At a glance the quick version
Up to about 15 cm (6 in) diagonal leg span.
Males about 2-4 years; females about 6-12 years (Wikipedia: 6-9, The Tarantula Collective: up to 12).
Looks how to spot one
Hairy exoskeleton (tarantula)
A tree-dwelling tarantula with a dark, hairy body and bright pink-tipped feet. Young spiders are coloured the other way round, with pinkish bodies and dark feet, and swap to the adult look as they grow.1
Personality what they are like
A generally gentle spider that would rather run or jump away than bite. It can be quick and jumpy when startled, and may squirt droppings as a defence. It is best enjoyed by watching.12
Daily activity how busy a day looks
An agile climber that lives in the mid to upper levels of trees in the wild. It builds silk retreats up high and moves around its enclosure most at night.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Keep a water dish available and mist lightly now and then. Feed adults roughly every 2-3 weeks. Good airflow matters more than anything for this species, so avoid closed, stuffy setups.21
Home where they are happiest
A tall, arboreal enclosure with cork bark and climbing decor, a shallow layer of substrate (about a third of the height) and excellent cross ventilation. The Tarantula Collective suggests 21-27 C and 60-70% humidity; Wikipedia stresses a dry substrate with a water dish rather than damp, still air.21
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Company who they like around
A solitary spider in captivity; keep one per enclosure.2
The story where it all began
Linnaeus described it in 1758, so it has been known to science for well over two centuries. Early captive losses were linked to keeping it too damp, and once keepers switched to dry, well-ventilated setups it became a popular first tree-dwelling tarantula.1
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It was scientifically named by Linnaeus back in 1758.1
- 2
Young pink toes are coloured in reverse to adults, with pinkish bodies and dark feet.1
- 3
Instead of biting, a nervous pink toe may jump away or shoot droppings at a threat.1
- 4
In the wild it lives high in the tree canopy rather than in a ground burrow.1
Recognised by the official bits
- World Spider Catalog (via Wikipedia)
- Accepted species Avicularia avicularia (Linnaeus, 1758), family Theraphosidae.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Pink Toe Tarantula. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Humidity checkevery 2 days
- Water dishevery 2 days
- FeedingDepends on species, size and moult stagevaries
- Spot cleanRemove leftover foodevery week
- Moult noteLeave them in peace while moulting and note it in the diaryvaries
- Substrate changeevery 6 months
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Avicularia avicularia (Wikipedia) en.wikipedia.orgused for names, range, lifespan, colour change, temperament, habitat, diet, history
- Avicularia avicularia care sheet (The Tarantula Collective) thetarantulacollective.comused for leg span, lifespan, enclosure, ventilation, temperature, humidity, feeding
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.