Pet Pink Toe Tarantula

People usually search for “pink toe tarantula” care when they’re choosing a first tarantula, setting up an enclosure, or trying to fix a problem that’s crept in quietly—stale air, a damp corner that won’t dry, a spider that won’t eat, or a moult that looks risky.

The species most often sold under this name, Avicularia avicularia, is an arboreal (tree-dwelling) tarantula. It does best in a tall, well-ventilated enclosure with steady access to water and only moderate, carefully managed humidity—enough to prevent dehydration, not so much that the air turns stagnant.^{1, 2}

What “pink toe tarantula” usually means

In the pet trade, “pink toe tarantula” most commonly refers to Avicularia avicularia, a New World tarantula from northern South America. It’s known for pale pink pads at the ends of the feet and a habit of building silken retreats up high in foliage or cork bark.^{2, 3, 8}

It’s often described as relatively calm compared with more defensive species, but it is quick, agile, and prone to sudden jumps—more a spider to watch than to handle.^{2, 3}

Temperament and behaviour

Pink toes spend much of their time perched in the upper half of the enclosure, especially once they’ve built a tube-like web retreat among leaves, cork, or branches. Activity tends to lift after dark, when they’re more likely to roam and hunt.^{2, 3}

When disturbed, they’re more likely to bolt or jump than stand their ground. That skittish speed is the real handling risk: a short fall can injure a tarantula’s abdomen, and a spider can vanish behind furniture in seconds.^{2, 3}

Enclosure setup: tall, cluttered, and airy

Avicularia avicularia is arboreal, so vertical height matters more than floor space. A secure, escape-resistant lid is essential—tarantulas can climb smooth surfaces such as glass and plastic, and a small gap is enough for a quick exit.⁷

Core setup

• Orientation: A tall enclosure with usable height and plenty of anchor points for webbing (cork bark slab, branches, artificial foliage).^{2, 3}
• Ventilation: Strong cross-ventilation (air moving in and out through vents on different sides) to avoid stagnant, humid air.^{1, 2}
• Substrate: A modest layer of coco fibre/coir or similar to help with moisture buffering and hygiene; this species doesn’t need deep burrowing substrate.^{1, 2}
• Water: A shallow water dish available at all times (and kept clean).^{1, 3}

Humidity and the “stale air” trap

Care sheets often quote mid-to-high humidity ranges, but with pink toes the more useful target is fresh air plus a water source, with only light, occasional misting if the enclosure is drying out too fast. Overdoing humidity in a poorly ventilated enclosure is a common path to mould and a stressed, unhealthy spider.^{1, 3}

Temperature

Typical guidance for A. avicularia sits around normal indoor warmth (roughly the low-to-mid 20s °C), with many keepers aiming in the low-to-high 20s °C and avoiding cold drops for long periods.^{1, 2, 3}

Feeding and nutrition

Pink toes are insectivores. Offer appropriately sized prey (generally smaller than the spider’s body), and remove uneaten insects—especially if a moult looks near, because live prey can injure a soft, newly moulted tarantula.³

What to feed

• Crickets
• Roaches
• Other suitably sized feeder insects

Gut-loading feeder insects (feeding the insects well before offering them) improves the nutritional value of each meal.¹

How often

Exact schedules vary with age, temperature, and the individual spider. Many care guides feed juveniles more often than adults, with adults commonly eating around weekly or slightly less frequently. Appetite often pauses before moulting.^{1, 3}

Moulting: what’s normal, what to avoid

Moulting is when a tarantula sheds its old exoskeleton. Many tarantulas moult on their backs, sometimes on a web “hammock”, and the process can take hours—longer for larger animals.⁷

• Do not handle or disturb a tarantula during a moult.
• Remove live prey if you suspect a moult is imminent.
• Keep water available and the enclosure stable.

Handling: keep it rare, keep it low

Routine handling isn’t recommended for pink toes. The main risk is not aggression; it’s speed and height. If you must move the spider, use calm, controlled “container” methods (guiding it into a tub with a soft brush) rather than lifting it onto hands.^{2, 3}

New World tarantulas can also defend themselves by releasing urticating hairs from the abdomen. These barbed hairs can irritate skin and, if they get into eyes, cause serious inflammation—another reason to avoid close face-level handling and to wash hands after enclosure work.⁶

Common problems (and quiet fixes)

Refusing food

Short fasts are common, especially pre-moult. Check the basics first: water dish full, enclosure not swampy, and the spider has a secure retreat. If the abdomen is plump and the spider is otherwise steady, patience is often the right move.^{1, 3}

Mould and condensation

Mould usually points to too much moisture and not enough airflow. Improve cross-ventilation, let the enclosure dry slightly, and keep the water dish clean rather than misting heavily.^{1, 2}

Dehydration signs

A lethargic spider with a noticeably shrunken abdomen can be dehydrated. Provide fresh water at all times and ensure humidity hasn’t crashed for extended periods. If you’re unsure, consult an exotics-capable vet—tarantulas hide problems until they can’t.^{1, 3}

Australian legal and ethical notes

Rules vary by state and territory. If you’re in Queensland, native tarantulas (family Theraphosidae) are regulated, and keeping them requires the appropriate licence and legally sourced animals. Unlicensed collection from the wild is illegal, and releasing captive spiders is not an option.^{4, 5}

If you’re keeping an imported “pink toe” species, check your local rules before buying—Australia treats exotic animal importation and biosecurity seriously, and illegal imports can carry heavy penalties.^{4, 5}

References

1. Tarantula Cribs – Avicularia avicularia (Pinktoe) care guide
2. The Tarantula Vault – Avicularia avicularia tarantula care
3. The Tarantula Collective – Avicularia avicularia care sheet
4. Queensland Government – Australian tarantulas (Theraphosidae): living with wildlife
5. Queensland Government – Exempt, prohibited and species class listings (includes tarantulas)
6. Australian Museum (archived PDF) – Notes on tarantula urticating hairs and irritation risk
7. Australian Museum – Australian tarantulas (behaviour, moulting, climbing/escape ability)
8. Stradling DJ (1978). “The growth and maturation of the ‘tarantula’, Avicularia avicularia L.” Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society