Meet the Brazilian Pink Birdeater, also known as LP or Salmon Pink! This giant spider is one of the world’s largest tarantulas. Many people love to have them as pets because of their impressive size and friendly nature. Join us to uncover cool facts about this amazing creature!
Size: Its body is about 7 inches (17.78 cm) in length while it has a leg span of 8 to 10 inches (20.32 cm to 25.4 cm). They grow at a fast pace, being about 6 inches (15.24 cm) by the time they are a year old.
Color: They have a greyish-black body with pinkish-red hairs on their legs. The males have a brighter coloration with their abdomen being more reddish.
Other Characteristic Features: The males have longer legs while the females are bigger in terms of weight.
Eggs
The thick silken egg sac contains about 500 (but can be as many as 2000) eggs which look round and small when hatched.
Spiderlings
The spiderlings hatch in some time and disperse soon after birth.
The Web
Their webs are not big enough and unlike most other spider species, it is usually not spun for catching prey.
Are Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater Tarantulas Venomous?
Yes, Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater tarantulas have venom. They use it to catch their food. For humans, it’s not seen as a big threat.
Can Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater Tarantulas Bite?
They are docile and do not attack unless provoked. However, their bite is painful and their fangs are said to be an inch in length. Instead of biting, they sting with their hair which may cause skin irritations. Moreover, their hairs could even result in blindness when they get into one’s eyes.
Ecological Importance and Behavior of Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater
The Brazilian Pink Birdeater plays a vital role in the ecosystem as a predator of insects and small animals, helping to keep those populations in check. They exhibit a nocturnal lifestyle, preferring to hunt under the cover of darkness.
Natural Predator: Natural predators include larger animals and birds that may prey on them when they venture outside their burrows.
Prey-Predator Dynamics: As apex invertebrate predators, these tarantulas control the populations of their prey, affecting the ecological balance within their habitat.
Relationship with Humans: While they are a popular choice for exotic pet enthusiasts, the Brazilian Pink Birdeater is also impacted by human activities such as deforestation. Their interaction with humans is minimal in the wild, and they contribute positively to biodiversity when their habitat is preserved.
Quick Facts
Other names
LP, Salmon pink
Lifespan
Males: 3 years; Females: 12 to 17 years
Distribution
Tropical rainforests in Brazil
Habitat
In the forest floor, burrows, or even under logs, leaves and crevices
Diet
Small reptiles and birds, insects and amphibians
Did You Know
Brazilian zoologist, Cândido Firmino de Mello-Leitão discovered it in 1917.
Though these spiders have “bird eaters” attached to their names, they are rarely seen eating birds.
It is not endangered, but their numbers in the Atlantic forest are gradually depleting mostly because of deforestation. The WWF, Nature Conservancy, and other organizations are doing their best to preserve the region and also save the numerous species inhabiting there.
IUCN has not yet assessed their conservation status, while the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) and CMS categorize them as “Not Listed”.
In summary, the Brazilian Pink Birdeater tarantula is an awe-inspiring spider with a significant role in its natural environment.
A full-grown Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater can achieve an impressive leg span of 8 to 10 inches, with a body length around 7 inches. This species is known for its rapid growth, often reaching a leg span of 6 inches within its first year of life.
Lasiodora parahybana tarantulas have a very fast growth rate compared to many other species. Spiderlings can grow to a leg span of approximately 6 inches within their first year under optimal conditions. This rapid development makes them one of the larger tarantulas in a relatively short time.
Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeaters are not considered medically significant to humans, though they possess venom. Their primary defense is flicking urticating hairs, which cause severe skin irritation and can lead to blindness if they enter the eyes. A bite, while painful, is a less common response.
A Salmon Pink Birdeater flicks urticating hairs from its abdomen as a primary defense mechanism when it feels threatened. This is its preferred method of deterrence over biting. These barbed hairs embed in a potential predator’s skin or eyes, causing significant irritation and allowing the tarantula to escape.
The temperament of a Lasiodora parahybana is generally considered docile for its size, but it can be skittish. When provoked, it is far more likely to flick its irritating hairs than to bite. Handling is not recommended due to this defensive behavior and their large, painful fangs.
You can often distinguish a male from a female Salmon Pink Birdeater by physical characteristics. Males typically have longer legs and brighter coloration with a more reddish abdomen. Females are generally larger and heavier-bodied. Accurate identification often requires examining the tarantula’s molted exoskeleton for specific anatomical structures.
Yes, a Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater can bite if it feels provoked, and its fangs can be up to an inch long, resulting in a painful injury. However, biting is a last resort, as this species much prefers to defend itself by flicking its irritating urticating hairs.
Dr. James Watuwa on February 22, 2019.
Spider Team
