Phrixotrichus scrofa
| Phrixotrichus scrofa | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Mygalomorphae |
| Family: | Theraphosidae |
| Genus: | Phrixotrichus |
| Species: | P. scrofa |
| Binomial name | |
| Phrixotrichus scrofa (Molina, 1782)[1] | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Phrixotrichus scrofa is a tarantula spider, commonly known as the Chilean copper, Chilean pink burst or Chilean violet tarantula.[2] It was first described by Juan Ignacio Molina in 1782.[1] Its synonyms include Phrixotrichus auratus, Paraphysa scrofa, and possibly Phrixotrichus chilensis.[1] It is native to Chile and Argentina,[1] inhabiting mainly arid forests,[3] and is kept as a pet somewhat commonly.
Description
In captivity, females live 25 years, while males can only live 4 to 5 years, under proper care, and getting to be roughly 10 cm in size. Males are usually more colorful and vibrant.[4] They have grey legs, reaching all the way to their trochanters, which are a copper red color. Its carapace is the same copper red color as the trochanter, with the opisthosoma being a copper red color nearest to the carapace, transitioning to a grey further away.
Distribution and habitat
Phrixotrichus scrofa is native to Chile and Argentina.[1] In Chile, they are known from some locations in the Biobío region, more specifically in Colcura and Valle de Nonguén.[4] The average yearly temperatures in Valle de Nonguén are 14 °C, with an average rainfall of 735 mm, with some of the local vegetation being raulí, tineo and huillipatagu.[5]
Behavior
They are terrestrial tarantulas, being very active and docile, although not often, if they have enough anchor points, they may even produce a web. While owning urticating hairs, they rarely use them.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Taxon details Phrixotrichus scrofa (Molina, 1782)", World Spider Catalog, Natural History Museum Bern, retrieved 2022-06-11
- ^ a b "Phrixotrichus scrofa". Theraphosidae. 2015-09-25. Archived from the original on August 24, 2017. Retrieved 2022-06-08.
- ^ EXOTIC-PETS.CO.UK. "Chile Pink Burst Tarantula - Phrixotrichus scrofa". www.exotic-pets.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-06-08.
- ^ a b Montenegro, Ruben; Milenko, A. (2015). "Phrixotrichus scrofa (Molina, 1782)" (PDF). Clasificacion Especies. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- ^ "Parque Nacional Nonguén – Territorio Nonguen" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-06-09.