Caribena

Did you know there’s a special group of tarantulas called Caribena? As of March 2017, there are just two types in this group! They used to be part of another group Avicularia but stand out because of their unique long, thin hairs. Discover fun facts about them right here!

Scientific Classification

Caribena Spider

Spiders Belonging to this Genus

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

  • Size: Females are bigger than males with a length of 4.7 – 5.9 inches (12 – 15 cm).
  • Color: Caribena laeta has a brown body while Caribena versicolor has red, green, purple, and black shades on it.
  • Other Characteristic Features: Male spiders have smaller abdomens than females.

Eggs

Eggs are deposited in a secure way inside a sac.

Spiderlings

Spiderlings show preferences for living close to any surface.

The Web

The spiders make funnel-shaped webs on trees where they spend most of their time.

Are Caribena Tarantulas Venomous?

Yes, Caribena tarantulas do have venom. But guess what? For most humans, this venom isn’t too harmful. They mainly use it to catch their meals.

Can Caribena Tarantulas Bite?

Indeed, Caribena spiders can bite. It might be a bit uncomfortable, but it’s usually not something to be too worried about for most people.

Caribena Versicolor Spider

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Caribena Tarantula

Caribena tarantulas play an essential role in maintaining the ecological balance within their habitats. Their diet, consisting of cockroaches, grasshoppers, wax moths, and crickets, helps control the populations of these insects, contributing to a healthier ecosystem. Their arboreal lifestyle and web-building habits also contribute to the biodiversity of the treetop environments they inhabit.

Natural Predators and Prey-Predator Dynamics: In the wild, Caribena tarantulas face threats from various predators, including birds, larger mammals, and other spiders. These prey-predator dynamics play a crucial role in maintaining the balance within their ecosystems, as they not only contribute to controlling insect populations but also serve as a food source for their predators.

Relationship with Humans: Caribena tarantulas maintain a relatively peaceful coexistence with humans. Their bites are rare and generally not harmful, reducing the risk of negative interactions. Also, their striking appearance has made them popular within the pet trade, contributing to a growing interest in arachnology and conservation.

Quick Facts

DistributionMartinique, US Virgin Islands, Cuba, and Puerto Rico
HabitatTrees in the woods, and gardens
DietCockroaches, grasshoppers, wax moths, and crickets
Web TypeFunnel-shaped
LifespanFemale: 10-12 years
Male: 3-4 years

Did You Know

  • It derives its name from the Spanish word ‘Caribeña’, which means from the Caribbean.
  • The genus name was developed by Rogério Bertani, and Caroline Fukushima, in 2017.

Caribena Spider Image

In summary, the Caribena tarantulas stand out as a fascinating group within the arachnid world, combining striking beauty with unique arboreal behaviors.

Did you know there’s a special group of tarantulas called Caribena? As of March 2017, there are just two types in this group! They used to be part of another group Avicularia but stand out because of their unique long, thin hairs. Discover fun facts about them right here!

Caribena Spider

Spiders Belonging to this Genus

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

  • Size: Females are bigger than males with a length of 4.7 – 5.9 inches (12 – 15 cm).
  • Color: Caribena laeta has a brown body while Caribena versicolor has red, green, purple, and black shades on it.
  • Other Characteristic Features: Male spiders have smaller abdomens than females.

Eggs

Eggs are deposited in a secure way inside a sac.

Spiderlings

Spiderlings show preferences for living close to any surface.

The Web

The spiders make funnel-shaped webs on trees where they spend most of their time.

Are Caribena Tarantulas Venomous?

Yes, Caribena tarantulas do have venom. But guess what? For most humans, this venom isn’t too harmful. They mainly use it to catch their meals.

Can Caribena Tarantulas Bite?

Indeed, Caribena spiders can bite. It might be a bit uncomfortable, but it’s usually not something to be too worried about for most people.

Caribena Versicolor Spider

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Caribena Tarantula

Caribena tarantulas play an essential role in maintaining the ecological balance within their habitats. Their diet, consisting of cockroaches, grasshoppers, wax moths, and crickets, helps control the populations of these insects, contributing to a healthier ecosystem. Their arboreal lifestyle and web-building habits also contribute to the biodiversity of the treetop environments they inhabit.

Natural Predators and Prey-Predator Dynamics: In the wild, Caribena tarantulas face threats from various predators, including birds, larger mammals, and other spiders. These prey-predator dynamics play a crucial role in maintaining the balance within their ecosystems, as they not only contribute to controlling insect populations but also serve as a food source for their predators.

Relationship with Humans: Caribena tarantulas maintain a relatively peaceful coexistence with humans. Their bites are rare and generally not harmful, reducing the risk of negative interactions. Also, their striking appearance has made them popular within the pet trade, contributing to a growing interest in arachnology and conservation.

Quick Facts

DistributionMartinique, US Virgin Islands, Cuba, and Puerto Rico
HabitatTrees in the woods, and gardens
DietCockroaches, grasshoppers, wax moths, and crickets
Web TypeFunnel-shaped
LifespanFemale: 10-12 years
Male: 3-4 years

Did You Know

  • It derives its name from the Spanish word ‘Caribeña’, which means from the Caribbean.
  • The genus name was developed by Rogério Bertani, and Caroline Fukushima, in 2017.

Caribena Spider Image

In summary, the Caribena tarantulas stand out as a fascinating group within the arachnid world, combining striking beauty with unique arboreal behaviors.