A tarantula living in a human's world has it really rough.
Not only are they smaller and less intelligent than us, but they are probably some of the most misunderstood creatures alive! Most people arrive at their conclusions about tarantulas from watching movies where they are portrayed as lethal assassins, however nothing could be further away from the truth.
Now, don't get us wrong; they are not exactly pushovers.
Tarantulas hold their own and can defend themselves against attackers, but for us humans, this spider's bark is worse than its bite.
In this article, we will look closely at the pink tarantula.
The pink tarantula is commonly known as the pink toed tarantula.
Tarantula enthusiasts and researchers also refer to this species as the orange tipped bird spider, Guyana pinktoe, common pinktoe or South American pinktoe.
This spider is one of the first ones to be recorded, and is commonly found in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Venezuela and Brazil.
This signature tarantula is extremely colorful and fluffy.
It is well known for its toes, which are usually pink or orange.
Of special interest is the fact pinktoe tarantulas undergo color reversal between the baby stage and adulthood.
Baby pinktoes actually have pink legs and black toes, while the adult is almost fully black with pink toes.
The pink toed tarantula is commonly referred to as the clown of tarantulas because of its vibrant colors, making it an absolute favorite for hobbyists.
The pink tarantula also has signature tarantula characteristics in the form of urticating hair.
For the benefit of those who are new to the tarantula game, most tarantulas have hair on their bodies that they can flick out as a means of self defense.
This species is not an exception, and will release the urticating hair as it senses danger or aggravation.
Prior to maturity, male and female pinktoe tarantulas look almost the same.
After maturity, both look noticeably different from each other.
Mature females have large abdomens, while mature males undergo changes in the first pair of legs.
This is to the male's advantage as the hooks on the first or second joints of the front legs are used to prevent the female from attacking during mating.
Female pink tarantulas grow to about 5 inches, while male pinktoes grow to about 3 ½ inches.
As with almost all tarantula species, the female pink toed tarantula outlives the male by leaps and bounds.
Most female pinktoes live between 8 to 10 years, while the males live up to 3 years.
The pinktoe tarantula is one of the few species that can actually co-inhabit with another tarantula of the same species in an enclosed space.
This also makes hobbyists happy, as the pinktoe is more tolerant as long as it has enough space.
These arboreal tarantulas prey on insects, reptiles and tree frogs, and can mostly be seen at night when they hunt.
So there you have it; tips and facts about the pink tarantula that should make your decision-making easier.
Go get one today!