Metallic pinktoe tarantula (Avicularia metallica)

Short answers

Metallic pinktoe tarantula: How big does the enclosure need to be?

30×30×40 cm (arboreal – height plus ventilation).

Metallic pinktoe tarantula: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Metallic pinktoe tarantula: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed (nocturnal).

Metallic pinktoe tarantula: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: females 12–15 years, males 2–3 years.

Metallic pinktoe tarantula: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

65–80 % (with good ventilation)

UVB

No UVB needed (nocturnal)

Enclosure

Minimum size

30×30×40 cm (arboreal – height plus ventilation)

Substrate

A thin damp layer of coco plus a vertical cork tube; planting

Feeding

Food

Insects (house crickets, small roaches, winged insects)

Feeding interval

adults 1×/week, juveniles 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

13–15 cm leg span

Life expectancy

females 12–15 years, males 2–3 years

Origin

Northern South America (the Guianas, Venezuela, northern Brazil)

Protection status

No CITES or protected status

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Keep them singly. Solitary and cannibalistic – keep them on their own. The reason is not fighting but feeding: these animals take anything that fits in the mouth, and a second animal in the enclosure counts.

Notes

An arboreal tarantula: high humidity ONLY with plenty of cross-ventilation – stagnant damp air leads to lung infections (especially in juveniles). Substrate damp, but not wet. A comparatively calm Avicularia, but it can squirt faeces as a defence. Considered an entry-level arboreal species, but the ventilation is decisive.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Pinktoe tarantula (Avicularia avicularia) – Beginner
• Peruvian pinktoe tarantula (Avicularia juruensis) – Intermediate
• Purple tree tarantula (Avicularia purpurea) – Intermediate
• Amazon birdeater (Iridopelma hirsutum) – Intermediate
• Arizona blonde tarantula (Aphonopelma chalcodes) – Beginner
• Cobalt blue tarantula (Cyriopagopus lividus) – Expert
• Gooty sapphire ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria metallica) – Expert
• Peruvian blue tarantula (Thrixopelma cyaneolum) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Metallic pinktoe tarantula (Avicularia metallica) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (30×30×40 cm (arboreal – height plus ventilation)), substrate (A thin damp layer of coco plus a vertical cork tube; planting), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.