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Tarantula Trifecta

I was out hiking yesterday (I'm in southern New Mexico now) in an old dry creek bed, and I came across 3 Tarantulas. The first one looked like it was dead, and the 3rd one was full of energy, I could barely keep up with her. Patrick, can you ID them?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53939514@N02/?saved=1
 
here's a few I found asound the house,
this is a huge, tiger-rump that the dog found behind the chair
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some type of pinktoe
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I forgot the name of this one, but it's somewhat rare here
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This is a big zebra-leg, I found in the jungle
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I think this is some type of rose-hair
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here's a young tiger-rump I found on the couch
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The Pink Toe I had back in the 80s was a greenish color, with pink toes, he was pretty small compared to a Mexican Red Leg.
 
They are mature male aphonopelma, not sure of the species. Probably chalcodes. If you look at the underside of the first leg on either side about one third of the way back from the toes you can see a small appendage or "hook". Those are used to secure the females fangs when they hold them up for mating. The dead one appears to be another mature male that has just succumbed to life. When male tarantulas become sexually mature their days are numbered.

Tarantula's usually spend their entire life never venturing more than a few feet from their burrow. When males go through their "ultimate" molt they become sexually mature and have one thing on their mind. They will travel for miles looking for willing females.

Great photos, thank you for posting them. Please send me a PM when ever you want me to see something. This was really cool.

solar1 I would so love to be able to find tarantulas in my back yard, not so sure about the couch though.
 
Solar- thanks for sharing your native tarantulas with us- sometimes those of us that keep them in the Midwest are not informed as to what their "natural" habitats are. I'll make sure I note that if I should decide to get a tiger rump I should provide it with a couch! :D
 
Solar- thanks for sharing your native tarantulas with us- sometimes those of us that keep them in the Midwest are not informed as to what their "natural" habitats are. I'll make sure I note that if I should decide to get a tiger rump I should provide it with a couch! :D

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