Puerto Rican Pinktoe Tarantula

Looks how to spot one

Furry, slightly shaggy outline with long fine setae fringing the carapace and legs.

This tarantula has a soft, fuzzy appearance with a broad, slightly flattened body and legs that taper to wide, pale foot pads. The carapace and legs are fringed with long, fine hairs that give it a shaggy silhouette, distinguishing it from the smoother Avicularia genus. The abdomen is covered in long rust-coloured hairs, and the tarsi (feet) carry pale pink to salmon tufts, the 'pink toes'.1

Personality what they are like

Generally docile and non-aggressive, but skittish and fast when startled. Its first instinct is to flee, not fight. It may flick urticating hairs or shoot feces if very agitated, but bites are rare. Best treated as a display animal, not for handling.2315

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Low; it is a nocturnal sit-and-wait predator that spends most of its time in a silk retreat. It needs a vertical enclosure with climbing structures and web anchors, but does not require exercise or enrichment beyond its natural habitat.13

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Minimal. The spider grooms itself. The keeper must maintain a clean enclosure, remove uneaten prey after a few hours, and ensure the water dish is fresh. Do not handle; use a catch cup or soft brush for rehousing. Avoid dismantling the web retreat during cleaning.25

Home where they are happiest

A well-ventilated, vertically oriented enclosure (taller than long) with a side or front opening to avoid damaging webbing. Provide branches, cork bark, and artificial foliage for web anchors. Temperature 68-76°F (20-24°C), humidity 65-75% maintained by a water dish and occasional misting of sphagnum moss. Do not let the enclosure become stagnant or waterlogged. This species is venomous and has urticating hairs; it should not be handled.235

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Insectivorous; adults eat 2-3 small to medium crickets or a medium Dubia roach every 7-10 days. Spiderlings need smaller prey (pinhead crickets, flightless fruit flies) every 4-7 days. Remove uneaten prey after a few hours to prevent mould and pests. Do not feed wild-caught insects.35

Company who they like around

Solitary; keep individually. Do not cohabitate. This species is venomous and has urticating hairs; it is not a handling pet. It is not illegal to keep in most countries, but check local wildlife laws as it is an island endemic. In some regions, import or possession may be restricted.21

The story where it all began

Originally described as Mygale laeta, this tarantula was long placed in the genus Avicularia before being moved to the new genus Caribena in 2017 based on morphological differences (the shaggy fringe of setae). It has been kept in the pet trade for decades, often confused with other Caribbean pinktoes. Its natural habitat is the tree canopy of Puerto Rico and nearby islands, where it builds silk tube retreats in bromeliads and palm fronds. In captivity, it is valued for its docile nature and striking colour change from blue spiderling to blonde adult.14