Pink Toe Tarantula Care Sheet

Common name : pink toe tarantula 

Species name : avicularia avicularia 

Group or family : avicularia 

PR keeper level : 3 

PR handler level : 2

Species background or natural history : The avicularia avicularia is a extremely popular tarantula in the hobby due it's docile nature compared to most arboreal tarantula species. This is the first arboreal species many people get and is one of the most popular species. 

Physical description : this species is an overall metallic black/blue with pink tarsus. This species maxes out at around 5 inches , with males being leggier than females and females being heavier body'd . 

Distribution: this species is found throughout topical areas of Brazil, Trinidad, Guyana, French Guyana, Surinam, Venezuela, and the Amazon Basin.

Life span : males live 5 years and die soon after they mature , females live up to 10 years . 

Caging : with this species height is much more important than width , a tall enclosure with out a screen top is recommend . Screen tops are a safety hazard especially with this species because they are constantly climbing and could get there legs caught in the mesh and can possibly loose a leg. Only 1 inch of substrate is recommended since they're never really on the ground , zoomed Eco earth is a great substrate for this species . 

Cage decor if any : this species should be given a vertical branch or any wood decor than can be used by your tarantula as a hide. You can also add fake or live plants which helps the trails feel more secure and will help with humidity . 

Temp : the temperature for this species should be kept at 75 -80f 

Heating and lighting : this species doesn't need any heating or lighting as long as your house stays at 75°-80°F. If your hose drops below that , a small portable heater is recommended to heat up the room. 

Humidity and water : the humidity should be kept at 70%-80%. The substrate should be kept mildly moist. The enclosure and substrate should be misted once a week. For this species to thrive high humidity and good ventilation is needed .You can place a water bowl on the substrate or glue one on a vertical branch.

Diet and feeding : this species can feed on crickets , super worms , locust , and roaches as long as the prey item is of an appropriate size.

Supplements : tarantulas do not need supplements 

Breeding : you have to have a mature male and a mature female to breed. You must put the male in the females enclosure , if all goes well he will hold the females fangs with his tibial hooks and inject his sperm into the female. You must be ready to separate them once they are done mating , if not the female might try to eat the male. If the breeding was successful the female with produce an egg sack. They lay between 50 to 200 eggs that hatch in six to eight weeks. When the time comes you will have to take the egg sack from the female , put in an incubator and cut the egg sack when its ready. You must then separate each sling and put them in individual containers. 

Handling your new pet : the avicularia avicularia is a very fast and agile tarantula so care must be taken when handling this species because they can easily run of your hand. This species rather flee then bite and if fleeing doesn't work they will defecate on you , biting is their last resort .