Young pink toe care questions?

[ChrisAnderson]

My Rose Hair tarantula passed away during an attempted molt last weekend, so I decided to get a replacement. I was going to just get another Rose Hair but found a Pink Toe tarantula I liked at a nearby store. I researched the differences as extensively as I could, but I have some questions/concerns that I was hoping you guys could help with.

-This tarantula, unlike the Rose Hair I had before it, seems very young. I can't tell it's age or gender but my best guess is a female who recently reached maturity, since it's only about 1 1/2 inches long and females seem to be much more common than males. What are your thoughts on this? (picture of the Pink Toe: )

-What is the growth rate for a Pink Toe? I've heard they can grow fast, but nothing specific. I'm trying to get a general idea of when to expect molts so I don't feed it during that time.
-When should I start feeding? With my last tarantula I waited about two weeks but she was already an adult, and this one is still growing.
-Guessing I don't even need to ask this but as I understand it Pink Toes can't be kept together right? I've heard of people attempting this with mixed results and I probably won't even be trying it.

Going to go buy plants and stuff for new tarantula to climb on, if you guys have any input it's much appreciated.

 

[Krystal Anne]

Welcome! I'm glad you found this forum and hope you stick around.

1. Sounds like a juvenile, not a mature female. You need to check the next molt to fully confirm the sex.

2. As for growth rate, not super fast, but definitely fast compared to a rose hair. I got mine in October 2017 at around 3" DLS after a fresh molt, and she's molted twice with me since then, now around 4-5" I'm guessing. Don't worry about exact dates when to expect molts, just keep an eye on the abdomen.

3. No, don't keep them together.

4. From your photo, I can see that your T is not kept in correct conditions. You should NEVER see an avicularia on the ground, unless there's something wrong. This is an arboreal tarantula, aka a tree-dweller, so nothing like your old rose hair. Mine comes close to the ground during hunting or when drinking water, but only barely.

Can someone link those 2 awesome threads on avicularia care?

 

[Nightstalker47]

I can't tell it's age or gender but my best guess is a female who recently reached maturity, since it's only about 1 1/2 inches long

Its an immature specimen at that size, females would need to be at least 3.5-4" to be mature.

females seem to be much more common than males.

Nope, males are just as common.

-What is the growth rate for a Pink Toe?

Reasonably fast but nothing like many other species, a small juvie like yours will do far better in a smaller enclosure.

What are your thoughts on this? (picture of the Pink Toe: )

Impossible to sex from a picture like this. Your setup doesn't look right at all, too large and that hide is useless on the ground. This is an arboreal tarantula, and for the record...seeing an avic sitting on the ground for prolonged periods is a very bad sign.

You'll need to work on your enclosure, happy to help if you share more photos.
http://arachnoboards.com/threads/avicularia-husbandry.282549/
http://arachnoboards.com/threads/avicularia-care.291340/

 

[ChrisAnderson]

Yeah I just purchased the tarantula a few hours ago. As I said I had difficulty gathering information because it came from a regular pet store but I'm buying stuff for it to climb on tonight. I'm willing to move it to a smaller enclosure but I need to find one that's taller first. I'm keeping a hideaway in the tank to make it more comfortable until I replace the tank.

I'm not inexperienced at all, I owned a Rose Hair for many years before she died during her last molt. The setup was intended for a second Rose Hair but I couldn't find one locally so I decided to try a Pink Toe.

And when I said females were more common I meant that in the case of this particular pet store, they almost always received females. Not sure why though.

 

[spookyvibes]

http://arachnoboards.com/threads/avicularia-care.291340/

http://arachnoboards.com/threads/avicularia-husbandry.282549/

This tarantula, unlike the Rose Hair I had before it, seems very young. I can't tell it's age or gender but my best guess is a female who recently reached maturity, since it's only about 1 1/2 inches long and females seem to be much more common than males. What are your thoughts on this? (picture of the Pink Toe: )

Although there are some sexually dimorphic tarantulas, this is not one of them. With that being said, we cannot tell from an overhead shot of the tarantula if it’s male or female. You’ll have to wait for a molt to confirm its sex.

What is the growth rate for a Pink Toe? I've heard they can grow fast, but nothing specific. I'm trying to get a general idea of when to expect molts so I don't feed it during that time.

I haven’t raised one from a sling so I have no first hand experience, but I’ve heard that Avicularia avicularia (presumably the species of tarantula you got) have a medium growth rate. Not insanely fast like some species, but definitely not glacial like some other species.

When should I start feeding? With my last tarantula I waited about two weeks but she was already an adult, and this one is still growing.

Feeding after rehousing you mean? You don’t have to wait to feed, you can feed as soon as it’ll eat.

Guessing I don't even need to ask this but as I understand it Pink Toes can't be kept together right? I've heard of people attempting this with mixed results and I probably won't even be trying it.

No, they’re definitely not a communal species.

I’m very sorry to hear about the loss of your Rose Hair. A 32oz deli cup with tons of cross ventilation will be perfect for an Avic of that size.

 

[Venom1080]

Owning a G porteri, no matter for how long, doesn't mean you're a expert on any new genus you take on.


Everythings been answered pretty throughly. Do prepare for new additions before acquiring them.

 

[Krystal Anne]

A couple of people posted those 2 links on avicularia care - I suggest you read both of them thoroughly. Like @Venom1080 said, you can keep a G. porteri for 25 years and still be completely inexperienced with an A. avicularia.

I'm really sorry about your loss and we're not talking down on your experience or anything like that. We just see a lot of avicularia deaths due to improper care, and we want you and your new tarantula to be happy.

After reading those threads, post photos of your new set up when you can in case there's anything else we can help with!

 

[AnimalNewbie]

Just because you owned a G. porteri for a couple of years doesn’t make you a specialist. There nearly impossible to kill it’s like owning a rock and saying you are a specialist of every gem and mineral plants on the planet. Your setup doesn’t even look suitable for a rose hair as the substrate looks damp.if you’ve only had 2 Ts how can you assume there are more females than males when your not even sure of the sex of both. Care is simpl keep it dry. House it in one of those cheese puff jars made out of plastics poke a lot of ventilation holes in there, add some leaf litter and a vertical piece of cork bark and throw in a water bowl. No heat, no handling done

 

[The Grym Reaper]

I'm not inexperienced at all, I owned a Rose Hair for many years before she died during her last molt.

That's like me saying I'm an experienced snake keeper because I've kept a corn snake for a while.

I can't tell it's age or gender but my best guess is a female who recently reached maturity, since it's only about 1 1/2 inches long and females seem to be much more common than males.

It's a juvenile (I'm assuming you mean body length and not leg span), you'll need to either get a crystal clear ventral shot or wait for a moult to know the sex, with the vast majority of species males and females are practically identical until maturity.

-What is the growth rate for a Pink Toe? I've heard they can grow fast, but nothing specific.

Medium-ish, they're not painfully slow like B. albiceps but not fast growers like Psalmos/Pokies

-When should I start feeding? With my last tarantula I waited about two weeks but she was already an adult, and this one is still growing.

I wait 24hrs after housing, as it's a juvenile you'll want to feed every 7-10 days.

-Guessing I don't even need to ask this but as I understand it Pink Toes can't be kept together right?

No, basically anything other than M. balfouri in a communal setup is asking for cannibalism.

Check out the Avic care guides that were linked above.

Some ideas for enclosures for small-mid sized specimens. Adults can be housed in nano tall exo terra enclosures.

 

[ChrisAnderson]

Was lucky enough to find a reasonably sized enclosure to upgrade the Pink Toe to. I didn't really expect to find a high ceiling one but it's lucky I did. I think it's a little big but it'll offer plenty of exploration and room for the animal's growth over time. Anyway the Pink Toe is happily accommodated now and enjoying her new habitat:

Just because you owned a G. porteri for a couple of years doesn’t make you a specialist. There nearly impossible to kill it’s like owning a rock and saying you are a specialist of every gem and mineral plants on the planet. Your setup doesn’t even look suitable for a rose hair as the substrate looks damp.if you’ve only had 2 Ts how can you assume there are more females than males when your not even sure of the sex of both. Care is simpl keep it dry. House it in one of those cheese puff jars made out of plastics poke a lot of ventilation holes in there, add some leaf litter and a vertical piece of cork bark and throw in a water bowl. No heat, no handling done

At what point did I claim to be a specialist? All I did was state that I had done as much research as I could, and that I had experience owning tarantulas in general, so I knew some of the basics. I openly admitted that I was no specialist in Pink Toe care so I don't know why you're accusing me of the contrary.

Owning a G porteri, no matter for how long, doesn't mean you're a expert on any new genus you take on.


Everythings been answered pretty throughly. Do prepare for new additions before acquiring them.

As I have previously stated I had absolutely no intention of getting a non Rose Hair tarantula. This was a very last minute decision, the Pink Toe was being kept in terrible pet store conditions and I couldn't find another Rose Hair, so knowing perfectly well I could alter or change the habitat to be more suitable with sufficient information later that same day, I rescued it from the 2 gallon, climbable-barren "enclosure" it was being forced to live in. It was difficult to find the information I needed right away but ultimately it was only a matter of hours before it got into a suitable enclosure in the end. I'm certainly glad I got what I needed from this forum though. Thanks to all of you for your help. I might post an update on the Pink Toe's progress in a few weeks.

Thanks also for the condolences regarding my lost Rose Hair. Since I have two enclosures and two sets of equipment now I'll probably get a second Rose Hair tarantula once I come across one.

 

[Ungoliant]

This tarantula, unlike the Rose Hair I had before it, seems very young. I can't tell it's age or gender but my best guess is a female who recently reached maturity, since it's only about 1 1/2 inches long and females seem to be much more common than males. What are your thoughts on this? (picture of the Pink Toe: )

The tarantula cannot be sexed from this photo. See this thread for the types of images that are needed and where they should be posted.

 

[cold blood]

Some minor corrections...you want to know if its a juvie or adult...and about growth rates.

To give a proper answer, we need to know the species....there are many many species known as pink toes, some max at only 3", others can reach near 7"....some grow really fast, others brutally slow.

Did they give you a scientific name? Without knowing this, you wont know the species. Saying its a pink toe is like saying your dog is a terrier...lots of very differrent terriers that vary greatly in every way.

At least you can figure the care though, as care is essentially the same for all "pink toes".

 

[Nightstalker47]

Was lucky enough to find a reasonably sized enclosure to upgrade the Pink Toe to. I didn't really expect to find a high ceiling one but it's lucky I did. I think it's a little big but it'll offer plenty of exploration and room for the animal's growth over time. Anyway the Pink Toe is happily accommodated now and enjoying her new habitat:

At what point did I claim to be a specialist? All I did was state that I had done as much research as I could, and that I had experience owning tarantulas in general, so I knew some of the basics. I openly admitted that I was no specialist in Pink Toe care so I don't know why you're accusing me of the contrary.



As I have previously stated I had absolutely no intention of getting a non Rose Hair tarantula. This was a very last minute decision, the Pink Toe was being kept in terrible pet store conditions and I couldn't find another Rose Hair, so knowing perfectly well I could alter or change the habitat to be more suitable with sufficient information later that same day, I rescued it from the 2 gallon, climbable-barren "enclosure" it was being forced to live in. It was difficult to find the information I needed right away but ultimately it was only a matter of hours before it got into a suitable enclosure in the end. I'm certainly glad I got what I needed from this forum though. Thanks to all of you for your help. I might post an update on the Pink Toe's progress in a few weeks.

Thanks also for the condolences regarding my lost Rose Hair. Since I have two enclosures and two sets of equipment now I'll probably get a second Rose Hair tarantula once I come across one.

Hey man, did you miss the part where we suggested a smaller enclosure for now?

That will work for an adult, but a little overkill for your juvie specimen...it will make feeding more difficult and it may not feel very secure in there. Small enclosed spaces are where tarantulas naturally make their homes, keeping a low profile is how they stay alive in the wild...if they feel exposed that will lead to a stressed spider. I would house in a smaller enclosure for another molt or two at least, and have the larger one at the ready for the future.

Another thing to consider is your screen lid, they can get stuck in them...albeit rare with arboreals, its still possible. You can simply cover it with a cut sized piece of acrylic, drill vent holes and then you're all set.

Good luck.

 

[Teal]

Yikes...

Well, it seems you have ignored every bit of advice you've been given in this thread, in deference to all the experience you gained keeping one hardy terrestrial spider.

1. That enclosure is far too large. Buy a tall deli cup, fill it with bark and fake plants, and call it good.

2. "Pink toe" is useless (as are 99% of common names). You have an Avicularia... no telling what species, since it came from a pet store rather than a reputable breeder.

3. This spider is far more delicate than your last one. You seem to have this idea that you "saved" it from a terrible pet store set up, but you haven't actually improved its living conditions based on what the spider needs.

 

[ChrisAnderson]

Hey man, did you miss the part where we suggested a smaller enclosure for now?

That will work for an adult, but a little overkill for your juvie specimen...it will make feeding more difficult and it may not feel very secure in there. Small enclosed spaces are where tarantulas naturally make their homes, keeping a low profile is how they stay alive in the wild...if they feel exposed that will lead to a stressed spider. I would house in a smaller enclosure for another molt or two at least, and have the larger one at the ready for the future.

Another thing to consider is your screen lid, they can get stuck in them...albeit rare with arboreals, its still possible. You can simply cover it with a cut sized piece of acrylic, drill vent holes and then you're all set.

Good luck.

No I understand, I might move it to something smaller. For now I'm going to observe it, I feel like moving it between enclosures too often will stress it out and it's been through enough in the last few days. Also I have no idea what it's growth rate is.

Yikes...

Well, it seems you have ignored every bit of advice you've been given in this thread, in deference to all the experience you gained keeping one hardy terrestrial spider.

1. That enclosure is far too large. Buy a tall deli cup, fill it with bark and fake plants, and call it good.

2. "Pink toe" is useless (as are 99% of common names). You have an Avicularia... no telling what species, since it came from a pet store rather than a reputable breeder.

3. This spider is far more delicate than your last one. You seem to have this idea that you "saved" it from a terrible pet store set up, but you haven't actually improved its living conditions based on what the spider needs.

I really don't appreciate the attitude. I came here for advice, and in spite of whatever you may have "observed" I've acted on it. I was advised against using the original enclosure. I stopped using it. I have been advised to move it to something smaller until it reaches adulthood. I intend to do just that. So I do not understand and do not care for people like you choosing to scold me and tell me that I'm doing a terrible job when I am doing the best that I can with the research I've done and the experience that I do have. Knowing full well that I needed advice, I came to this thread. I received advice. I've acted on it. Then someone like you comes along and decides to be sarcastic and condescending to me when I have indeed taken the advice I've been given. How exactly does being a cynic to me help my ability to care for the tarantula or it's well being? How does seeing that I changed the enclosure almost immediately after being told to do so, and thanking people for their help qualify as ignoring advice? Tell me exactly how doing as I was advised to do qualifies as ignoring advice.

1. I'm aware. I bought a larger one because I knew it would grow and need more room as an adult, but under the advice of people who can post replies without sounding like a cynical dick I'll be moving the animal to a smaller enclosure later today.

2. As I have said repeatedly, time and time again, the place I bought this tarantula from had no idea how to take care of it, let alone know how to identify it's species specifically. The sum total of information I had access to regarding the species of the animal is that it's called a Pink Toe. There's nothing I can do about that because there's absolutely no way for me to know anything about the tarantula's genetics that the people I bought it from don't know.

3. I can assure you that the animal was being kept in awful conditions. It had little to no room to move around, nothing to climb on, no water, and no substrate. It was literally just sitting in a plastic box, tucked away behind a bunch of other reptiles. I am not experienced in owning this species but I, unlike a crappy pet store, am willing and able to learn to properly care for the animal, and to do the necessary research. That's the reason I'm on this forum putting up with people like you. And as you can plainly see, as soon as I discovered my enclosure was insufficient I upgraded it. I'm still doing that. The tarantula will be moved to something smaller pretty soon.

I understand and can appreciate that you want what's best for the new tarantula, but you're coming off as pretty rude and I don't appreciate it. Scorning and being sarcastic with me for making mistakes beginner owners always make does nothing. I've put up with people doing that countless times. I'd be very interested to hear if you telling someone that they've "ignored every bit of advice they've been given" has actually provided any substantive help to any person on this forum, ever. I am a beginner. I have acted on the advice given to me by more experienced owners. I have made mistakes. This is clearly visible at the beginning of this thread. You can see quite clearly that I immediately upgraded the enclosure when told to do so. You can see that I thanked people for their help, and took their advice to heart.

I have invested time, effort, and research into keeping this animal in ideal conditions, have openly admitted to the fact that I know nothing about this species, asked for advice, in the hopes that people who respond to a beginner's plea for more experienced input doesn't come with someone like you scorning me and telling me I'm doing it all wrong because I've owned this Pink Toe for three days. I am new to this and I'd appreciate you not acting like I'm a terrible pet owner and I'm doing everything wrong. I am trying. This thread is proof. If you think otherwise that's your problem. DO NOT TELL ME I AM IGNORING EVERY BIT OF ADVICE I AM BEING GIVEN!

Thanks to those of you who actually did provide advice without acting like I'm some horrible pet owner. As I said I will move the tarantula to a smaller enclosure until it reaches adulthood. I won't be responding to any more posts on this thread so the mods can close it if they want to. I might post an update in a few months once the tarantula reaches adulthood. Cheers.

 

[Whitelightning777]

This is how I keep my C versicolor, which basically is kept identically to a pink toe like yours. This is an ExoTerra nano enclosure. This will work when yours gets a bit larger.




This is another arboreal enclosure. I don't have an Avic in it, but it would work just fine for one. It's a Terra Blue 2 gallon enclosure with a reptilock.



This enclosure is a modified Jamie's juvenile arboreal enclosure which has a better vent and a feeding port. It's the one on the left. That size would be perfect for an Avic sling. The one on the right is one that I hated, but housed my versicolor until he could go into something bigger.



These guys are DRY spiders!! They do not need any extra moisture in terms of moss or wet substrate or anything else.

They DO require an elevated waterdish above ground level since they generally won't go to ground even if they are starving or dehydrated.

They should have at least one object to climb on that they can also hide behind such as cork bark or a cork bark round or semi round piece of decor.

Once you get a tube web, just drop feeders right in. The orientation of the cage needs to be vertical in it's proportion not flat or cubical. Since these guys go up when startled, having a high visibility enclosure is very important. To safely open the cage, you must be able to positively locate the spider first!! This means the material be it glass, plastic or acrylic needs to be crystal clear.

Besides, a pink toe is a beautiful tarantula and you should always be able to enjoy it's good looks!!

Feed it feeders half it's size once or twice a week unless it's in premolt. If possible, put it into a warmer part of your home at 75 degrees or over 75. Don't exceed 85 degrees however.

 

[The Grym Reaper]

They DO require an elevated waterdish above ground level since they generally won't go to ground even if they are starving or dehydrated.

No they don't, I've seen every species of Avicularia/Caribena/Ybyrapora that I've kept (A. avicularia/A. metallica/A. minatrix/A. variegata/ 3x C. versicolor/Y. diversipes) come down to ground level to drink (Ever days before/after moulting), you might get the odd one that is a bit of a derp and forgets that it has a dish but to say they're all generally like that is nonsense.

 

[Whitelightning777]

My Versicolor flat out refuses to touch the substrate. He regularly uses his elevated water dish with no issues.

He's also a world class spaz of a tarantula!!

In some ways, he lacks any semblance of common sense whatsoever even by invert standards.

Heck, I've seen him walk around the enclosure the long way simply to eat a feeder on the other side of the web when it was 2 inches away.

Heck, at times I've walked away after feeding him or adding water because I'm embarrassed on his behalf.

Still, I wouldn't have it any other way.