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What Is the Colombian Purple Pink Toe?
Avicularia sp. Colombia is a New World arboreal tarantula from Colombia's tropical forests, known for its blue-purple iridescent leg coloration and the distinctly pink toe tips that give the entire Avicularia genus its common name. Adults reach 4–5 inches legspan. Females are larger and longer-lived; males are slimmer with a 2–3 year post-maturity window.
This species carries the calm, skittish temperament that makes Avicularia popular with intermediate keepers: the typical response to disturbance is to bolt upward, not threaten. That said, cross-ventilation is not optional for any species in this genus. Stagnant humid air creates the conditions for bacterial and fungal infections that kill Avicularia quickly. Get the ventilation right and this is one of the more rewarding arboreals available.
Quick Stats
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | Colombia, South America |
| Habitat | Arboreal; tropical forest canopy and forest edge |
| Adult female size | 4–5 inches legspan; blue-purple iridescence, pink toe tips |
| Adult male size | 3–4 inches legspan; slimmer build |
| Lifespan (female) | 10–15 years |
| Lifespan (male) | 2–3 years post-maturity |
| Experience level | Intermediate |
| Urticating hairs | Yes (New World); also may flick hairs or spray excrement as defense |
| Venom | New World — mild; comparable to bee sting for most people |
| Webbing | Heavy tube-web builder; anchors high in the enclosure |
| Temperament | Generally calm; bolts upward rather than bites; rarely threat-postures |
Enclosure Setup
Avicularia sp. Colombia is a true arboreal — height is the priority, and cross-ventilation is non-negotiable. Use a front-opening enclosure with side and top mesh panels or drilled ventilation. For slings, cross-drill opposite sides of the deli cup lid and bottom. Stagnant air at any humidity level is dangerous for this genus; a well-ventilated enclosure at 70% RH is correct. A sealed enclosure at 80% RH is not.
| Life Stage | Enclosure Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sling (under 1") | 16–32 oz deli cup | Cross-drilled ventilation; anchor fake plant or cork bark high |
| Juvenile (1–2.5") | 6"W x 6"D x 10"H | Cross-ventilation critical; silk anchor point in upper third |
| Sub-adult / Adult | 12"W x 12"D x 16"H | Height priority; front-opening with side + top vents |
Provide a fake plant, cork bark tube, or hollow bamboo piece anchored in the upper third of the enclosure as the web anchor point. This species is a heavy tube-web builder and will cover the anchor object completely within days. Substrate: 2–3 inches of coconut fiber at the bottom. Keep the lower half lightly moist. The spider will almost never come to the floor, but substrate moisture maintains ambient humidity without misting. Place a permanent water dish at substrate level.
Temperature and Humidity
| Parameter | Target Range | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime temp | 72–82°F (22–28°C) | Below 65°F or above 86°F |
| Night temp | 68–75°F (20–24°C) | Sustained below 62°F |
| Ambient humidity | 65–75% RH | Stagnant humid air at any RH — constant airflow always required |
| Substrate moisture | Lightly moist lower half | Waterlogged or bone dry |
The correct humidity approach for Avicularia: moderate RH with constant airflow. Overflow the water dish weekly and let the lower substrate stay lightly moist. Never mist the inside of the enclosure. Room temperature is usually sufficient without supplemental heat.
Feeding
| 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 | Medium crickets, medium dubia roaches | Every 7–10 days |
| Pre/Post-molt | None — remove all prey | Resume 10–14 days post-molt |
Good feeder when settled. Drops prey from above or ambushes from the tube opening. Keep prey size at or under the abdomen width. Remove uneaten prey within 24 hours. Pre-molt fasting of 2–6 weeks is normal; adults may fast longer. Never force-feed a spider that is refusing prey.
Watering
Keep a permanent water dish at substrate level. Overflow it weekly. The spider will almost certainly never be seen using it, but the evaporation maintains humidity passively and correctly without misting. Never spray the walls or the spider directly.
Molting
Pre-molt signs: prey refusal for weeks, abdomen darkening, sealing or heavily webbing the tube entrance. Avicularia typically molt inside the tube web and may seal themselves in completely for the duration. Do not disturb the enclosure during this time. Remove all live prey immediately when pre-molt signs appear.
Post-molt: wait 10–14 days before offering food — fangs must be fully dark before reintroducing prey. The pink toe tips and blue-purple leg iridescence are most vivid directly after a fresh molt.
Temperament and Handling
Avicularia sp. Colombia is one of the more docile arboreal genera available. The typical response to disturbance is to bolt upward and away, not to threaten or bite. Threat postures are uncommon. Urticating hairs are present. This genus is also known to flick hairs or spray excrement as a defense mechanism — not harmful but worth knowing before opening the enclosure without eye protection.
Handling is possible but not standard practice. At 4–5 inches and moving quickly when startled, fall risk is real. Use a catch cup for rehousing. The spider is fast but predictable: it moves up, not toward you.
Is This Species Right for You?
Yes, if: you have kept a few New World terrestrials already and want your first arboreal; you can provide a tall front-opening enclosure with proper cross-ventilation; you enjoy a species that is active, visible, and builds an impressive web structure.
Not yet, if: you have never kept a tarantula; you cannot source a properly ventilated arboreal enclosure; you plan to keep it in a sealed or low-airflow container.
The Colombian Purple Pink Toe is an excellent step up from beginner species. The ventilation requirement is the one non-negotiable. Nail that and this is a low-maintenance, high-reward species that will be visible in its web most of the time.
↓ Download the Free Avicularia sp. Colombia Care Sheet (PDF)