Hi Rusty,

Aphonopelma moderatum, or "Rio Grande Gold" is a beautiful species. One of the most attractive of North American species. They are a bit feisty so I wouldn't reccomend handling this one.

As for it changing color, if I'm not mistaken, this species does turn black, or at least the males do when they mature.

Check it & see if you can see tibial spurs on the underside of the first two legs (about halfway down the leg). They will be little black spike looking things. Also, are the pedipalps swollen? Kinda look like boxing gloves? Does he look a little long in the legs now?

If these things exist, it's a boy! He'll soon be making sperm webs and that's a pretty cool site.

I'll have to check to be sure, but I'm almost postive that this is the species that the males turn black when they have their ultimate molt. If it is a male, & he has matured, he won't have much longer to be around. He'll soon me very active and clawing at the sides of his enclosure trying to get out to go find a female to mate with.

Hope this helps.