Columbus, Luna County, New Mexico
September 9, 2016
Found wandering through a grassy field after rains at 4635 New Mexico 11, Columbus, NM 88029. Coordinates: 31.785961, -107.626675.
After viewing these images, Dr. Brent Hendrixson (tarantula expert) said: “The spider is Aphonopelma hentzi, a fairly common and widespread species in southern New Mexico. The males have just started moving. If there’s a cloudy day during the next couple weeks, you can drive along many of the highways between I-10 and the border to see them (as well as A. vorhiesi).”