Aphonopelma chalcodes variants

[Rebecca Baker]

Hi All,

I was just wondering if anyone knows anything about the different variants of A.chalcodes that are floating around in the hobby. I've done a bit of googleing and haven't really found a lot. I seem to remember reading a comment somewhere regarding the difference between the chalcodes that we have here in the UK (the blonde fluffy variety - a bit vague I know) and the chalcodes that is commonly around in the US - which seem to be darker in comparison with slight leg markings?
I especially wanted to know if these come from different geographical locations? I've been trying to look up climate information for them but wasn't sure how much the two differed, if at all! I currently have two adult females here (and one coming this week) that I keep in an unheated room, so I suppose they are going through a 'cool period', they're both nicely burrowed in at the moment. So any information on chalcodes and variants would be great
Also has anyone had much success breeding these?

Thanks for any info,

Becca

[Toran Tanner]

can't say for sure but Brent Hendrickson has some new data on Aphonopelmas that I am sure will blow us all away. I almost feel like he is implying that A.spp new rivers may be a variant, I don't know. but trying to get any info out the guy is like pulling teeth

[James Box]

definitely interested in new info on Aphonopelma!

[Ray Gabriel]

Hi All,

I was just wondering if anyone knows anything about the different variants of A.chalcodes that are floating around in the hobby. I've done a bit of googleing and haven't really found a lot. I seem to remember reading a comment somewhere regarding the difference between the chalcodes that we have here in the UK (the blonde fluffy variety - a bit vague I know) and the chalcodes that is commonly around in the US - which seem to be darker in comparison with slight leg markings?
I especially wanted to know if these come from different geographical locations? I've been trying to look up climate information for them but wasn't sure how much the two differed, if at all! I currently have two adult females here (and one coming this week) that I keep in an unheated room, so I suppose they are going through a 'cool period', they're both nicely burrowed in at the moment. So any information on chalcodes and variants would be great
Also has anyone had much success breeding these?

Thanks for any info,

Becca

First thing i would ask is who identifed these "varients" as A. chalcodies, you might find that someone is using "pentaxonomy" to identify stuff they dont really know what they have (like you see all the time on websites).

As for breeding you would need to get s/a males and females from the same area, and aclimitise them with the same dry/wet, hot/cold seasons so they mature at the same time.

Trouble is trying to get a batch of any Aphonopelma species of a decent size say 14 specimens of mixed sizes from the same location, which dosent mean a re mortgage, or having to buy 1000 specimens as "that is the minimum overseas order quantity".

Each time i have tried I have been ripped of big time by prominent Canadian and American dealers who think they are so clever, but lots of people have been told who they are so not to trust them.

Good luck, Maybe with Torans contacts captive groups of Aphonopelma species might be possible in the UK in the future.

Ray