The pink-toe tarantula is a captivating species that offers both beauty and intrigue to arachnid enthusiasts. With proper care and maintenance, these arboreal wonders can thrive in captivity, providing endless fascination for their keepers.
The scientific name of this species is Avicularia avicularia. The other names are Guyana Pink Toe and South America Pink Toe Spiders. This tarantula is native to Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Trinidad and Tobago, Peru, Bolivia and Brazil.
The pink-toe tarantula thrives amidst lush vegetation and humid climates of these regions.
These arboreal tarantulas are skilled climbers, often found clinging to tree branches or hiding in foliage to avoid predators and hunt prey.
The pink-toe tarantula has a dark-colored body with pinkish feet sprouting off of furry black legs. The juveniles have a pinkish body and dark-colored feet. These juveniles show a reversal in coloration as they approach adulthood in 4-5 years.
This New World Tarantula has a fast growth rate. Its low-maintenance, docile temperament and interesting behavior, make it a good choice for beginners.
Whether you’re a seasoned tarantula keeper or a curious beginner, the Pink Toe Tarantula is sure to captivate your imagination and enrich your journey into the world of exotic pets.
MALE VS FEMALE
Distinguishing between male and female Pink Toe Tarantulas can be challenging until they reach sexual maturity, typically around 2-3 years of age. Mature males are generally smaller and more slender than females, with noticeably longer legs and pedipalps. In contrast, females are larger-bodied with shorter legs and a more robust build.
Behavior of Pink Toe Tarantula
One of the most intriguing aspects of the pink-toe tarantula is its distinctive behavior.
Unlike many ground-dwelling tarantulas, these agile spiders prefer to spend their time in elevated positions, utilizing their unique pink-tipped toes to grip onto surfaces with ease.
These tarantulas are active hunters and aggressive feeders. They are often seen to construct nests or funnel like structures with nearby debris.
Their arboreal nature makes them excellent climbers and adds an element of grace to their movements.
In response to threats, it prefers running, leaping away, and adopting a threat posture by raising fangs. Under extreme conditions, it may tend to bite if it feels unsafe.
Exercise
As every creature requires physical movements for its well being, the Pink -Toe tarantula also keep itself fit by climbing the trees in the wild.
However, in captivity, the type of enclosure plays a vital role for your tarantula to pursue its physical fitness. The vertically elevated enclosures gives this species enough room to climb and maintain its fitness.
Grooming
The tarantulas keep themselves well-groomed through molting. In this process of Molting, tarantulas lose their exoskeleton numerous times to reach adulthood. This process takes place many a time in the life cycle of the tarantula.
A special care is needed when your tarantula prepares to molt. It shows some significant reduction in its activity and appetite.
The female Pink Toe tarantula undergoes this process of grooming more frequently as compared to their male counterparts and hence maintains its stunning appearance. The spiderlings undergoes the process of molting 5-6 times in the first year of their growth.
How To Care For A Pet Pink Toe Tarantula ?
The owner of the South American Pink Toe tarantula needs to provide less care for it. To extend the life of your pet tarantula, you can replicate their natural habitat, provide them with a healthy diet, maintain the required range of temperature and humidity, and take care of any health issues.
Pink Toe Tarantula Enclosure
Originating from the lush rainforests of South America, the Pink Toe Tarantula is a master of the arboreal realm. As skilled climbers, these remarkable creatures can be found gracefully navigating the canopy, using their distinctive pink-tipped toes to grip onto branches with remarkable agility.
In their natural habitat, they seek refuge amidst the verdant foliage, where they can evade predators and hunt for prey with stealth and precision.
In its artificial habitat, Avicularia loves to climb on the branches of logs or hide within leaf litter or remain outside. Due to its adaptability, the Guyana Pink Toe tarantula requires less care from the pet owner in captivity. However, certain points should be taken into consideration while setting up the terrarium of your Pink-toe tarantula.
Size Of The Habitat
The plastic/acrylic enclosures allow easier modifications as per the requirement. The size of the enclosure should be around 3 times the size of the Pink Toe tarantula. As these tarantulas are skilled climbers and need enough room for movement, a 10-gallon vertical enclosure will be apt. These stunning tarantulas spin web at height so side side-opening terrarium is preferred for feeding or rehousing the pink toe.
Substrate Requirements
Since these tarantulas are arboreal so you must provide them with small logs, branches, and live plants for climbing. The substrate can be shallow, for instance, 2-3” will be sufficient for the Pink-Toe tarantulas.
A substrate made with organic soil, coco fiber, and peat moss can keep your eight-legged companion happy. A half-buried piece of cork, bark, or wood can start the entrance of a burrow and also help reduce your spider’s stress.
Required Temperature And Humidity Range
A vertically oriented terrarium, complete with ample climbing opportunities and lush vegetation, mimics their native environment and provides them with a sense of security. Maintaining temperatures between 78-82°F and humidity levels around 70-80% is essential for their comfort and vitality. Regular misting of the enclosure helps to maintain optimal humidity levels and provides essential hydration. Alternatively, a sponge soaked with water can be placed inside the cage to provide the required hydration.
The temperature can be maintained with the help of under-tank heaters or reptile heat lights. The humidity levels can be monitored with the help of a hygrometer.
Specific Requirements For Spiderlings
This tarantula is also very fast as slings and prone to leaping away and erratically running around the enclosure when disturbed, so be sure to give them an enclosure that provides enough room to move around so they don’t dash out of their enclosure anytime you open the lid.
Diet Of Pink Toe Tarantula
In the wild, pink-toe tarantulas are opportunistic hunters, preying on a variety of insects including crickets, cockroaches, and moths. As captives, they thrive on a diet of appropriately sized live insects, such as crickets, mealworms, and Dubia roaches, offered once or twice a week. It is crucial to ensure that their prey is gut-loaded and dusted with essential nutrients and promote overall health.
They are ambush predators; they sit in wait, strike approaching prey, and quickly inject venom to immobilize it.
To keep these Pinky toe tarantulas healthy and satisfied, a live prey can be given. It’s essential to provide live prey to stimulate the tarantula’s hunting instincts and promote natural behaviors.
Feeding
In captivity, a varied diet consisting of crickets, mealworms, cockroaches, and occasional treats such as waxworms, frogs, or frozen pinky mice will help ensure nutritional balance.
Crickets
Tarantulas love crickets as food, and you can easily find them at your neighborhood pet store. Vita-Bugs crickets are boosted with beta-carotene, vitamin E, vitamin A, and omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, adding to their excellent nutritional content.
Dubia Roaches
Another excellent choice is Dubia roaches, which have up to 28% protein and can provide a nutritious meal for larger tarantulas.
Mealworms
Although mealworms and waxworms are high in calcium, phosphorus, and protein, their high-fat content means that feeding amounts should be controlled. The large superworms, green hornworms, red runners, or any other large invertebrate feeder can also be given at times.
Grasshoppers
Grasshoppers are very nutritious. They’re about 40 percent protein, 43 percent fat, and 13 percent dietary fiber.
Diet Schedule
Feeding frequency depends on the age and size of your tarantula. Adults may only require feeding once or twice a week, while younger specimens may benefit from more frequent meals. Always remove uneaten prey items to prevent them from injuring or stressing your tarantula.
For example,6-8 crickets every other week can be given to an adult pink-Toe Tarantula. However pre-killed pinhead crickets can be given to the spiderlings. The efficient digestive system allows it to liquefy its prey before consuming it, showcasing its unique feeding mechanism.
You should offer appropriately sized prey once or twice a week and adjust the quantity based on your tarantula’s size and appetite.
It is advisable to check for the frequency of diet and the amount from a veterinarian.
Handling
While pink-toe tarantulas are renowned for their calm demeanor, handling should be approached with caution and respect. Gentle and deliberate movements, coupled with a deep understanding of their behavior, are essential for fostering a positive interaction.
Gentle coaxing using soft brushes or a hand-held container is recommended for minimal stress. Additionally, providing ample hiding and climbing spots within their enclosure fosters a sense of security and reduces anxiety.
Because arboreal species like Pink-Toe have such furry bodies, handling them can be a good experience.
However, when rehousing poses the true risk of obtaining hairs on your skin. Because this Tarantula is known to kick hair under stress. You should be extra cautious while coming into close contact with them for example, if you empty the substrate during enclosure, cleaning or move the substrate around in the enclosure.
When a tarantula is molting, or shedding its skin, extra precaution is required.
If you observe the signs of lethargy, loss of appetite, and dull and sluggish behavior of your Pink Toe tarantula, these may be signs of molting. You should not feed your tarantula during pre-molt and post-molt as the skin of your tarantula is quite tender. Even given food can create devastating effects on the well-being of your tarantula
Interesting Facts About Pink Toe Tarantula
- These tarantulas love to live at height such as, in trees.
- The Pink Toe tarantulas spin funnel shaped webs at heights.
- These tarantulas exhibit interesting behaviors and that makes them good display tarantulas.
- The female lays around 50-200 eggs. It wraps the eggs into a ball and guards this egg-sac.
- The behavior of pink-toe tarantula is peculiar under stress. They “fire poop” under threat.
- Spiderlings molt 5-6 times in the first year.
Related Species of Pink Toe Tarantula
Within the Avicularia genus, a plethora of captivating tarantula species await discovery. From the striking blue hues of Avicularia versicolor to the metallic luster of Avicularia metallica, each species possesses its own unique allure and charm. Exploring the diverse array of Avicularia species offers enthusiasts a glimpse into the rich tapestry of the tarantula .However some other docile tarantulas which make wonderful pets are
- Costa Rican Zebra Tarantula (Aphonopelma seemanni)
- Mexican Red knee Tarantula (Brachypelma hamorii)
- Desert Blond Tarantula (Aphonopelma chalcodes)
- Antilles Pink Toe Tarantula (Caribena versicolor)
Tarantula Communities
You can find like-minded people having a strong affinity towards these beautiful arachnids and you can join them by clicking on the following links.
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetarantulacommunity/
- https://www.tarantulasoftheworld.com/tarantula-communities/
- https://www.thebts.co.uk/forums/index.php
Where To Buy Pink Toe Tarantula?
The Pink toe Tarantula is the most popular among novice hobbyists and can be purchased from reputable breeder or exotic pet rescue organizations.
The cost of the pink Toe lies in an affordable range. The average cost of this Tarantula is between $20- $40.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question1:What is the temperament of Pink toe tarantulas?
Answer: Pink toe tarantulas are known for their generally docile temperament. While they can be skittish, they are less likely to bite compared to other species of tarantulas.
Question2:What do Pink toe tarantulas eat?
Answer: In the wild, Pink toe tarantulas primarily feed on insects like crickets, roaches, and moths. In captivity, they can be fed a diet of appropriately sized insects, supplemented occasionally with small vertebrates like pinky mice.
Question3:How big do Pink toe tarantulas get?
Answer: Pink toe tarantulas are medium-sized tarantulas, with a leg span that typically ranges from 4 to 6 inches (10 to 12 centimeters).
Question4:What type of enclosure is suitable for Pink toe tarantulas?
Answer: Pink toe tarantulas are arboreal, meaning they prefer to climb, so a vertically oriented enclosure with plenty of branches and foliage for climbing is ideal. A taller enclosure rather than a wide one is preferred.
Question5: Will my pink toe bite?
Answer: The pink toe tarantulas are docile and do not have tendency to bite. However, under extreme circumstances it will rather flee than to bite.
Question6: Are Pink toe tarantulas venomous?
Answer: Yes, Pink toe tarantulas possess venom like all tarantulas, but their venom is mild and not considered dangerous to humans. Bites are rare and usually result in minor irritation.
Question7: How long do Pink toe tarantulas live?
Answer: With proper care, Pink toe tarantulas can live for around 5 to 10 years in captivity. However, their lifespan can vary based on factors like gender, care, and genetics.
Question8 :Why is my Pink Toe tarantula pink?
Answer: The tarantula has a bright blue coloration as juveniles and it changes colors as it matures.
Question9: Are Pink Toe tarantula make good pets?
Answer: Due to their calm and docile temperament, these are suitable for novice tarantula keepers.
Question 10: Can Pink Toe Tarantulas jump?
Answer: These arboreal tarantulas use their powerful leg muscles to jump from branch to branch in their natural habitat.
