Grand Canyon Black Tarantula

Grand Canyon tarantulas are most visible in the fall, when males search for mates.

Photo courtesy of Chris Hamilton

Scientific Name

Aphonopelma marxi

Identification

• Tarantulas grow to a large size- Grand Canyon black tarantulas grow up to 4 inches (10cm) from leg tip to leg tip. The goliath bird-eating spider (Theraphosa blondi) is the world's largest species of tarantula. Found in South America, it can reach up to 11 inches (28cm) from leg tip to leg tip.

• Tarantula burrows are silk-lined holes in the ground. Tarantulas use silk as a frame to prevent the burrow from collapsing.

• All tarantulas are covered in thick hair. Grand Canyon black tarantulas are dark in color, and the hair on the abdomen is reddish or orange in color.

Habitat

• Tarantulas live are found throughout the Grand Canyon. Tarantulas inside the Canyon tend to grow slightly larger than tarantulas on the Rim.

• They spend most of their lives in underground burrows.

Behavior

• During most of the year, both males and females spend most of the time in their burrow, only moving short distances at night to hunt.

• Most sightings are during the autumn months, when males leave their burrows and wander constantly looking for a mate.

• Tarantulas will not bite unless they feel very threatened, and the pain of a tarantula bite is comparable to a wasp sting. The main defense for North and South American tarantulas are urticating, or barbed, hairs. When threatened, a tarantula will brush these barbed hairs from their body into the air, where they lodge in the eyes, nose, and mouth of attackers, causing extreme irritation.

• Tarantulas prey on everything from insects to small rodents. After a large meal, a tarantula may not feed again for months.

• Tarantulas are the prey of some birds, lizards, and giant centipedes. The most famous creature that preys on tarantulas is the tarantula hawk.

More Information

• Tarantulas are not dangerous, but their bite is painful. While these spiders are large, they can be easily harmed if dropped or stepped on. Please observe these incredible arachnids from a distance.

Prepared by Matthew M. Safford, Wildlife Technician, Grand Canyon National Park, November 2015.