Pinktoe Tarantula

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Pinktoe tarantula

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Suborder:	Mygalomorphae
Family:	Theraphosidae
Subfamily:	Aviculariinae
Genus:	Avicularia
Species:	A. avicularia

Binomial name

Avicularia avicularia
(Linnaeus, 1758)

Synonyms

Aranea avicularia
Aranea vestiaria
Mygale avicularia
Mygale testacea
Mygale scoparia
Mygale hirsutissima
Avicularia vestiaria
Avicularia vulpina
Avicularia vestaria

The Pinktoe tarantula (Avicularia avicularia) is native to South America, Costa Rica to Brazil, and the southern Caribbean. This species is sometimes called the Guyana pinktoe, Common pinktoe or South American pinktoe since they are frequently harvested from those areas.

The mature pinktoe tarantula has a dark-colored body and pinkish feet, in keeping with its name. Juvenile specimens, however, have pinkish bodies and dark-colored feet. Pinktoe tarantulas undergo a reversal in their coloration as they approach adulthood.

These types of tarantulas are very docile, albeit nervous and jumpy, and are frequently kept as pets. Although all tarantulas are prone to cannibalism, pinktoes are more tolerant of one another and can be stored in the same vivarium, if it is large enough. Being arboreal species, they require a relatively tall habitat with plenty of climbing space. They require a lot of moisture, along with ample ventilation to prevent molds from developing.