Aphonopelma Bicoloratum - Mexican Blood-leg Tarantula

Common Name: Mexican Blood-leg Tarantula

Scientific Name: Aphonopelma Bicoloratum (Struchen, Brändle & Schmidt, 1996)

Synonyms: NIL

The Mexican Blood-leg Tarantula (Aphonopelma bicoloratum) is a brightly coloured and very attractive species from the scrub-land and desert areas of pacific Southern Mexico. It is one of the top options available for a beginner tarantula due to it's attractiveness and calm and docile temperament. Mexican Blood-legs have incredible red and black legs, and are an extremely long lived species partially due to their slow growth. These brightly coloured legs will turn completely black when male specimens reach adulthood.

Picture: Adult Photo of Aphonopelma Bicoloratum

General Information

Regions Found: Pacific side of southern Mexico, in scrubland and deserts

Type: New World Terrestrial

Lastingness: Very slow and long lived

Adult Size: 7-10 cm (4 Inches)

Temperament: Generally very calm and docile

Urticating Hairs: Yes but would rather run and hide

Venom Potency: Weak

Tarantula Housing: Floor space is more important than height, a deep substrate should be provided for burrowing. A good retreat is may required.

Temperature: Between 24 to 32°C

Humidity: Near to 75%

Special Requirements: No special requirements

Experiences Needed: Novice (For Novice->Moderate->Advance->Expert)

Breeding Difficulty: Moderate

Egg Sac Size: Unknown

Danger to Male: Probably Sexual Cannibalism

Diet: Slings: Pinhead Crickets or Meal worms. (Meal worms must have to cut into two) 

Larger specimens: Crickets, Meal worms, Pinky, Roaches, or Other Large Insects.

Recommended Pet Supplies

- An appropriately sized Terrarium/Vivarium/Aquarium depending on sizes

- Substrate (3 to 4 inches thick of peat moss/coco peat/potting soil etc. for larger specimen)

- Heating equipment e.g. heat lamps, heat mats and thermostats- Large shallow water dish as it maybe drinks from it and it help to control the humidity. (All tarantulas that have at least a 3 inches leg span may drink from a shallow, wide water dish. Pebbles may be put for safety)- Decorations and hiding places (e.g. drift wood, stone or ornamental features)

- Live-food (NOT for Slings/Spiderlings) as it may injured your T, Half Dead or Cut Meal worm is recommended)

Remarks

- Simple mist the wall of the T Terrarium everyday and feed once or twice a week.

- Mexican Blood-legs are rarely imported from Southern Mexico and breeding are not very frequent so finding one of these in the shop may be a difficult task. They are often confused with the similar looking Brachypelma boehmei so be cautious when looking to acquire one for your collection. This tarantula does not get very large, but it makes up for it's size in aesthetic qualities. A combination of appealing colour and gentle disposition makes the Mexican Blood-leg Tarantula an excellent pet. It is rare for these tarantulas to fire their urticating hairs but care should be taken not to cause anguish to a tarantula.

Source: Internet, Wikipedia, Wiki pets