Aphonopelma smithi, also known as the Bay Area Blond tarantula, is an endemic spider to Northern California

Northern California

Northern California is the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The San Francisco Bay Area , and Sacramento as well as its metropolitan area are the main population centers...

, found in California interior chaparral and woodlands

California interior chaparral and woodlands

The California interior chaparral and woodlands ecoregion covers in an elliptical ring around the California Central Valley. It occurs on hills and mountains ranging from to . It is part of the Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub biome, with cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers...

 habitat

Habitat

* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...

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Habitat

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.

Behavior

Aphonopelma smithi is a relatively skittish species, and can be disturbed easily. One should not attempt to handle a Bay Area Blond tarantula, as it can upset the spider, possibly resulting in injury to it or the human handler.

External links

• San Francisco Bay Area Wildlife: Aphonopelma species - Tarantulas
• Bay Area Blond tarantula - image