Quick Answer: Caribena versicolor, the Antilles Pinktoe, is an intermediate New World arboreal from Martinique. Slings emerge metallic blue and transform into vivid green, red, and purple adults. Tall arboreal enclosure, 75-82°F, 70-80% RH, cross-ventilation required. Slings are sensitive to desiccation — keep one side moist. Mild venom, urticating hairs (rubs). Download the free care sheet PDF.
Introduction
Caribena versicolor, the Antilles Pinktoe, is a New World arboreal native to Martinique in the Lesser Antilles. It is kept for one reason above all others: the color transformation. Slings emerge from the egg sac a vivid, iridescent metallic blue — a color rarely seen in any tarantula at any stage. As the spider grows through its juvenile instars, that blue gradually gives way to a complex mosaic of green, red, and purple that makes adults one of the most visually striking tarantulas in the hobby. There is no other species quite like it.
Beyond the color, C. versicolor is an active display animal. It builds elaborate funnel-shaped silk retreats in the upper section of its enclosure, and a well-settled adult in a properly built setup is genuinely impressive to watch. It moves freely, maintains visible webbing, and uses its enclosure in ways that more reclusive species do not.
Care is intermediate primarily because of its humidity and ventilation requirements. The species is from a tropical Caribbean island and needs consistent warmth and moderate-high humidity — but it also needs strong cross-ventilation to prevent the stagnant air conditions that lead to mold and respiratory problems. Slings are more sensitive to desiccation than many comparable New World arboreals. Get those two things right and C. versicolor is straightforward.
Quick Stats
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Caribena versicolor |
| Common name | Antilles Pinktoe, Martinique Red Tree Spider |
| Origin | Martinique, Lesser Antilles (Caribbean) |
| Habitat | Arboreal; humid tropical forest canopy |
| Adult female legspan | 5-6 inches |
| Adult male legspan | 4-5 inches |
| Female lifespan | 10-12 years |
| Male lifespan | 2-3 years post-maturity |
| Experience level | Intermediate |
| Urticating hairs | Yes — rubs (Type III); does not kick |
| Venom | New World — mild; not considered medically significant |
| Color change | Slings: metallic blue. Adults: green, red, and purple mosaic |
| Webbing | Heavy funnel webber in the upper section of the enclosure |
Enclosure Setup
Arboreal enclosure with cross-ventilation at both the top and sides. C. versicolor builds its retreat in the upper third of the enclosure and needs anchor points — cork bark, a thick branch, or a diagonal piece of wood — to build from. Without a solid anchor, the spider will web across the lid and sides rather than building the structured funnel retreat the species is known for.
| Life Stage | Enclosure Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sling (under 1") | 6-16 oz deli cup | Side ventilation; keep one side moist; cork bark anchor |
| Juvenile (1-3") | 6"W x 6"D x 10"H | Arboreal; cross-ventilation; anchor at upper third |
| Sub-adult / Adult | 10"W x 10"D x 14"H minimum | Top and side vents; secure lid; multiple anchor points |
Substrate: 3-4 inches coco fibre or coco/peat blend, moist on one side and dry on the other. A permanent water dish at substrate level is required. Slings are noticeably more sensitive to desiccation than adults — check the moisture level in sling enclosures twice a week and do not let the substrate dry completely. For adults, once-weekly overflow of the water dish is sufficient to maintain substrate moisture and ambient humidity.
Temperature and Humidity
Martinique is a tropical Caribbean island with year-round warmth and consistent moderate-high humidity. Replicating that environment means keeping temperatures in the mid-to-upper 70s and maintaining humidity between 70 and 80 percent. The critical pairing here is humidity plus ventilation — C. versicolor tolerates high humidity well but does not tolerate stagnant air. Enclosures with insufficient cross-ventilation will develop mold even at moderate humidity levels.
| Parameter | Target Range | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime temperature | 75-82°F (24-28°C) | Below 68°F or above 86°F |
| Night temperature | 68-76°F (20-24°C) | Sustained below 65°F |
| Ambient humidity | 70-80% RH | Below 60% sustained or above 85% |
| Substrate moisture | One side moist; other side dry | Uniformly waterlogged or bone-dry throughout |
Overflow the water dish once a week onto the substrate on one side. If room temperature drops below 72°F during winter, use a low-wattage heat mat on the side of the enclosure — not underneath, which can cook the substrate and trap moisture. Do not mist directly onto the spider or into the funnel retreat.
Feeding
C. versicolor is a consistent feeder once settled. It will typically ambush prey from the funnel entrance or hunt on the enclosure walls after dark. Drop prey near the entrance of the web retreat or on a clear section of the enclosure wall. Pre-kill prey for slings — this species can be skittish and a live cricket wandering into the funnel will cause unnecessary stress.
| Life Stage | Prey Item | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Sling | Fruit flies, pinhead crickets (pre-killed) | Every 4-5 days |
| Juvenile | Small crickets, small dubia roaches | Every 5-7 days |
| Sub-adult / Adult | Crickets, dubia roaches | Every 7-10 days |
| Pre/Post-molt | None — remove all live prey | Resume 10-14 days post-molt (juveniles); 14-21 days (adults) |
Remove uneaten prey within 24 hours. A well-fed C. versicolor will typically eat reliably until 2-4 weeks before a molt. If a spider that has been eating regularly stops taking prey, check the abdomen for darkening — this is often the first sign of an impending molt rather than an illness or husbandry issue.
Watering
A permanent shallow water dish at substrate level is required at all stages. Refresh it every 3-4 days. Overflow it once a week onto one side of the substrate to maintain a moisture gradient. Do not allow sling enclosures to dry out completely — dehydration in slings typically presents as a shriveled abdomen and lethargy, and recovery requires slow rehydration over several days. Adult C. versicolor are more tolerant of temporary dryness but still require a reliable water source at all times.
Molting
Pre-molt signs in C. versicolor: prey refusal lasting 2-4 weeks, abdomen darkening (visible under the translucent cuticle as a dark patch), and additional silking around and inside the retreat. The spider may seal itself inside the funnel during the final days before a molt. Do not disturb a sealed retreat — leave it alone until the spider is visible again and moving normally.
Post-molt: allow 10-14 days for juveniles and 14-21 days for adults before resuming feeding. During this window the spider's new cuticle is soft and the fangs are not yet fully hardened. Offering prey too early risks injury. The new cuticle in C. versicolor often shows the adult coloration more vividly than the previous instar — a juvenile molt revealing the first traces of red and purple is one of the more visually rewarding moments in keeping this species.
Temperament and Handling
C. versicolor is defensive rather than aggressive. In most situations it will flee before considering any other response. When cornered it may raise its front legs into a threat posture, but actual bites from this species are uncommon and the venom is not considered medically significant. It does possess urticating hairs and will rub them from the abdomen — it does not kick hairs the way many New World terrestrials do, but contact with the abdomen can still cause skin and eye irritation. Wash your hands after any enclosure maintenance.
Handling is not recommended as a routine practice. The species is fast, easily startled, and a drop from handling height can be fatal. If you need to move the spider during maintenance, use a catch cup and a tong to guide it. During enclosure cleaning, always confirm the spider's location before opening the lid — C. versicolor frequently rests near the lid or on the upper walls of the enclosure.
Is This Species Right for You?
C. versicolor is appropriate for keepers who have successfully maintained at least one sling through to juvenile stage and understand the basics of arboreal enclosure setup. The humidity and ventilation requirements are a step up from the very forgiving New World terrestrials that most keepers start with, and slings require closer attention to desiccation risk than many beginner species. That said, it is not a difficult animal for anyone who has done their research and set up the enclosure correctly before the spider arrives.
If you want a species that looks genuinely different from anything else in your collection, that is active and visible, that builds interesting web structures, and that rewards patience with one of the more dramatic color transformations in the hobby, C. versicolor is a strong choice. Adult females live 10-12 years. The blue sling stage alone is worth it for most keepers who see one in person for the first time.