A pinktoe Tarantula is much sought after by pet owners as it makes a lovable pet. You need to make sure you recreate its natural habitat in the pet enclosure. Also known as Antilles tree spiders or the Antilles pink-toe Tarantula, these exotic creatures owe their name to the pinkish toes found at the tip of their hairy legs.
Behavior and Temperament
One reason why a pinktoe Tarantula makes an excellent pet is its docility. These quiet creatures prefer to be left alone and love spending most of their time resting. However, when they turn hungry, they actively start looking for their prey. The pink-toe loves feeding on small crickets, lizards, and other small insects.
Hostile Behavior
You are running a risk if you plan to rear two Antilles pink-toe Tarantulas in a single enclosure because they are basically aggressive by nature and can fight each other always. Some duels end up in fatalities, and don’t be surprised if the survivor gorges up the dead one because they are cannibalistic.
If you rear cats, pigeons, and other small pets, make sure you keep them away from your Tarantula as they can attack each other.
Handle your Pinktoe with Velvet Gloves
Most pet owners like caressing their pets, while some others prefer quietly standing by the pet enclosures and watching their pet Antilles pink-toe Tarantula lazing around. A Tarantula can show signs of lethargy when molting, and that’s when it is almost immobile and doesn’t eat.
Your pet pinktoe is safe to handle unless it feels agitated and attacks in self-defense. If they attack, they can leave you with a nasty sting that is painful and ends in redness and swelling.
Build a Cozy Enclosure for Your Pinktoe
Tarantulas are primarily tree-dwellers and love their natural habitat. Hence, when you design an enclosure for your pet Tarantula, ensure it is tall enough. You may use glass walls, though some people prefer plastic or metal, which are cheaper. Putting your pet Tarantula in a glass enclosure ensures it gets enough light and gives you a chance to watch your pet closely.
You may spread soil or peat-moss on the floor and have some natural plants growing corner. Pick up the dirt from an area that is free of chemicals or fertilizers.
The Antilles pink-toe Tarantula is a cold-blooded creature. The ideal temperature is between 60 to 80 degrees F. You may want to keep a thermometer inside the enclosure to monitor the temperature. In colder regions, people fix heaters that maintain the heat, and sensors switch on the heaters when the temperature drops below the tolerable level.
Eating Habits
As mentioned earlier, Tarantulas love eating small insects like live crickets, tiny mice, lizards, etc. A Tarantula eats once in three days; hence feeding your pet won’t pose much of a problem. It is common for a Tarantula to not eat anything for days together, and you don’t have to call your vet.
However, it is advisable to have a regular source of small insects, lest your Tarantula starves for want of food. Please note that they never eat dead insects and prey on live insects.
Summing it Up
A pink-toe Tarantula is a lovable pet, and it takes a bit of research to understand their feeding habits. They are quite healthy and live for many years. It is legal to own and rear a pink-toe Tarantula as a pet in most countries.
