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Bay Area Blond Tarantula Male (video)

Aphonopelma smithi

Photo by misako
Published on Project Noah
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37.8817, -121.909

Field Notes

Description:

I went to Mt. Diablo hoping to spot a tarantula. November is near the end of the mating period, so I was thrilled to see this male on a hiking path. When I placed a coin next to him as a measurement guide, he assumed a defensive position by lifting his abdomen exposing his spinnerets. This is my first wild tarantula spotting! A video of him walking away is below.
http://youtu.be/VzOVuVN2fy0

Habitat:

Hiking path in Mt. Diablo State Park in Concord, CA.

Notes:

Aphonopelma smithi, also known as the Bay Area Blond tarantula, is an endemic spider to Northern California, found in California interior chaparral and woodlands habitats. The Bay Area Blond tarantula spider lives in an underground burrow lined with silk for most of its life, until it is about 7 years old when it reaches puberty. At this time the males leave the burrow to find mates. Males can be found on Mount Diablo in Contra Costa County, looking for mates, from September to early October. Many people go to Mount Diablo to watch the tarantulas at this time of year (Wikipedia).

Reference Links:

Aphonopelma smithi, Tarantula Time on Mt. Diablo

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (18)
misako
Thank you chebeagueschool!
misako
I agree bjohnson--thought it was very fascinating.
bjohnson
I just read your link Tarantula Time at Mt. Diablo and it is so fascinating and very interesting about their biggest enemy the large black and orange wasp, known as a tarantula hawk.
misako
Thank you bjohnson! It was a great thrill to see it in the wild looking for a mate!
misako
Emma: I thought of you when I went to Mt. Diablo! I am definitely going to go again next year in August at the start of the mating period. I’m glad you went to the UC Botanical Gardens—I love it there. Newts! Cool—I have actually never been to Tilden and it is on my list to visit.
bjohnson
I love your photos and the video - as I child I wanted a pet tarantula and I'm glad my parents said no as they should not be pets.
HemaShah
Misako,you beat me to it! I live right next to Mt diablo. Every year i plan to go to see the Tarantulas.... But have not made it yet. Thanks for sharing!! i did go to the UC Botanical Gardens though!! BTW ,there is a major migration of Newts and a part of Tilden is closed from Nov to Dec for Newts crossing!!
AnnvanWijgerden
Haha, I know the feeling! Though 'my' tarantula was a lot smaller, despite my nervousness, "the thrill of spotting won out": http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/7068831
misako
Thank you Pino and Ann! I am a bit spider phobic, but I had never seen a wild tarantula before and the thrill of the spotting won out. :)
AnnvanWijgerden
Such a smooth mover! (I guess you're not scared of spiders?!!)
Pino
hairy and lovely :)
textless
Great photo series and video... what a handsome tarantula! It's really fascinating to see his aggressive posture too.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
International Spider Survey
Mission
Northern California Entomology

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Photographed
PublishedNovember 2, 2011

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