Pinktoe Tarantula

Scientific Name: Avicularia avicularia. ‘Avicula’ means little bird and ‘aria’ meaning pertaining to. This name comes from the fact that they can eat small birds once fully grown. Their scientific name is the same word repeated as they are the only species in their genus. 

Description: Adult Pinktoe tarantulas appear exactly as the name suggests: they have dark bodies and distinct pink feet. Juveniles, however, have a pink body and dark feet, which reverses once they mature between 4 and 5 years old. These tarantulas can grow to a 3 to 4.5 inch leg span. 

Behavior: Female Pinktoe tarantulas can live up to 12 years, while males only live around 4. As solitary creatures, females will sometimes cannibalize their partners after mating. These adorable spiders are a relatively active species. They are arboreal (meaning they live in trees or bushes) and can jump small distances to get around. Pinktoes are ambush predators that also exhibit active hunting and foraging practices. Web traps are a common strategy for catching prey, but these tarantulas may also build nests or tunnels with nearby debris. Generally docile in nature, Pinktoes would rather flee if threatened. When provoked, they have interesting defensive behaviors. Unlike most new world tarantulas, hairs must be transferred through direct contact. Since they cannot kick hairs, Pinktoes will throw their feces instead! Other defensive behaviors include biting to inject their mild venom and assuming a threatening posture. 

Diet: Pinktoe tarantulas commonly feed on small insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, roaches, and moths. When fully grown, they will sometimes also eat small vertebrates like small birds, lizards or amphibians.

Range & Habitat:  These tarantulas are found in the rainforests of Central and South America.

Map: iNaturalist

Conservation: Living in a forested habitat means that Pinktoes are susceptible to the effects of deforestation. Habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation can displace wild populations and cause a decline in numbers. Additionally, illegal pet trading systems promote damage to existing wild populations.

How you can help: Always make sure to support legal and ethical breeders or suppliers when deciding to purchase a new pet. Supporting organizations or legislation that work to protect natural areas and resources may reduce the effects of deforestation, which is beneficial to biodiversity as a whole.