Pink-Toe Tarantula

Avicularia avicularia — the pink-toe tarantula, also called the South American pink-toe — is one of the most popular arboreal tarantulas in the exotic pet trade and one of the most morphologically distinctive theraphosid spiders in the world. The species is endemic to tropical lowland rainforest of northern South America (Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, northern Brazil, Trinidad). Adults reach 13-15 cm leg span and have black-to-deep-metallic-purple bodies with dramatic pink-tipped feet ('pink toes' — actually the tarsi of all eight legs). The species is unique among tarantulas as FULLY ARBOREAL: she lives her entire adult life in tree canopies, builds tubular silk retreat tubes wrapped around twigs and palm fronds in the upper canopy, and rarely descends to the ground. Diet is exclusively flying or arboreal insects (moths, beetles, occasional small lizards) caught at the entrance of the silk retreat. The species' most behaviorally unusual feature is the defensive strategy: while most tarantulas defend with urticating bristles flicked from the abdomen, OR with venomous bites, A. avicularia defends primarily by SHOOTING FECAL MATTER at approaching threats from up to a meter away. The behavior is well-documented in both wild and captive specimens — when threatened, the spider raises her abdomen and ejects a spray of liquid feces at the threat with surprising accuracy. The spray is harmless but startling and effectively deters most vertebrate predators. Bites to humans are rare, mild (no significant venom), and only occur if the spider is grabbed or pinned. The species is widely kept in the exotic pet hobby because of the distinctive coloration, gentle disposition, and (compared to most tarantulas) acceptance of handling — the fecal-shooting defense being the main hazard.