''Thrixopelma ockerti'', commonly known as the Peruvian Flame Rump or Flame Rump Tree Spider, is a species of

tarantula Tarantulas comprise a group of large and often hairy spiders of the family Theraphosidae. , 1,040 species have been identified, with 156 genera. The term "tarantula" is usually used to describe members of the family Theraphosidae, although ...

and the

type species In zoological nomenclature, a type species (''species typica'') is the species name with which the name of a genus or subgenus is considered to be permanently taxonomically associated, i.e., the species that contains the biological type specimen ...

of the genus ''

Thrixopelma ''Thrixopelma'' is a genus of South American tarantulas that was first described by Günter E. W. Schmidt in 1994. They are medium to large tarantulas, usually being 35mm to 60mm in body length. Diagnosis Males can be distinguished by the pres ...

''. It is

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...

Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = Seal (emblem), National seal , national_motto = "Fi ...

and was first described by Gunter Schmidt in 1994. It is named o''ckerti'' after the collector Roland Ockert.

Description

Females live up to 15 years, while males live only up to 4. Their

carapace A carapace is a Dorsum (biology), dorsal (upper) section of the exoskeleton or shell in a number of animal groups, including arthropods, such as crustaceans and arachnids, as well as vertebrates, such as turtles and tortoises. In turtles and tor ...

and legs are a dark blue, almost black, the

opisthosoma The opisthosoma is the posterior part of the body in some arthropods, behind the prosoma (cephalothorax). It is a distinctive feature of the subphylum Chelicerata (arachnids, horseshoe crabs and others). Although it is similar in most respects to a ...

is the same color, covered in reddish, pinkish hairs, with a darker colored urticating patch.

Habitat

Its type locality is in

Huánuco Province The Huánuco Province is one of 11 provinces of the Huánuco Region in Peru. The capital of the province is the city of Huánuco. History Geography Some of the highest mountains of the province are listed below: Political division The p ...

, as such I will be referring to it in this section. It owns both

jungles A jungle is land covered with dense forest and tangled vegetation, usually in tropical climates. Application of the term has varied greatly during the past recent century. Etymology The word ''jungle'' originates from the Sanskrit word ''ja� ...

and

mountain A mountain is an elevated portion of the Earth's crust, generally with steep sides that show significant exposed bedrock. Although definitions vary, a mountain may differ from a plateau in having a limited Summit (topography), summit area, and ...

ranges, with average temperatures of 24°C, and average yearly rainfall of 400mm.

Behavior

They are semi arboreal, semi terrestrial

tarantulas Tarantulas comprise a group of large and often hairy spiders of the family Theraphosidae. , 1,040 species have been identified, with 156 genera. The term "tarantula" is usually used to describe members of the family Theraphosidae, although m ...

, they're surprisingly docile and calm tarantulas being out on the open for the majority of the time. They own

urticating hairs Urticating hairs or urticating bristles are one of the primary defense mechanisms used by numerous plants, almost all New World tarantulas, and various lepidopteran caterpillars. ''Urtica'' is Latin for "nettle" (stinging nettles are in the genus ...

they are not afraid to use, throwing them to anyone who bothers them. In nature they can be seen somewhat communal, but in captivity this is not recommended at all.

References

Theraphosidae Spiders of South America Endemic fauna of Peru Fauna of Peru Spiders described in 1994 {{Theraphosidae-stub

Description

Habitat

Behavior

See also

References