Will The Pink Toe Tarantula Make A Great Pet For Beginners

The Pink Toe Tarantula, also known as Guyana pinktoe, Common Pink Toe, South American Pink Toe, and Avicularia avicularia, is a tarantula species endemic to Brazil, southern Carribean, and Costa Rica. This tree-dwelling tarantula loves climbing and has gorgeous pink-tipped legs, hence its name. If you want to know more about the Pink Toe Tarantula, make sure to read further!

History

This tarantula species was among the numerous species first described in 1758 by Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus, the father of modern taxonomy. In the wild, Pink Toe Tarantulas are fast-moving, agile tarantulas that take refuge in trees where they create large spider webs. As exotic pets, Pink Toe Tarantula species require environments that mimic their habitat so they feel comfortable. While other tarantula species enjoy being handled, these tarantulas are more meant to please you and your guests’ eyes. Prepare to be amazed by its interesting behaviors, habits, and characteristics!

Characteristics of a Pink Toe Tarantula

Average leg span: 3.5 to 5 inches

Average life span: Males live up to 5 years, while females live up to 10 years

An adult Pink Toe Tarantula has a dark-colored body and orange to pinkish feet. Juveniles tend to have pinkish bodies and dark feet, which undergo a reversal in their colors on the way to adulthood at 4 to 5 years. Compared to other tarantulas, Pink Toe Tarantulas have a shorter lifespan. These tarantulas showcase sexual dimorphism, with males possessing uniformly barbed urticating hairs, while females only have those at the proximal end.

They are considered ambush or sit-and-wait predators, meaning they capture prey by strategy and stealth rather than speed or strength. Pink Toe Tarantulas use their silk spun as a trap and motion sensor. They can display a variety of behaviors such as foraging, active hunting, and construction of tunnels and nests.

Caring for a Pink Toe Tarantula

As arboreal species, the Pink Toe Tarantula requires a tall habitat with adequate climbing space. It is a quiet tarantula that will spend most of its time in a restful state. Most of its activity includes hunting and climbing. It can share its enclosure with others of the same species, but one does not necessarily need company. Keep in mind that housing more than one Pink Toe Tarantula increases the risk of injury and cannibalism.

Some pet owners enjoy handling them, but most enjoy just by watching them. Pink Toe Tarantulas tend to be skittish and may attempt to jump out of your hands when startled, which is why it’s essential to handle it while you are sitting on the ground. Be careful when handling it, too, as it may bite. Its bite contains toxic venom, which may cause redness, swelling, and in extreme cases, severe allergic reactions.

For the enclosure, a single Pink Toe Tarantula requires a 10-gallon enclosure with secure sides. The enclosure should contain 2 to 3 inches of soil or peat moss that is free from pesticides and fertilizers. Decorate the enclosure with live plants, branches, and small logs to accommodate your pet’s climbing behavior.

When it comes to the temperature of the enclosure, it should be around 78 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Reptile heat lights and under=tank heaters can provide additional ambient heat to your pet’s enclosure. Make sure to monitor the temperature using a thermometer regularly.

Since Pink Toe Tarantulas come from humid climates, it is necessary to keep the humidity level between 65% and 75%. To raise humidity, add a sponge soaked in water at one corner of the enclosure, or better yet, mist the enclosure twice or thrice a week using clean water in a spray bottle.

Keep the enclosure clean and stress-free for your pet by removing uneaten prey after 24 hours. Monitor for mold growth, which is a common occurrence in a humid environment. Remove portions of the substrate that have molds in it.

For the food, you can provide live crickets for your spider pet. In most cases, pet owners also keep and feed live crickets alongside their pets to make sure that the prey is gut-loaded, meaning fed with nutritious foods. We highly recommend feeding your Pink ToeTarantula in the evening when it’s more active. Adult tarantulas usually eat a few live crickets every three to ten days.