Avicularia merianae (Shadowflame Pinktoe/Peruvian Pinktoe) Care Sheet

Avicularia merianae is also known as the “Peruvian Pinktoe” or “Shadowflame Pinktoe” This elegant arboreal species is native to Peru. It is admired for its velvety dark body, often accented with iridescent hues of champagne, pink, purple and red. Like all “Pinktoes” A. meriane possesses pink or peach-colored tips on its feet that give the group its common name. Unlike terrestrial tarantulas, this species spends most of its life in trees, constructing silken retreats in hollow branches, leaves, or crevices where it rests and waits for prey.

Despite being skittish and having the ability to move quickly, Avicularia merianae is generally considered gentle and more inclined to flee or hide than display aggression when disturbed. It mostly relies on speed, agility and flicking hairs if threaded. Like other Avicularia, they are able to shoot fecal matter with incredible speed, distance and accuracy when threatened. Its diet primarily consists of small insects and other invertebrates, which it captures with a combination of patience and sudden bursts of movement.

With its graceful climbing behavior, unique defensive strategies, and soft yet striking coloration, Avicularia merianae stands out as a captivating species for both scientific observation and enthusiasts interested in arboreal tarantulas.

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Origin: New World. This tropical species is native to Peru

Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate, depending on size (smaller specimens are more finicky)

Type: Arboreal

Adult Size: 4-5”

Growth speed: Medium

Longevity: Males 4-7 years, females 8-12+ years. Click HERE to learn how to determine the gender of a tarantula. 

Temperament: Docile yet skittish. If agitated they may flee and/or flick urticating hairs. Bites of this species are rare.

Bite potency:  Mild

Urticating hairs: Yes

Ideal Temperature:  70 to 75°

Humidity: Medium to Medium-High

Interesting Fact: A. merianae is named after the Dutch-German naturalist and painter Maria Sibylla Merian, in recognition of her studies on tarantulas.

Enclosure: Good ventilation is a must and safety should be a top priority when choosing and designing your tarantulas enclosure. For spiderlings under about 1-1 1/4″ I recommend the 2.25 x 2.25 - Arboreal Kit. For specimens over 1″ to about 2 1/2″ I recommend the 4x4x8 Arboreal Kit.  Specimens over 2-2 1/2″ and to about can go into a 7x7x11” or 8x8x14” Arboreal Enclosure. 

Click HERE to find out how to you measure a tarantula.

Avicularia species require an enclosure that is taller than it is wide to suit its arboreal nature. Vertical space is essential, along with climbing structures like cork bark, branches, or vines. It also needs multiple anchor points, such as foliage or textured surfaces, to build its signature tubeweb retreats high above the ground. Good ventilation is important to prevent stagnant, overly humid air while still maintaining moderate humidity.

Substrate: Cocofiber, vermiculite, peat moss and/or potting soil (or a mix) are all excellent substrate choices. Please make sure the substrate you choose is organic and chemical/fertilizer free. Do not use sand, pebbles, rocks or wood chips or anything else that could potentially cut or injure the tarantula. An underlayment of hydronton or similar and.or cork chips are typically okay. 

Water: Arboreal species also require frequent misting. Larger specimens 1 1/2-2” and over should be provided with a shallow water bowl. Be sure to use RO or spring water to avoid potential health issues as a result of trace pesticides and/or chemicals. 

Feeding: Adults will eat every 4-10 days depending on the size of the spider and it’s prey. Spiderlings should eat more often, every 2-5 days. Adults may be fed crickets, mealworms or roaches. Spiderlings under .75” can only eat food small enough for it to overpower. This includes pinhead crickets, flightless fruit flies & freshly hatched “pinhead” rusty red roaches. It is not advised to feed your tarantula wild-caught food. It could contain parasites or pesticides that could be fatal to your pet. Keep your tarantulas enclosure clean. food waste left in the enclosure will invite mold, mildew, mites, flies and other pests. It is advised to remove uneaten prey items after 3-12 hours. If using a feeder who will not “bother” a tarantula such as dubia roaches it is alright to leave them in the enclosure as long as they are not causing stress to the specimen. A more detailed feeding, misting & troubleshooting guide can be found HERE.