Antilles pinktoe
Encyclopedia
The Antilles pinktoe tarantula
(Avicularia versicolor), also known as the Martinique Red Tree Spider or the Martinique Pinktoe, is native to Guadeloupe
and Martinique
in the Caribbean Sea
, but is a popular spider
pet due to its docile character and unique coloration.
Antilles pinktoe tarantulas are arboreal (tree-dwelling). They spin elaborate funnel webs in which they spend most of their time. In captivity, cage height is much more important than floor space. Decor consists of tree branches or cork pieces to which the spider can attach its web.
Spiderlings of A. versicolor are bright blue, with a black treetrunk pattern on the abdomen. As they grow, they gradually lose the blue coloration and their carapace
turns green, their abdomen red, their legs green with purple hairs and pink tarsi. They are a more colorful version of their cousin, the Pinktoe tarantula. On average, males are slightly more brightly colored than females. Like most tarantulas, males stay much smaller than females- especially in the abdomen.
s for defense, but unlike terrestrial new world tarantulas they generally do not kick them, chosing to instead press them against the perceived threat when used. Bites from this type of spider are rare, if provoked it flees. Bites are not dangerous; comparable to a wasp sting.
Tarantula
Tarantulas comprise a group of often hairy and often very large arachnids belonging to the family Theraphosidae, of which approximately 900 species have been identified. Some members of the same Suborder may also be called "tarantulas" in the common parlance. This article will restrict itself to...
(Avicularia versicolor), also known as the Martinique Red Tree Spider or the Martinique Pinktoe, is native to Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe is an archipelago located in the Leeward Islands, in the Lesser Antilles, with a land area of 1,628 square kilometres and a population of 400,000. It is the first overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. As with the other overseas departments, Guadeloupe...
and Martinique
Martinique
Martinique is an island in the eastern Caribbean Sea, with a land area of . Like Guadeloupe, it is an overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. To the northwest lies Dominica, to the south St Lucia, and to the southeast Barbados...
in the Caribbean Sea
Caribbean Sea
The Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean located in the tropics of the Western hemisphere. It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles, and to the east by the Lesser Antilles....
, but is a popular spider
Spider
Spiders are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs, and chelicerae with fangs that inject venom. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species diversity among all other groups of organisms...
pet due to its docile character and unique coloration.
Antilles pinktoe tarantulas are arboreal (tree-dwelling). They spin elaborate funnel webs in which they spend most of their time. In captivity, cage height is much more important than floor space. Decor consists of tree branches or cork pieces to which the spider can attach its web.
Spiderlings of A. versicolor are bright blue, with a black treetrunk pattern on the abdomen. As they grow, they gradually lose the blue coloration and their carapace
Carapace
A carapace is a dorsal section of the exoskeleton or shell in a number of animal groups, including arthropods such as crustaceans and arachnids, as well as vertebrates such as turtles and tortoises. In turtles and tortoises, the underside is called the plastron.-Crustaceans:In crustaceans, the...
turns green, their abdomen red, their legs green with purple hairs and pink tarsi. They are a more colorful version of their cousin, the Pinktoe tarantula. On average, males are slightly more brightly colored than females. Like most tarantulas, males stay much smaller than females- especially in the abdomen.
Caring for Antilles Pink Toe
This tarantula requires a delicate balance of good ventilation and high humidity. A terrarium with a screen top and daily misting achieves that balance. The Antilles do well at a temperature of between 75 degrees F, but will tolerate temperatures ranging from 60 to 82 degrees F. They enjoy high humidity- ideally between 70 and 80 percent RHFeeding
The Antilles pinktoe is an aggressive feeder, and will eat anything from crickets, grasshoppers, cockroaches, beetles, moths, and other flying insects, to anole lizards. They will also take mealworms and moth larvae, but these have to be given sparingly due to their fat percentage and the calcium-phosphor proportions.Temperament
Antilles pinktoes are naturally docile, although they are quick and can jump up to 30 cm far or high. They are the sole genus possessing type II urticating hairUrticating hair
Urticating hairs, i.e. stinging hairs, are one of the primary defense mechanisms used by numerous plants, some New World tarantulas, and various lepidopteran caterpillars. Urtica is Latin for "nettle", and hairs that urticate are characteristic of this type of plant, and many other plants in...
s for defense, but unlike terrestrial new world tarantulas they generally do not kick them, chosing to instead press them against the perceived threat when used. Bites from this type of spider are rare, if provoked it flees. Bites are not dangerous; comparable to a wasp sting.
External links
- Caring for Avicularia versicolor
- Tarantulas of the Genus Avicularia
- Photos of Avicularia versicolor and other 13 Avicularia species in gallery of tarantulas.
- Antilles Pink Toed Tarantula - description