In the world of bird-eating spiders, among hundreds of bright and bizarre species, there is one name that even novice enthusiasts know. This is Avicularia versicolor, or Avicularia versicolor. This spider has long and firmly won the love of terrarium owners around the world, becoming a kind of “classic of the genre.”
The secret of its popularity is not its giant size or aggressive nature. It's all about its stunning appearance. The young of this species resemble precious sapphire beads with contrasting stripes on their legs. With each molt, their color magically changes, and the adult turns into a fluffy, velvety wonder with shades ranging from pink and green to rich blue and purple.
But beauty is not its only feature. Unlike many of its terrestrial or burrowing relatives, versicolor is a tree spider. It sits peacefully on its favorite plant or log in the terrarium, demonstrating a calm, almost phlegmatic character. For many, it becomes the ideal first bird-eating spider, opening the door to this amazing hobby world.
Features
Avicularia versicolor is a species of spider from the bird-eating spider family (Theraphosidae). It is considered one of the most beautiful spiders on the planet and is popular among collectors and terrarium owners.
The species Avicularia versicolor was first described in 1837 by the French arachnologist Baron Charles Walkener.
Caribena versicolor
At the same time, due to the multicolored parts of its body, representatives of the species were given the name versicolor — “rainbow-colored,” “shimmering with different colors.”
Note: This spider weaves intricate funnel-shaped webs in trees and lives in them. It feeds on small vertebrates and arthropods. When defending itself, it may bite humans, but its bite is not dangerous.
In 2017, K. Fukushima and R. Bertani classified this spider as belonging to the genus Caribena. Since then, various sources have referred to this species as avicularia versicolor, and caribena versicolor. However, the latter name is the most relevant.
Avicularia versicolor
Representatives of the species are also called Guadeloupe tarantulas and Antillean pink tarantulas.
The cute Avicularia versicolor is a small but very charismatic spider that has long won the hearts of exotic pet lovers. Unlike large and frightening bird-eating spiders, it is compact, bright, and non-aggressive, making it an excellent choice even for beginners. The spider quickly gets used to humans, is not afraid of light, and leads an active lifestyle, so it is interesting to watch. Thanks to its friendly disposition and unusual appearance, it has become the most popular species among all bird-eating spiders.
Habitat, locations, and living conditions
Avicularia (Caribena) versicolor is endemic to the island of Martinique, located in the Lesser Antilles, between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Several specimens have been found in Cuba, Colombia, Guadeloupe, and Brazil, but these arthropods were apparently brought there by tourists.
The bird-eating spider inhabits hollows in trees and between trees, where it weaves a complex funnel-shaped web several meters above the ground. In its light, airy home, the spider leaves several exits — escape routes — in case of danger.
Avicularia versicolor has a fairly calm temperament.
Caribena is nocturnal. During the day, the spider hides in shelters, and when darkness falls, it goes out hunting. Most often, its shelters are found in bromeliad branches or hollow bamboo stems. Less often, it chooses cracks in trunks and stumps, sometimes climbing into human dwellings. The young sit in twisted leaves of trees and shrubs.
Lifestyle and character
This tree spider is nocturnal. During the day, it rests in its nest, and at dusk, it goes hunting. Caribena versicolor has peaceful nature. It is not uncommon to see entire colonies of these spiders peacefully coexisting on the same tree, at a short distance from each other.
Avicularia (Caribena) versicolor
Please note! The Avicularia versicolor spider likes high humidity. It feels comfortable even in conditions where humidity is close to 100%.
Appearance
The basic background color of the spider is black, with abundant gray or reddish vegetation. Nymphs are colored differently. They are bright blue with white stripes on the abdomen.
As the spider matures, its color changes, and after eight or nine molts, it becomes similar to an adult.
Note: Adult spiders have red, green, and gray hues in their coloring.
The body is covered with long, thick hairs. The limbs and opisthosoma have a recognizable reddish or purple pubescence. The carapace is green and shimmering.
Photo of a spider
The body size of females is 5-6 cm, less often they grow to 6-10 cm. The leg span of adults is 15-18 cm. Females are usually larger than males.
Housing conditions, care
Is it difficult to keep a spider? Avicula versicolor is valued not only for its unique appearance and coloring, but also for its ease of care.
Terrarium. Spiders are kept in vertical terrariums measuring 25x25x45 cm or square terrariums measuring 30x30x30 cm. Young spiders can be placed in a plastic container with ventilation holes at the top and bottom.
Substrate. It is recommended to use ready-made soil for flowers, coconut chips, expanded vermiculite, or sphagnum moss as a substrate. It is advisable to arrange drainage, for example, by placing a layer of expanded clay. The total thickness of the substrate with drainage is 5-8 cm.
Lighting. Dim lighting, moonlight, or red light is suitable for aviculary. It is advisable to use a halogen lamp with a power of no more than 20 W for lighting. Direct sunlight is dangerous for spiders.
Temperature. The optimal temperature for keeping a bird-eating spider is 24-29°C. At night, the air temperature in the terrarium is reduced to 20°C.
Caribena versicolor
Humidity. Spiders like high humidity (60-80%). To maintain the optimal humidity level, the walls of the terrarium and the substrate should be regularly sprayed with water.
Ventilation. To prevent mold from growing in the terrarium due to high humidity, which can harm birds, it is necessary to ventilate it well. The terrarium lid should have ventilation holes.
Decor. Vertical branches, pieces of bark, live plants, and anything else that creates shelter and provides opportunities for climbing and web spinning are placed in the terrarium.
Caribena Versicolor
This is important! All bird-eating spiders are poisonous to some degree. The venom of the aviculary versicolor is not dangerous to humans, but it can cause allergies or irritation. Therefore, you should be as careful as possible when handling bird-eating spiders.
Diet
In nature, the bird-eating spider feeds on various insects, with a preference for grasshoppers, crickets, and cockroaches. From time to time, it hunts small lizards, rodents, and amphibians.
In terrarium conditions, youngsters are fed Drosophila, small crickets, mealworms, and other small insects. Adults are fed flies, large marble cockroaches, cherry cockroaches, moths, crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, and other insects, as well as small lizards, mice, and frogs.
Remember! Adult spiders are fed once a week with large marble cockroaches, cherry cockroaches, locusts, zophobas, or small frogs.
Adult specimens are fed 1-2 times a week, youngsters — 3-4 times a week. Females with cocoons are not fed or watered.
Adult male
The terrarium must have a container with filtered drinking water.
Reproduction
Female bird-eating spiders reach sexual maturity in 1.5-2 years, males slightly earlier, in 1-1.5 years. The specific timing of sexual maturity depends on the abundance and quality of food, as well as the number of molts survived.
The mating season for spiders begins in March. Females secrete pheromones that attract males. Approaching the female, the male gallantly announces his arrival by tapping her with his third pair of legs. If the female does not show aggression, the male cautiously approaches her and, seizing a convenient moment, proceeds to mate. If the female is not in the mood, the male can easily eat her for lunch.
One to two months after mating, the female begins to weave a nest, and inside it, a soft silky cocoon, in which she lays 20 to 150 eggs. The female spider stays with the cocoon constantly, occasionally adjusting and turning it over. During this period, she exhibits increased excitability and aggression.
Spider reproduction
Important! About three weeks after the eggs are laid, nymphs hatch from them. The babies develop and molt inside the cocoon. After another 10 days, they turn into real tiny spiders of a beautiful blue color with a metallic sheen. Once they have grown strong, they leave their mother and scatter around the neighborhood.
Interesting facts about the animal
Since 1955, Avicularia versicolor spiders have been strictly protected by law in the Antilles. It is prohibited to catch them in the wild, keep them at home, or sell them to exotic animal enthusiasts.
Despite this, the illegal trade in bird-eating spiders is thriving. One such spider costs from $40 to $200, so many islanders turn a blind eye to the law in order to earn a decent living by local standards.
Questions and answers
What is the lifespan of Avicularia versicolor?
Females live up to 6-8 years. Males have a shorter lifespan.
Who are the natural enemies of the Avicularia versicolor?
Humans and the blue wasp (Pepsis ruficornis), which bites the spider, paralyzes it, and lays its eggs in its abdomen. After hatching, the larva gradually eats the spider.
How do you clean a terrarium?
Cleaning is done with tweezers. Avicularia is afraid of sudden movements, so you need to clean up very slowly and carefully so as not to cause stress to your pet.
What will a person feel if they are bitten by an avicularia versicolor?
The spider's bite is about as painful as a bee sting.
Is the bite of the avicularia versicolor dangerous to humans?
The bite of a bird-eating spider is not dangerous to humans.
Under what conditions can Avicularia versicolor bite a human?
Only in the case of a direct threat or when the spider is cornered.
It is no coincidence that Avicularia versicolor has remained the star of the bird-eating spider world for many years. Its magic lies in the perfect combination of striking appearance and calm temperament. Not only is it pleasing to the eye, but it also allows its owner to enjoy its company without unnecessary stress.
For a beginner, it is one of the best options for a first encounter with bird-eating spiders. It is not so scary to make a mistake with it, and its behavior is predictable and understandable. This spider offers a unique experience, where admiration for beauty goes hand in hand with ease of care.
Ultimately, the popularity of the versicolor avicularia is the result of harmony. It has proven that an exotic pet can be incredibly beautiful, interesting to observe, and quite suitable even for beginners. It is a real gem in any arachnocopter's collection.
