Avicularia is a genus of the tarantula family that had about 50 species before, which reduced to 12 as per the 2017 records of the World Spider Catalog. One of the striking features of the spiders belonging to this genus is their innate ability to leap or run at a top speed when threatened or anxious. Their extraordinary jumping ability earns them the name ‘flying spiders’ in the rainforests they inhabit.
Size: Females are 0.18-4.3 in (0.45-10.9 cm), while males are smaller.
Color: They have a brown to black body, with a pinkish foot pad.
Other Characteristic Features: These spiders have thick hairs all over their body, and all species exhibits pink pads on their foot.
The number of eggs range from 50 to 2,000, deposited in a sliken sac.
After hatching, the spiderlings stay in the nest for a few days and feed on egg yolks then.
Like most other species of the tarantula family, the spiders of this genus also do not make webs. However, males of certain species spin a tubular-shaped sperm web.
They are mildly venomous with their bites leading to mild symptoms like redness, swelling, and itching.
| Distribution | South America |
| Habitat | Rainforest and moist areas |
| Diet | Insects |
| Web Type | Sperm web for mating |
| Lifespan | Males: 3-4 years Females: 10-12 years |
Image Credits: tarantula-and-scorpion-handlers-blog.blogspot.com
Avicularia is a genus of the tarantula family that had about 50 species before, which reduced to 12 as per the 2017 records of the World Spider Catalog. One of the striking features of the spiders belonging to this genus is their innate ability to leap or run at a top speed when threatened or anxious. Their extraordinary jumping ability earns them the name ‘flying spiders’ in the rainforests they inhabit.
Size: Females are 0.18-4.3 in (0.45-10.9 cm), while males are smaller.
Color: They have a brown to black body, with a pinkish foot pad.
Other Characteristic Features: These spiders have thick hairs all over their body, and all species exhibits pink pads on their foot.
The number of eggs range from 50 to 2,000, deposited in a sliken sac.
After hatching, the spiderlings stay in the nest for a few days and feed on egg yolks then.
Like most other species of the tarantula family, the spiders of this genus also do not make webs. However, males of certain species spin a tubular-shaped sperm web.
They are mildly venomous with their bites leading to mild symptoms like redness, swelling, and itching.
| Distribution | South America |
| Habitat | Rainforest and moist areas |
| Diet | Insects |
| Web Type | Sperm web for mating |
| Lifespan | Males: 3-4 years Females: 10-12 years |
Image Credits: tarantula-and-scorpion-handlers-blog.blogspot.com
