Home / Tarantulas / Amazonian Pink Toe Spider (Avicularia juruensis)

Amazonian Pink Toe Spider (Avicularia juruensis)

The Amazonian pink toe spider is a special kind of tarantula. It calls central South America its home. If you’re curious about this spider with pink toes, we’ve got some neat facts to tell you about it. Ready to learn more?

Scientific Classification

Avicularia Juruensis

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

  • Size: Male: 14.8 cm Female: 15.4 cm
  • Color: There are two color morphs of this spider – one having a pink and golden sheen, with a white carapace, and the other having a more intense purple body color with yellow leg rings.
  • Other Characteristic Features: Sexual dimorphism exists in the form of their setae, with females having reddish-brown bristles and males having white-tipped setae.

Eggs

This tarantula lays their eggs inside a sac which it fiercely guards.

Spiderlings

The spiderlings do not have the metallic sheen of the adults. Their tarsi are black, contrasting with the rest of the leg, which is lighter.

The Web

They build silk retreats with their webbing but do not use them for hunting for prey.

Are Amazonian Pink Toe Tarantulas Venomous?

Yes, Amazonian Pink Toe Tarantulas have venom. They mainly use it to catch their meals.

Can Amazonian Pink Toe Tarantulas Bite?

They can bite, but usually, they’re pretty peaceful. If they feel cornered or scared, they might defend themselves. Most of the time, they prefer to stay out of trouble. The bite of this spider isn’t very deadly, and its venom is comparable to that of a bee sting.

Amazonian Pink Toe Spider

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Amazonian Pink Toe Spider

In the dense foliage of their forest habitats, Amazonian Pink Toe Tarantulas play a pivotal role as both predator and prey. They aid in controlling the populations of insects and occasionally small reptiles and amphibians, thus maintaining an ecological equilibrium.

Natural Predators: Predation threats to these tarantulas come from birds, mammals, and even other larger spiders. Their survival tactics include camouflage, flight, and their venomous bite as a last resort.

Prey-Predator Dynamics: The prey-predator relationship is crucial for ecological balance, with the Amazonian Pink Toe Tarantula at the helm of controlling pest populations, which might otherwise overrun the forest undergrowth.

Relationship with Humans: Encounters with humans are rare as they reside in the canopies of South American forests. They are sometimes sought after as exotic pets for their striking appearance and longevity, especially females who live up to 12 years. Their presence in their natural habitat is also a strong indicator of a healthy, biodiverse ecosystem.

Quick Facts

Other namesPeruvian pinktoe tarantula
LifespanMales: 3-4 years, Females: 10-12 years
DistributionBrazil (Acre, Amazonas, and Pará), Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru
HabitatForests
DietInsects (ants, beetles, crickets, worms), small amphibians and reptiles

Did You Know

  • Brazilian zoologist Cândido Firmino de Mello-Leitão first described this spider in 1923.

Peruvian Pinktoe Tarantula

In summary, the Amazonian Pink Toe Tarantula not only captures the imagination with its striking colors but also commands respect for its role in the rich tapestry of the rainforest ecology.

The Amazonian pink toe spider is a special kind of tarantula. It calls central South America its home. If you’re curious about this spider with pink toes, we’ve got some neat facts to tell you about it. Ready to learn more?

Avicularia Juruensis

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

  • Size: Male: 14.8 cm Female: 15.4 cm
  • Color: There are two color morphs of this spider – one having a pink and golden sheen, with a white carapace, and the other having a more intense purple body color with yellow leg rings.
  • Other Characteristic Features: Sexual dimorphism exists in the form of their setae, with females having reddish-brown bristles and males having white-tipped setae.

Eggs

This tarantula lays their eggs inside a sac which it fiercely guards.

Spiderlings

The spiderlings do not have the metallic sheen of the adults. Their tarsi are black, contrasting with the rest of the leg, which is lighter.

The Web

They build silk retreats with their webbing but do not use them for hunting for prey.

Are Amazonian Pink Toe Tarantulas Venomous?

Yes, Amazonian Pink Toe Tarantulas have venom. They mainly use it to catch their meals.

Can Amazonian Pink Toe Tarantulas Bite?

They can bite, but usually, they’re pretty peaceful. If they feel cornered or scared, they might defend themselves. Most of the time, they prefer to stay out of trouble. The bite of this spider isn’t very deadly, and its venom is comparable to that of a bee sting.

Amazonian Pink Toe Spider

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Amazonian Pink Toe Spider

In the dense foliage of their forest habitats, Amazonian Pink Toe Tarantulas play a pivotal role as both predator and prey. They aid in controlling the populations of insects and occasionally small reptiles and amphibians, thus maintaining an ecological equilibrium.

Natural Predators: Predation threats to these tarantulas come from birds, mammals, and even other larger spiders. Their survival tactics include camouflage, flight, and their venomous bite as a last resort.

Prey-Predator Dynamics: The prey-predator relationship is crucial for ecological balance, with the Amazonian Pink Toe Tarantula at the helm of controlling pest populations, which might otherwise overrun the forest undergrowth.

Relationship with Humans: Encounters with humans are rare as they reside in the canopies of South American forests. They are sometimes sought after as exotic pets for their striking appearance and longevity, especially females who live up to 12 years. Their presence in their natural habitat is also a strong indicator of a healthy, biodiverse ecosystem.

Quick Facts

Other namesPeruvian pinktoe tarantula
LifespanMales: 3-4 years, Females: 10-12 years
DistributionBrazil (Acre, Amazonas, and Pará), Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru
HabitatForests
DietInsects (ants, beetles, crickets, worms), small amphibians and reptiles

Did You Know

  • Brazilian zoologist Cândido Firmino de Mello-Leitão first described this spider in 1923.

Peruvian Pinktoe Tarantula

In summary, the Amazonian Pink Toe Tarantula not only captures the imagination with its striking colors but also commands respect for its role in the rich tapestry of the rainforest ecology.