What is an Arizona blond tarantula?

The Arizona blond tarantula is a burrowing spider with a 3- to 4-inch body usually found in deserts of the southwestern United States and in areas with a large number of saguaro plants. Females are tan in color, and males are copper with black legs.

These nocturnal predators defend themselves with venom and with their barbed hair, which they embed into their attackers. Males are 10 to 12 years old when they mate, and females are usually 10 years old when they mate for the first time. Mating occurs during the summer months. Males typically die soon after mating: sometimes at the "hands" of their mates who eat them.