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Avicularia

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.

Scientific Classification

Avicularia Spider

 

Spiders Belonging to this Genus

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

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.

Eggs

The number of eggs range from 50 to 2,000, deposited in a sliken sac.

Spiderlings

After hatching, the spiderlings stay in the nest for a few days and feed on egg yolks then.

The Web

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.

Are Spiders of Avicularia Genus Venomous

They are mildly venomous with their bites leading to mild symptoms like redness, swelling, and itching.

Quick Facts

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

Did You Know

  • French naturalist Lamarck described this species for the first time in 1818.
  • Pinktoe tarantula (Avicularia avicularia) one of the significant species of this genus is mostly kept as pets.

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.

Avicularia Spider

 

Spiders Belonging to this Genus

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

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.

Eggs

The number of eggs range from 50 to 2,000, deposited in a sliken sac.

Spiderlings

After hatching, the spiderlings stay in the nest for a few days and feed on egg yolks then.

The Web

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.

Are Spiders of Avicularia Genus Venomous

They are mildly venomous with their bites leading to mild symptoms like redness, swelling, and itching.

Quick Facts

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

Did You Know

  • French naturalist Lamarck described this species for the first time in 1818.
  • Pinktoe tarantula (Avicularia avicularia) one of the significant species of this genus is mostly kept as pets.

Image Credits: tarantula-and-scorpion-handlers-blog.blogspot.com

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