The spider known as the ‘purple tree tarantula’ has many names like ‘Ecuadorian purple tarantula’ and ‘Ecuador purple pinktoe’. Guess where it’s from? Ecuador! These spiders love to climb and hang out in tree nooks and crannies. We’ve got a bunch of fun facts to share about them, so stick around!
Photo Credit: Tom Schultz
After an aggressive mating with the male, the females lay up to 120 eggs in a cocoon after a few months. The mother keeps protecting the cocoon until the baby spiders are ready to come out.
After six to eight weeks anything between 50 and 120 nymphs come out since not all eggs hatch successfully. As they emerge, the young spiders are taken care of by the female until they attain maturity and are ready to find their own food.
Yes, Purple Tarantulas have venom. They use it mainly to grab and eat small bugs.
They can! If they’re startled or poked, they might give a bite. But for people, it usually feels like a tiny pinch and isn’t too bad.
In their natural habitat, the Purple Tree Tarantula plays a crucial role in controlling the population of insects. Their predatory behavior not only benefits agricultural fields by keeping pest numbers in check but also contributes to the biodiversity of their ecosystem by participating in the food web.
Natural Predator: Despite being hunters themselves, Purple Tree Tarantulas are preyed upon by various reptiles and birds. Their survival strategies include camouflage and quick retreats to the safety of tree crevices, showcasing the ongoing battle between predator and prey in their environment.
Prey-Predator Dynamics: These tarantulas have a varied diet consisting of crickets, mealworms, cockroaches, waxworms, and darkling beetles. Occasionally, they may even capture small rodents. Their venom is a critical tool for subduing prey, ensuring they can feed and continue their role as nocturnal hunters.
Relationship with Humans: The interaction between humans and Purple Tree Tarantulas is minimal, as they reside primarily in agricultural areas. When encountered, they might bite if provoked, but their venom is not particularly harmful to humans, usually resulting in a sensation similar to a small pinch.
| Lifespan | Not known, but females live longer than males |
| Distribution | Found only in Ecuador |
| Habitat | In agricultural areas, especially in the grazing cattle fields |
| Common predators | Various kinds of reptiles and birds |
| Diet | Crickets, mealworms, cockroaches, waxworms and darkling beetles |
In summary, Purple Tree Tarantulas are vital insect predators in Ecuador, with minimal human risk and a diet including beetles and worms.
Dr Richard J. Pearce (PhD) on March 30, 2019.
Spider Team
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