Pocock described a new species of Aphonopelma in 1903; Aphonopelma albiceps from Venta de Zopilote in Guerrero, Mexico. Only in 2005 Locht et al. redescribed the species and placed it in the genus Brachypelma.
Venta de zopilote in Guerrero, Mexico
Just like many other red leg Brachypelma species, Brachypelma albiceps is found in the ecoregion Balsas dry forest. Unlike the habitat along the pacific coast, the inland side of the Sierra Madre del Sur is extremer, hotter and drier. Brachypelma albiceps burrows under large stones. juvenile specimens are found under stones.
Daytime temperature is about 35C. The temperature drops at night to 20C. This is due to the altitude where Brachypelma albiceps is found. The coastal Brachypelma species are all found under 600m altitude. Brachypelma albiceps however can be found over 1000m altitude.
Brachypelma albiceps in burrow. Burrow was covered by a large stone.
Bottom: Distribution of Brachypelma albiceps after A. Locht, M. Yañez and I. Vazquez
Top: Climate graph compiled with data from: http://smn.cna.gob.mx
Large rocks make a perfect hide for Brachypelma albiceps.
Brachypelma albiceps in need
of a molt.
Brachypelma albiceps freshly molted.
1000m altitude, the habitat of Brachypelma albiceps.
male and female Bonnetina sp. fount sympatric with Brachypelma albiceps.
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