Avicularia Purpurea Care Guide: Housing, Feeding, and More

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A Spider in Macro Photography
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Avicularia purpurea are unique and fascinating creatures that require specific care to thrive.

To start, you'll need a secure and well-ventilated enclosure that provides ample space for your tarantula to move around. A minimum enclosure size of 5 gallons is recommended, with a substrate depth of at least 2 inches.

A temperature range of 75-85°F (24-29°C) is ideal for Avicularia purpurea, with a slight drop in temperature at night. This temperature range will help your tarantula feel comfortable and secure.

A humidity level of 60-70% is also crucial for your Avicularia purpurea's health. You can achieve this by misting the enclosure with water daily, ensuring the substrate remains moist but not waterlogged.

Feeding your Avicularia purpurea is relatively straightforward, but it's essential to provide a varied diet to ensure they receive all the necessary nutrients. Offer a mix of live insects, such as crickets and mealworms, 2-3 times a week.

General Information

Avicularia purpurea can reach a length of about 13 centimetres (5.1 in).

Credit: youtube.com, Pink Toe Tarantula Care Guide | Enclosure Set up | Avicularia

This spider is relatively small, but its vibrant appearance makes up for its size.

In daylight, Avicularia purpurea discloses a quite intense purple-blue iridescence on the dorsal surface of the cephalothorax and on legs, palps, and chelicerae.

Its long setae covering the legs and palps are dark red-brown, adding to its striking appearance.

The tarsal and metatarsal scopulae are very dark brown, while the tarsal tufts are pale cream-pink in colour.

Size and Appearance

The Avicularia purpurea is a relatively small tarantula, with adult specimens growing to be around 4 to 5 inches in legspan.

Females are only slightly larger than males, and both sexes have a similar coloration.

They have a large, mostly black body covered in a good amount of hair, with a slight iridescence in the correct lighting.

1.5-2

The Purple Pink Toe tarantula, Avicularia purpurea, grows to a size of 1.5-2 inches.

This species is one of the smaller tarantulas, but don't let its size fool you - it's still a striking creature.

Avicularia purpurea's name refers to its metallic purple-blue iridescence, which is a result of the way light interacts with its dorsal surface.

This unique coloration is a key identifying feature of the species.

0.5-0.75

Closeup Photography of Argiope Spider on Web
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Avicularia purpurea tarantulas are available in sizes ranging from 0.5 to 0.75 inches in diagonal legspan.

This species reaches a maximum size of up to 5 inches across as they age.

Babies of this species are initially grey with black stripes, giving them a "smoked" look.

To accommodate your tarantula's growth, choose an enclosure that's at least twice its leg span in width, depth, and height.

Proper ventilation is essential to prevent condensation, so ensure your enclosure has good airflow.

Appearance

The Avicularia purpurea is a stunning tarantula, and its appearance is definitely one of its most attractive features.

Its body is mostly black, covered in a good amount of hair, and has a slight iridescence in the right lighting.

The species has a unique purple metallic iridescence to its entire body, making it stand out from most other tarantulas.

Despite being called the "Pink Toe" tarantula, it doesn't have the classic pink toes that some other species have.

Closeup Photography of Brown and Grey Spider
Credit: pexels.com, Closeup Photography of Brown and Grey Spider

Its feet do get darker towards the base, but they're otherwise quite plain.

Adult Avicularia purpurea tarantulas grow to be around 4 to 5 inches in leg span, with females only slightly out-sizing the males.

These tarantulas start off as fuzzy purple spiderlings and become more colorful as they grow.

Their stunning purple color is iridescent and changes in appearance when viewed from different angles and lighting, which is one of their most attractive qualities.

The brightness of their color depends on the specimen, with some having a very bright purple color and others being much darker in appearance.

Their coloration also depends on whether or not they're about to molt, with their colors often being much brighter right after a molt.

These spiders are dimorphic, with males being quite a bit smaller than females.

On the whole, they're not a particularly large species, topping out at about 4 to 5 inches in leg span.

Females typically cost anywhere from $80 to $150, making them the most expensive of the species.

Care and Housing

Credit: youtube.com, my second try keeping this tarantula .. UNBOXING

Avicularia purpurea is an arboreal tarantula that thrives in a warm and humid environment, similar to the Amazon Rainforest where it's native.

To replicate its natural habitat, you'll want to create an enclosure that's more focused on height than floor space. A terrarium with a height of 12 inches is ideal for adult specimens.

The temperature range for Avicularia purpurea is between 77°F and 82°F, which is relatively close to room temperature. If your home is significantly cooler, you may need to use a space heater or heat lamp.

Humidity levels should be maintained between 65% and 75%, which can be achieved by using a spray bottle to dampen the substrate and webbing as needed. A hygrometer can help you monitor the humidity level.

To prevent bacterial growth and maintain a healthy environment, proper ventilation is essential. A well-ventilated enclosure will help extend your tarantula's lifespan.

Here's a quick rundown of the enclosure requirements:

The substrate should be made up of vermiculite, peat moss, coconut fiber, top soil, or ideally a mixture of these components. This will help maintain humidity and simulate the tarantula's natural habitat.

Purchase and Genetics

Close-Up Shot of a Tarantula
Credit: pexels.com, Close-Up Shot of a Tarantula

Avicularia purpurea is a species of tarantula that can be purchased from reputable breeders or online sellers.

Their genetic diversity is relatively low due to the species' limited geographic range.

The low genetic diversity can make it challenging to create healthy and robust offspring.

In responsible breeding practices, breeders prioritize the health and well-being of the tarantulas, often selecting individuals with desirable traits for breeding.

For Sale & Price

Avicularia purpurea is a popular species among tarantula enthusiasts, and for good reason - it's relatively easy to find for sale.

Many breeders around the world breed and sell healthy Avicularia purpurea specimens, making it accessible to a wide range of hobbyists.

You can find Purple Pink Toe spiderlings available for around $40 on online marketplaces like Backwater Reptiles and NERD.

This price is higher than standard Pink Toe tarantulas, but that's because Avicularia purpurea is a less common species with a unique appearance.

For a relatively low price, you can own a stunning and interesting tarantula that's perfect for beginners and experienced enthusiasts alike.

Females can live for 10+ years, making Avicularia purpurea a long-term companion.

Gender Morphism

A vibrant capture of a crab spider camouflaged on a blooming purple thistle flower.
Credit: pexels.com, A vibrant capture of a crab spider camouflaged on a blooming purple thistle flower.

Gender Morphism is a fascinating phenomenon where physical characteristics differ between males and females.

In some species, gender morphism is visible in adults, such as the presence of hooks on the first pair of legs in males.

Males often have longer legs compared to females.

Samice are typically larger in size compared to samce.

Is the Purple Pinktoe Tarantula Right for You?

The Purple Pinktoe Tarantula is a beginner-friendly species that's truly beautiful to see, with strong colors on their hairy body making them a fan favorite in the tarantula hobby.

They're a great choice for anyone new to tarantula care, as they're easy to care for and don't require a lot of space, with a minimum tank size of just 12" x 12" x 12".

In terms of temperature and humidity, Purple Pinktoes are relatively low-maintenance, requiring a temperature range of 77 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit and a humidity level of 65 to 75%.

Credit: youtube.com, New Arrival - Peruvian Purple Pink Toe

Their diet consists mainly of insects, such as crickets and roaches, which are easily available at pet stores.

One thing to keep in mind is that Purple Pinktoes have urticating hairs, which they use to deter predators, but these hairs can also cause skin irritation in humans, so it's essential to handle them carefully.

The lifespan of a Purple Pinktoe Tarantula varies depending on its sex, with females living up to 8 to 12 years and males living for 2 to 3 years.

Here's a quick summary of the key characteristics of the Purple Pinktoe Tarantula:

Overall, the Purple Pinktoe Tarantula is a great choice for anyone looking to start a tarantula collection or add a new species to their existing collection.

Care and Maintenance

The Purple Pinktoe Tarantula is a beautiful species that requires proper care and maintenance to thrive.

First and foremost, you'll need to provide a suitable enclosure. A minimum tank size of 12″x12″x12″ is recommended, which should give your tarantula enough space to move around comfortably.

Credit: youtube.com, The CONFLICT and CARE of PINKTOE TARANTULAS (ft. special guests!)

To keep your tarantula's enclosure clean and moist, you'll need to add a layer of substrate. Aim for a thickness of about 2 inches, and choose a substrate made up of vermiculite, peat moss, coconut fiber, top soil, or a mixture of these components.

The ideal temperature range for your Purple Pinktoe Tarantula is between 77 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. This is crucial for their overall health and well-being.

Humidity levels should be maintained between 65 to 75%. You can achieve this by misting the enclosure regularly or using a humidifier.

Your tarantula will need a diet rich in insects, with crickets and roaches being the primary food sources. Make sure to provide a shallow water dish for your tarantula to drink from.

Here's a quick summary of the recommended care and maintenance for your Purple Pinktoe Tarantula:

By following these guidelines, you'll be well on your way to creating a happy and healthy environment for your Purple Pinktoe Tarantula.

Eileen Kessler

Junior Writer

Eileen Kessler is a rising star in the world of pet-focused writing. With a passion for canine companions, she has established herself as a go-to authority on all things dog-related. Her writing career has taken off, with a portfolio that showcases her expertise in crafting engaging and informative content.

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