazing creatures they were, I thought it would be a good idea to have something to take care of that also wasn’t too overbearing - something to be responsible for and a reason to get out of bed. I have to say that owning a tarantula was a first big step that helped me heal. 14 Photo credit: Thomas Doyle

Do you have other tarantulas in your sophisticated! collection now? LaLa is a bit on the skittish side, but they I do not have any other tarantulas in my are nonetheless easy to work with. She is collection, simply because I work mostly quite easy to care for and hardy as well. with reptiles now. However I have worked They are a slow growing species so I've with and even rehabilitated quite a few only had her molt about 3 times in the last tarantulas for other people before. 5 years since I've had her, but the good The Aphonopelma chalcodes was my first news is, is that she is consistently hungry tarantula. Her name is LaLa. When I got her until she goes on a month or two of fasting I was absolutely stunned. There is no photo before molting. that can really capture just how beautiful The best part about LaLa and why I A. chalcodes are and I consider them to consider her to be an amazing beginner be one of the most visually appealing - tarantula, is that she is readable to a fault. they might not have blues or purples, but She gives me the same posturing, in the you'd be surprised of the variation. Their same order, in the same way, every time abdomen can be a gorgeous rusty red and I work with her, almost like a computer the female's blonde segment can give off program. a champagne-like sheen that is no doubt Photo credit: Thomas Doyle

Healing Through Tarantula Keeping, cont’d LaLa doesn't burrow much, but she can In your opinion, what is the most rewarding if she wants to. She is very good about part of tarantula keeping? carpeting her substrate in web and They are really like no other animal I’ve worked discarding it when it gets too messy, so with before. They are limited in what they things are easy to clean up. She also can understand about their world, yet they exclusively poops near or in her water dish - are perfect, and I mean perfect at what they this helps! do. The reptiles I work with are so incredibly clumsy compared to the animal that doesn’t I also live in New Mexico, where have a sophisticated brain structure. They this species is native. It is very can be so predictable and yet incredibly popular in October to run into ingenious. And the best part is being a part of a mature male chalcodes walking community that values scientific contribution. around in the wild as they hunt for females. Unlike the females, the males are dark in color, not unlike soy sauce. Because they are so determined to find females, getting one to stay still for respectful and safe investigation is a bit of a feat, ]but all the same they are not easy to trigger or threaten, in my opinion. All in all, my first tarantula may be my favorite. Have you ever done any breeding projects with this spider? I have not worked with this tarantula for breeding projects, and I hear it is somewhat rare to. Back in 2016, I think it was more common to have wild-caught specimens on the market than captive bred, simply because they are native to the U.S. and fairly common. Photo credit: Thomas Doyle

LaLa had just molted in this photo, which explains why her abdomen is more narrow. Photo credit: Thomas Doyle Do you have a goal for your collection or novelty, and many fairs and museums keep a dream tarantula? specimens on hand. Sadly, I do think public At the time, I don’t have a goal. I hope opinion is still very phobic of the tarantulas to someday educate people on just how and finding them are rare in urban areas. amazing tarantulas are. But, if I were to Worse so, you have a lot of people that somehow become experienced I would love capture and sell wild caught males as a a P. irminia, aka a Suntiger. Right now they novelty or scam as well, simply because are too intimidating. they are so common out here. I fear the lack Due to tarantulas' tendency to be seen of respect for the species could lead to the out in the wild, do you feel people in New A. chalcodes becoming threatened in the Mexico are less arachnophobic or more future. welcoming of spiders? There is actually a surprising tourism pull ABOUT THOMAS to watch the migration of the A. chalcodes Thomas is a tarantula keeper from New Mexico (males during mating season) in New who frequently works to save reptiles and other Mexico, and spiders are a big part of exotic animals through his company, Questing tourism when you visit Albuquerque. There Beast Rescue (Facebook page here). are tarantula lollipops for instance, as a



Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons The A. chalcodes tarantula species experiences sexual dimorphism, meaning appearance will be different between mature females and males. Female Arizona blondes will usually be a uniform tan in color while the male will have black legs, a reddish abdomen, and a copper-colored cephalothorax.

INTRO TO TS WITH ARIZONA BLONDE An interview with Randy Renninger Randy is a graphic designer and illustrator in Pennsylvania, and he's also a moderator in the Tarantula Heaven Facebook group! Many don't know this, but he is also the person who came up with the name for The Spinnerette! An Arizona blonde was his very first tarantula :) Tell us about yourself! Originally I used a fish tank to keep my A. My name is Randy, I'm a graphic designer and chalcodes, it was very tall which I absolutely illustrator from Pennsylvania! don't recommend and it is dangerous. The lid was also lighter than I assumed and she What made you choose an A. chalcodes as ended up escaping one night. She was very your first tarantula? easy to find though, simply in the darkest spot A good friend of mine was helping me find very close to the tank. a starter tarantula that was both beautiful, inexpensive, and easy to care for. What do you think first timers should know about this tarantula? What was your experience in having this A. chalcodes is a perfect beginner tarantula. tarantula as an intro to the tarantula hobby? Don't be worried when they bury themselves A. chalcodes are very docile tarantulas, in the for weeks on end, they're just not hungry! beginning I enjoyed handling her (I prefer not to bother my tarantulas with too much handling What is the most interesting behavior you these days). She's very sweet, calm, and slow witnessed from this spider? moving which was perfect for me as a beginner. My A. chalcodes, and many others I've heard from, like to climb the tank walls, so include a Did you make any mistakes as a beginner? lot of substrate for their safety!

]Did you learn any interesting DIY hacks that What does your tarantula collection look like helped you with this spider? now? Don't invest too much on I have a humble 4 tarantulas, including L. expensive water dishes, they're parahybana, A. seemani, G. pulchripes, and of going to bury them fast. Try a course A. chalcodes. cheaper alternative, I think my A. chalcodes has 2 expensive water If you could start over in the hobby, would dishes and an unknown amount you still choose the Arizona blonde as your first T? ]of Arizona bottle caps in her I wouldn't have it any other way! A perfect introduction to how great keeping can be! enclosure. ABOUT RANDY Randy is a graphic designer, illustrator, and tarantula owner in Pennsylvania. You can learn more about him by following his Instagram @thatguysdesign and his website! Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

UNITING T KEEPERS IN MINNESOTA An interview with Miranda Corwin Miranda is a tarantula keeper and the creator of the Minnesota Tarantula Hobbyists Facebook group. Here, she talks about her experience with the Arizona blonde! She has a mature female and a sling. Tell us about yourself! What inspired you to get into the tarantula My name is Miranda. I live in Minneapolis, MN. keeping hobby? I am married with one son and a stepdaughter I actually have no idea what inspired me to with two twin grandchildren, one boy and one start collecting tarantulas. I love watching them girl. My current hobbies include spending time move, and walk. They are so beautiful and with my family. I love being outdoors. I am a almost mythical. I wish I would've started this fourth degree black belt in taekwondo. I have hobby sooner, but I never knew exactly how my dogs and several reptiles. I also have a easy it was. growing collection of tarantulas. Photo credit: GregTheBusker / Flickr Would you recommend an Arizona blonde to other beginners starting out? I would definitely recommend an Arizona blonde as a beginner tarantula. However, I would recommend a sling or a juvenile. That way, the tarantula can grow with you. I have an older female and she can be a little moody, but I absolutely love her. I enjoy this tarantula very much. I just absolutely love their color. I have one mature female that I purchased from someone. I did have a sling, but it escaped and I hope it is running around in the house still. I started into the hobby late, but I have to say the Arizona blondes are by far one of my favorites. 22

] Photo credit: B a y L e e ' s 8 Legged Art / Flickr ]Their beauty and grace, their What does the rest of your tarantula collection look like? coloring, absolutely stunning. I have almost thirty tarantulas. I tend to like the They can be extremely fierce, terrestrial tarantulas more than the arboreal. bold, and daring. To me they I absolutely love the Brachypelma and are a true definition of a diverse Grammostola species. tarantula. Do you have plans to breed your mature What do you think is the most helpful thing Arizona blonde? for beginners to know about tarantulas? I would definitely love to breed my Arizona The most helpful advice that I can give a blonde. I have been searching for a mature beginner is do your research. Research and male for sometime. Apparently, I am not the only read about tarantulas as much as you can. one searching. It's not a dog or a cat. They are extremely addictive. What inspired you to start the Minnesota ABOUT MIRANDA Tarantula Hobbyists Facebook group? What Miranda is a tarantula keeper from Minnesota, is your goal for the group? and the creator behind the Minnesota Tarantula I started the Minnesota Tarantula Hobbyists Hobbyists Facebook Group. group because I wanted to have a fun group of members who enjoy the same hobby and who JOIN THE GROUP HERE! are in the same area. My goal for the group is to continue to keep growing. My dream would be 23 to have my own table at an expo.

MY INTRO TO THE A. CHALCODES An interview with Dru Svoboda Dru has traveled all over the world, and his own personal journey with tarantulas happened completely by accident! And... it was all due to the Arizona blonde. Tell us about yourself! horizon and maybe a tumble weed or a steer I went to school originally for plant pathology and skull for good measure. Really however, this then later back again for corporate sustainability, couldn’t be farther from the truth. The Sonora I've worked in the non-profit sector, hard is full of the most highly adapted forms of sciences and now in banking and it has taken me life not just surviving but thriving in some of to live in 9 different countries. My interest really the harshest conditions America has to offer. evolved over time from keeping exotic plants, to Because resources are so scarce every terrariums, to tarantulas and their enclosures. living thing in the desert has a role to play in I've always really loved the DIY component of the sustaining the complex harmony of a desert hobby and the idea of creating a sustained micro ecosystem. environment that is aesthetically pleasing has always really appealed to me. I was so fascinated by all the unique forms of life and how alien they seemed compared What was your first experience with a to the cows and grasslands I had been used tarantula? to that I wanted to know everything I possibly I moved a lot when I was young, and it was could about each and every one of them. I difficult to make friends constantly moving from would spend hours in the local library reading place to place. This was of course back when about all the different kinds of plants and the default for parental guidance was “Go play animals the desert had to offer, especially how outside and be back for dinner.” they managed to survive. At the age of 10 my family moved again, only As kids we would even go out at night with this time from the Midwest to the Sonoran Desert black lights and jars of captured crickets to of Arizona. During that time, I really developed find glowing scorpions to feed by turning over a deep connection to the beautiful desert rocks and crevasses. It drove my parents landscape. I think when most people think of crazy always tracking in dust, cactus spines a desert, they imagine a lonesome sun baked and every little critter I could find to ask if it stretch of highway, a mirage simmering on the could be kept as a pet. My parents would always tell me it could stay for a day or two

to learn about it but then I would roll in on the southern winds to ] It was on a night like have to be return it to its home as then crash into a wall of desert this, thunder in the not to upset the desert's natural heat that would simply melt the distance, that I spotted balance. clouds away just as soon as a tarantula scrambling they had appeared. Rain in the across the front yard. In one particular year we had desert is a truly magical thing and Now, I had known what experienced an exceptionally hot every living thing was anxious in one was but despite all dry summer, it seemed as if the anticipation of the coming rain. my time in the desert monsoon rains that signaled the You can smell it in the air and changing of the seasons would hear the activity of the wildlife ]I had never seen a never come. Every day it was like desperate for the rain that would watching a battle between the come to sustain life for another tarantula in the wild forces of nature, as the big white year. before. clouds plump with water would Photo credit: Dru Svoboda

My Intro To The A. Chalcodes, cont’d I was so elated with excitement I simply scooped What is your favorite thing about tarantulas? up (what I later learned was a mature male A. Tarantulas are such highly adapted creatures to chalcodes to my good fortune as they are known their environment and the way that they make for their docile nature), right into my hands. I was their homes in such a contained territory really completely enchanted by such a bizarre form represented a new challenge for me. I almost of life as it calmly wandered from one hand to see a thriving tarantula as the crown jewel in a another and along my arms. The thought that it successfully sustained artificial ecosystem that I could bite never crossed my mind. have found very rewarding to maintain. My parents were strictly horrified when I brought it into the house to show them but begrudgingly Do you have any other tarantulas? allowed me to keep it for some time because they I have 9 tarantulas and keep exclusively were able to see how much it meant to me. What New World varieties, I would like to add I had not known at the time was that my parents Neischnocolus Sp. panama, Theraphosidae had only allowed me to keep it because they sp. panama to my collection just because the knew we would be moving soon again and that dwarf varieties are so beautiful and have such it would have to be returned to its home where it enthusiastic feeding responses for their size but was found. I would come home from school and I'm no particular hurry. watch it for hours, I loved it as if it were a dog or a cat. Someday I would like to engage a breeding project with unique environmental conditioning Throughout my life that memory stuck with me requirements such as my G. pulchra but I ] and helped to inspire my love of nature and later really intend to keep my collection limited even pursue a career in ecological sustainability. simply because I absolutely love to spoil my ]Very recently, later in life I finally spiders and put lots of effort into each of their enclosures. realized I could have a tarantula of my own as a pet without the What is your favorite or goal tarantula? risk of moving again or having I really couldn't identify one that is my favorite. to take it from the wild and this I love different aspects of each of the varieties species ignited my passion for I keep although I must admit I have a soft spot the tarantula keeping hobby. for Ts with a hardy appetite and just a touch of I’ve always loved keeping this attitude... looking at you two trippepii and victori! species as it connects me back to the sense of wonder I felt as a What is your favorite thing about the Arizona child exploring an unknown world blonde? for the first time. My favorite thing about the Arizona Blonde is that I see it as a representation, with its coloration and behaviors, of the highly adapted and unique forms that life must take to survive

in that environment that I feel I have a special Photo credit: Dru Svoboda connection to where I grew up (back before all the world traveling and responsibility that ABOUT DRU comes with having a career). It reflects my Since his experience with an A. chalcodes childhood back where the whole world was so tarantula, Dru now has 9 tarantulas and has full of wonder and ready to be explored. grown to appreciate these creatures for their beauty and mystery.

While A. chalcodes are often recommended for beginners due to their calm reputation and hardiness, temperament can vary from spider to spider. Some tarantula owners report their Arizona blondes can be quite feisty!

Photo credit: Mike Keeling / Flickr

CARING FOR AN OLDER BLONDIE An interview with Alex Borg Alex is a tarantula owner who obtained an Arizona blonde tarantula in the later stages of her life. The Spinnerette is happy to share his experience! Tell us about yourself! My names Alex, I like exotic things. How did you get into the tarantula hobby? I got into tarantulas because I've always wanted one, then on my 19th birthday my Nana bought my first one which is my Arizona blonde. How did you obtain your Arizona blonde? How long have you had her? I got my Arizona blonde from a pet store. I've had her for almost a year now. Do you have other tarantulas in your collection? I also have a Costa Rican zebra stripe knee tarantula and I adore him. He's so chill compared to my blondie. What does your enclosure for this spider look like? Arizona blonde Photo credit: Alex Borg

They are both in 10 gallon tanks. than my zebra knee - he's really Photo credit: Alex Borg They are pretty basic - dirt, logs, small and she's a lot bigger than but mine also have gem with him. ABOUT ALEX them. Alex is the proud owner of two tarantulas (an Arizona How far apart are your spider's In your opinion, does care blonde and a Costa Rican molts now? How old do you requirements such as feeding zebra stripe knee). believe your Arizona blonde differ for older tarantulas vs. is? younger Ts? My zebra knee just had his Age really plays a role in caring second molt I believe and my for them - my zebra is so chill and blondie had her first since I've it will eat dead crickets while my had her. I believe she is older blondie is stubborn and feisty and only will eat live crickets.

AN A. CHALCODES GETS RESCUED An interview with Ron Barbour Ron is a tarantula keeper living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania who has a growing tarantula collection (along with a passion for heavy metal music). This is his experience in rescuing a stressed A. chalcodes. Tell us about yourself! I talked my wife into trying to own a spider with I was born and raised just south of Pittsburgh, the agreement that it would never be out of PA. As my late teens and early 20s were its enclosure, except for during normal care during the 80’s, I picked up a huge passion or enclosure upgrades. I purchased a juvenile and hobby for heavy metal music and played Grammostola pulchripes at the next pet expo drums in local metal bands until the mid and was hooked! 2000’s. I also enjoy the outdoors and get out as often as possible. What influenced you to add an Arizona blonde to your collection? How did you get into the tarantula hobby? Shortly after obtaining the Chaco golden I’ve always had an interest in bugs and knee, I was on the hunt for something else. I snakes. Pittsburgh has nothing native to heard many collectors didn’t really care for the the area of interest and the only way to see Aphonopelma chalcodes because it was native anything neat was to go to pet stores or to the US and could be easily found in the wild. shows. I asked the manager of a local pet if she had any tarantulas and she said that she had a A few years ago, I started following some blonde in the back. of the tarantula collectors on Facebook and YouTube and learned that owning and caring I wasn’t too interested until she brought her out. for certain species really isn’t that difficult and She was this big fuzzy just hanging out in the you don’t need to handle or risk getting bitten corner of her tank. The manager reached in and at all. scooped her up, placed her on her arm.

Photo credit: Ron Barbour ]I noticed right away What's your experience with What does your enclosure for the Arizona blonde? this spider look like? that she had almost My experience isn’t much, other She is in one of those 12x12x12 lost all of the hair than the normal care and feeding. glass enclosures with the two on her backside so I As she may have been stressed, doors at the front. That’s what thought she may have I do not bother her other than makes it easy to do a hide feed. been really stressed to make sure she always has I know she is a desert species, out. I knew this was fresh water and a solid feeding however, her tank is decorated the one for me. If she schedule. She is a really good like the jungle/forest floor. She has was stressed, her life eater, however she will spend a plenty of room and has roamed month at a time in her hide, I just every square inch of her enclosure, even the roof. When she’s not guess it’s normal. During that spending time in her hide, she loves to come out to the front of the was about to change. time, I’ll use long forceps and will tank and place her two front legs drop a cricket almost on top of on the glass, almost looks like she wants to come out. I know the rules her. She is spoiled! I’ve had her though… for about two years and she has yet to molt.

Photo credit: Ron Barbour

Photo credit: Ron Barbour ]What advice would you give to someone What's your favorite thing about the Arizona who wants this spider? blonde? Don’t let the masses talk you out of this native I have a fondness for her demeanor. She looks species. These are really great additions or like a cuddly stuffed animal more than a spider, even a great first spider. They don’t web all that especially when she’s slowly walking around or much and they do like to roam from time to time. hanging out in the front of her tank. ]The only downside is that Do you have a favorite or ultimate tarantula/ goal for your collection? they can spend weeks or even I really don’t have one. I have two Ts now and months at a time in their hide. will probably just keep those two….along with I would recommend that you the two corn snakes and the leopard gecko! set up your tank so that you can see or have access to ABOUT RON the front of the hide so that Ron lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and you can see inside, with a has a passion for tarantulas and heavy metal flashlight, or use long forceps to feed. music. He also has snakes and a gecko!

A. CHALCODES: MY FIRST PET HOLE An interview with Julia Elizabeth Julia has had her Arizona blonde tarantula for a little while, and unfortunately she doesn't see much of her anymore! Here's why they call the species a \"pet hole.\" Tell us about yourself! What's your favorite thing about the Arizona I'm in school to be a veterinary technician and blonde? have always loved spiders. She is incredibly docile. How did you get into the tarantula hobby? ]Do you have any other spiders in your My fiancé's brother surprised me with my first collection? tarantula and it was all over from there. I have a Nhandu chromatus and a Grammostola pulchra. What does your enclosure for this spider look like? Why would you recommend the Arizona My Arizona blonde lives in a terrestrial blonde for other keepers? enclosure with a lot of substrate for her to burrow. ]I recommend Arizona blondes How often does your spider burrow? How for everyone because they're often do you see her? gorgeous and docile for the She burrowed in February and I've seen her most part. once since then. Have you noticed any other silly behavior ABOUT JULIA about this spider? Julia is a future veterinary technician and spider She is very reclusive and she doesn't eat very mom to an Aphonopelma chalcodes, Nhandu often. chromatus, and Grammostola pulchra.

Lelenia's my A. chalcodes, I've seen her like twice before she sealed her burrow in February. Photo credit: Julia Elizabeth

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons tarantula COMMU 38

a In this section we highlight tarantula owners from around the world and share their experiences. UNITY 39

Tarantula Tales From The Tarantula Heaven Facebook Group I asked my Tarantula Heaven community to share little snippets of their journeys with Aphonopelma chalcodes tarantulas. Here's what they said! 40

Photo credit: Linda Orambo \"I have one. A sling the size of The crickets I put in the my pinky fingernail. Or, at least, green cap have consistently Helena was that size when I disappeared, although I haven’t brought her home. actually witnessed this. I’ve seen her twice since I got her And occasionally the substrate in February. gets moved around.\" I’m assuming she’s doing well. - Linda Orambo 41

Tarantula Tales, cont’d \"We have one. Have only owned \"I have an elderly female A. her a month or so. We are new chalcodes.\" to tarantulas.\" - Dean Ross - Jonada Kohlmeyer \"The second T I bought is my A chalcodes. She’s such a sweetheart. \"Yep. I've kept em throughout all She has the most laid back stages of growth.\" personality. Molted on her front too - Devon Hines which was strange to me!\" - Ric Parsons Photo credit: B a y L e e ' s 8 Legged Art / Flickr

Photo credit: B a y L e e ' s 8 Legged Art / Flickr Thank you all for sharing your stories!!!

Photo credit: Patricia Colli My A. chalcodes sling Blinky, caught in the act of throwing dirt into the water dish. Photo credit: Patricia Colli Blinky the baby spider walked with its butt in the air into its new enclosure!

Our friend Gremlin Designs on Etsy is making goodies for pets and kids (and she also made the amazing spider bags below). Visit her store and use discount code SPIDEY15 for 15% off! SHOP PET MERCH!

WEAR YOUR LOVE FOR TS On YOUR SLEEVE! SEE NEW TARANTULA MERCH! ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT MAGAZINE! 46

learn more about tarantulas! 200+ PAGE TARANTULA LEARN EBOOK THAT COVERS TONS MORE OF INFO ON TARANTULA CARE HERE Do you sell tarantulas, feeders, enclosures and other tarantula items? Email [email protected] if you’re interested in purchasing ad space! 47

REFERENCES Aphonopelma chalcodes, the arizona blonde T Author: Michael Fantus Aphonopelma chalcodes Chamberlin, 1940. (n.d.). Retrieved June 27, 2020, from https://www.itis.gov/servlet/ SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=851075#null Arizona blond tarantula - Aphonopelma chalcodes. (n.d.). Retrieved June 27, 2020, from https://www. desertmuseum.org/books/nhsd_tarantula.php Human Population Growth and Extinction. (n.d.). Retrieved June 27, 2020, from https://www.biologicaldiversity. org/programs/population_and_sustainability/extinction/index.html Walker, S. (2011). Density and Dispersion | Learn Science at Scitable. Retrieved June 27, 2020, from https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/density-and-dispersion-19688035/?error=cookies_not_ supported&code=b58bdcb1-5915-43fa-96b0-6c8dfa4e9572 Where Saguaros Grow - Saguaro National Park (U.S. National Park Service). (n.d.). Retrieved June 27, 2020, from https://www.nps.gov/sagu/learn/nature/location.htm Wikipedia contributors. (2020, June 18). Decline in insect populations. Retrieved June 27, 2020, from https:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decline_in_insect_populations Worm, B. (2005, August 26). Global Patterns of Predator Diversity in the Open Oceans. Retrieved June 27, 2020, from https://science.sciencemag.org/content/309/5739/1365/tab-figures-data 4P8hoto credit: Will Pollard

Disclaimer: Handling tarantulas is strongly Photo credit: B a y L e e ' s 8 Legged Art / Flic4k9r discouraged, however if you do choose to handle a tarantula please educate yourself about proper handling techniques, safety practices/first aid, and how to check a tarantula's temperament.

later fang gang! Thank you for supporting The Spinnerette and its 10th issue! A big thank you to Richard Stewart and The Tarantula Collective for sponsoring this magazine and continuing their great work in the tarantula keeping community in spreading knowledge and exposing more eyes to these beautiful creatures. If you have any feedback about how this magazine could be improved or things you’d like to see this magazine cover, please feel free to email me at [email protected]. You can also email me if you’d like to submit something to the magazine or pitch an idea for a future issue! As always, you can find me on Facebook in my tarantula group, or subscribe to my Patreon to see more behind the scenes content about this magazine and my life with my tarantulas. 50