Aphonopelma questions

[TheJuicyFruit]

Hello! I'm continuing research on all sorts of t's before I move to a t friendly home, and I've found a species I'm very interested in, but haven't found a whole lot of consistent information on them. Specifically, I'm looking at Aphonopelma Chalcodes, or hentzi.

I've seen some people say that they do better without a hide, since they're such devoted burrowers, and that it just gets in the way of their excavating, but some videos and pictures, where they have a hide (and seemingly no burrow). Does it make any difference one way or the other, or is it up to personal preference of the owner?

Another thing I've found no single answer on is humidity, I've read a caresheet saying they prefer higher humidity than most desert dwelling t's. Do they do better with partially wet substrate/misting/ overflowing waterdish once-twice a week, like some other t's I've looked into.

Lastly, I've found a lot of different stories about size, some sources saying 6+ inches guranteed, others saying females won't get larger than 4 inches.

Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for your time

 

[TheJuicyFruit]

Additionally, I've got a 7x12x8 critter keeper with 4 inches of eco earth, would this be suitable for a 3-4 inch specimen? At what size should I move it, or, if the cage I have is too small, what size should I get?

 

[Charmyknux]

I have three hentzi's. They are gorgeous spiders and vary in temperament. All three of mine are very different.
My oldest is very large and very aggressive. My youngest is skittish and fast, and my middle aged one is docile but a bit nervous.
They are great spiders. One of mine is a burrower while the other two prefer their hides.
I hope this helps

 

[tcrave]

i would put a hide in there just in case. dont mist the whole enclosure. when filling the water dish let it spill over and it will create the right amount of humitidy. they prefer it dry. back in 2006 i was down in texas and got to see a few in the wild. the males i came across like usuall were wondering around. except for one female. and another females were just outside of a rock hole or a whole that looked to be from another animal but since been abandond

 

[TheJuicyFruit]

Thank you all for the help!

I've read that they need at least a 12x12x12 space as an adult (4 inches?) I'm looking into getting a 3-4 inch specimen, should I get a 12 cube or is the 7x12x8 fine. Thanks again in advance

 

[LauraMI]

I'm no expert, but that keeper sounds fine for now, then just go with a big tank or enclosure as it grows more.
Offer a place to hide, but it doesn't need to be a purchased hide. A piece of bark will be perfect; your T will dig under it.
I just put my new A. seemani on a new home. She's pissy about it but it will grow on her.