Rio Grande Gold (Aphonopelma moderatum)
Last updated: October 7, 2026
This is not a care guide. If you are interested in keeping this species, please research its husbandry thoroughly before purchasing. Tom's Big Spiders has species-specific husbandry notes that are a solid place to start.
Quick facts
- Adult size
- About 5 inches (females)
- From
- Rio Grande region of Texas and Mexico
- Lifestyle
- Burrower
- Type
- New World
One of the few Aphonopelma to have any kind of patterning. A. moderatum is a typical tan color, but with orange cream accents on the legs. Their knees are black, giving their legs a striped appearance. Living most of their lives in the ground, this species is a joy to see out and about.
Native to the Rio Grande, this species has range in both southern Texas and northern Mexico. This has earned it the common name of “Rio Grande Gold Tarantula”, due to its geographical location and its pale yellowish orange body color. Females can reach around 5 inches at full size, and can live a long time, like most Aphonopelma species.
Current Prices
Aphonopelma moderatum (Rio Grande Gold) currently sells for between $37.50 and $200.00 in the United States, with a median asking price of $148.00 across 5 in-stock listings from 4 vendors. Price depends mostly on size and sex: slings sit at the low end, mature females at the high end.
| Cheapest listing right now | $37.50 |
|---|---|
| Typical price (median) | $148.00 |
| Most expensive listing | $200.00 |
| Listings in stock | 5 |
| Vendors carrying it | 4 |
In stock at: Pacific Northwest Arachnids, Spider Shoppe, The Spider Room, Vexotic Me. Compare every Aphonopelma moderatum listing by price.
Prices as of October 14, 2026. Live figures in the table below.
Related Guides
- How Much Substrate Do I Need?
- What to Expect When Ordering a Tarantula Online
- Why Buying From One Vendor Can Save You Money on Shipping
This profile was written by Jonathan Strub, a fellow keeper. Thank you, Jonathan! I did some light copy editing.