Alamogordo, New Mexico Tarantula

[GQ.]

Here is another one of those "What is this?" threads. I found this tarantula in my late uncle's back yard in Alamogordo, NM a couple of weeks before the ATS conference. I had planned on going to the conference, but his passing changed my plans. This tarantula has special meaning to me since I found it in his back yard the night of his funeral. Myself and a few other family members were standing on his back porch talking about the good ol' days when this little bugger comes strolling along. He molted into a male just a couple of weeks ago. I also found another, possible female, in neighboring La Luz, New Mexico. I'm hoping they will be able to mate. They are beautiful spiders. Does anyone know what species it might be?

 

[Immortal_sin]

he looks just like my 'cuernavaca' male, is he really small?
I don't know diddly about Aphonopelmas though!

 

[Deliverme314]

Doesnt look like an aphonpelma to me... I know that is the most indigenous species to teh area but it looks like a Bonnetina to me... I doubt it is... but its stoutness... dont know...

 

[GQ.]

Immortal! Long time no speak. Yeah, he is fairly small. The female is still small too even though she has a big booty. I was surprised to see him out wandering since he wasn't molted out into a male at that time. He hasn't grown much since I've had him. He still eats now, but he usually just kills the cricket and leaves it to rot. I'll try to snap a picture of him next to a good size point of reference tonight or tomorrow night. I'd like to see a pic of your "Cuernavaca" T if you have one. Good to hear from you. Later!

 

[Immortal_sin]

my mature male probably isn't more than 3.75" or so...MAYBE 4" if I stretched him out on a rack LOL
Here he is...
He's not as fresh as he was, and he's getting a bit faded...

 

[Immortal_sin]

I found one of him newly matured...his carapace was much more coppery (like your pic)

 

[GQ.]

That last picture looks just like the female. Less coppery than the male, but the same overall coloration. Where is he from? Very cool.

 

[Immortal_sin]

I don't know...he was given to Shelby at the 2002 ATS conference by a guy named Georgio..
I don't know where he got him from either....