Tarantula

Male desert tarantulas (Aphonopelma chalcodes) are most visible at dawn or dusk, particularly in the late fall and spring when temperatures are most suitable for them to travel in pursuit of females. Otherwise, they are typically nocturnal and stay close to their burrows. They feed on insects, mice, lizards, and other small animals that they hunt mostly by feel in the dark. Males have longer legs than females after thier fist molt. Females can live for 20 years or more. These tarantulas are reluctant to attack humans, and the venom in their bite is no more toxic than bees or wasps (Milne and Milne, 1980). This one was crossing the road near Scotty's Castle.