Aphonopelma hentizi also known as Texas Brown

Looking for an easy-to-care-for tarantula for your collection? Consider the Aphonopelma hentizi, also known as the Texas Brown, Oklahoma Brown, or Missouri Tarantula. This New World Terrestrial species is native to the Southern United States, making it a rare find in the hobby. While it may not be as colorful or exotic as some other tarantula species, it makes up for it with its docile nature and long lifespan.

Info Overview

Genus: Aphonopelma
Species: hentizi
Common Name: Texas Brown, Oklahoma Brown, or Missouri Tarantula
Living Height: Terrestrial, Opportunistic burrower
Urticating Hairs: Yes
World Type: New World
World Location: Southern USA
Leg Span (DLS): 4”to 5” (10-12.5cm)
Life Span: F: 30 years M: up to 10 years
Growth Rate: Slow
Keeper Level: Beginner

Environment

The Aphonopelma hentizi is distinguished by its bronze or brass-colored carapace, burgundy or brown abdomen, and black legs. Females can live for over 30 years, while males have a shorter lifespan of 8-12 years. These tarantulas can be found in the scrublands or southwest prairies of Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas, where they live in burrows that are sometimes abandoned by rodents and reptiles.

Enclosure

If you’re considering keeping a Texas Brown as a pet, it’s important to provide them with the right environment. Spiderlings can be kept in small AMAC boxes with the ability to dig deep, as they love to burrow at this size. Keep the substrate mostly dry, but drip water down the corner of the enclosure once a week to provide some humidity. Provide a hide and a small water dish if there is room, or mist the side of the enclosure slightly or drop some water on the webbing once a week for hydration.

As your tarantula grows, you’ll need to move them into a larger enclosure. Juveniles should be housed in terrestrial enclosures with more height than width, filled about ⅔ with substrate. Use coco fiber or peat moss as they don’t have high humidity requirements. Provide a cork bark hide and water dish, keeping the substrate dry but the water dish full.

Once your Texas Brown reaches adult size (which can take 8-10 years), move them into a 2.5-gallon enclosure with more width than height, filled at least ½ – ⅔ with substrate. Provide a hide and water dish, but be prepared for your tarantula to redecorate the entire enclosure – they are bulldozers at this size. As they grow, they’ll spend more time out in the open, and a 5-gallon enclosure should be sufficient.

Feeding

When it comes to feeding, offer one or two pinhead crickets or roaches once a week, depending on the size of their abdomen. Feed more often if the abdomen is small and less often if it’s plump. If the sling refuses food, remove the prey within a few hours and try again in a week or so. Don’t worry if your tarantula goes weeks or even months without eating – they can survive for long periods without food. Wait about 3 days after they molt before attempting to feed them, but sometimes they won’t eat again for a week or two.

Conclusion

In summary, the Aphonopelma hentizi is a docile and easy-to-care-for tarantula that makes a great addition to any collection. While it may not be the most colorful or exotic species, its longevity and temperament make it a valuable pet for tarantula enthusiasts. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance pet that’s sure to fascinate you, consider the Texas Brown.