Desert Tarantula

Tarantula season is here, they are only active a few months. I go out in My yard at night with a flashlight. These photos are showing the spider ready to ambush prey.

Aphonopelma chalcodes, commonly known as the desert tarantula, Arizona blond tarantula or Mexican blond tarantula.

Tarantulas are nocturnal hunters. They feed primarily on insects like grasshoppers, beetles, other small spiders and arthropods, and will sometimes eat small lizards. They will attempt to overcome anything of the right size that moves in their range. Most tarantulas have weak venom.

Here I make a little noise outside the lair and spider pounces.

Tarantulas are very sensitive to vibrations in the ground that may indicate the presence of prey or danger. They are equipped with urticating hairs on their abdomen which can be released by kicking with the back legs; these hairs irritate the nose and eyes of would-be attackers.

More info on Tarantula:
https://www.desertmuseum.org/kids/oz/long-fact-sheets/tarantula.php

Photos taken in Cochise, Arizona.