Puerto Rican Pinktoe Tarantula

Caribena laeta Care Guide

Puerto Rican Pinktoe Tarantula

Revision Date: March 2025

Introduction

Caribena laeta, commonly referred to as the Puerto Rican Pinktoe Tarantula, is a stunning arboreal species endemic to the Caribbean, primarily Puerto Rico. This species belongs to the same genus as the well-known Caribena versicolor and shares many traits, including striking coloration, arboreal habits, and a docile temperament. Although not as commonly available in the hobby, C. laeta is a rewarding species for those looking to expand their collection of arboreal tarantulas.

While this species is generally hardy, it does require careful attention to enclosure humidity, ventilation, and climbing structures. It is a moderate-growing species that thrives in a well-ventilated, vertically oriented enclosure with ample foliage and anchor points for webbing.

Quick Species Snapshot

• Scientific Name: Caribena laeta

• Common Name: Puerto Rican Pinktoe Tarantula

• Type: Arboreal

• Category: New World

• Endemic Location: Puerto Rico

• Body Length: Up to 2.5” (6 cm)

• Diagonal Leg Span (DLS): Up to 5” (13 cm)

• Urticating Hairs: Yes

• Growth Rate: Medium

• Life Expectancy:

  • Females: Up to 12 years

  • Males: 3–4 years

• Recommended Experience Level: Intermediate

Taxonomy & Research Update

Originally classified within Avicularia, Caribena laeta was later moved to the genus Caribena alongside C. versicolor following taxonomic revisions by Fukushima & Bertani (2017). Like other Caribena species, C. laeta is distinguishable by its compact size, unique coloration, and arboreal nature. The genus Caribena remains closely studied, with ongoing research exploring its ecological role and genetic distinctions within Aviculariinae.

Behavior & Temperament

Like its close relative C. versicolor, Caribena laeta is known for its skittish but non-aggressive nature. While it is typically a calm species, it can move quickly when startled, making rehousing or maintenance a bit challenging.

This species prefers to construct intricate web tunnels among branches and leaves rather than burrow. It is an excellent climber and will spend most of its time in the upper portions of the enclosure, weaving silk retreats for security. While generally docile, handling is not recommended due to their speed and tendency to leap when startled.

Housing & Substrate – Arboreal Setup

Spiderlings

• Enclosure Size: Tarantula Cribs Treehouse Mini, Coffin Crib Mini, Treehouse Extra Small, Sling Crib

• Substrate: Fill the bottom 1/3 of the enclosure with Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude.

• Decor: Provide a vertical piece of cork bark (half-round preferred) secured with substrate, along with fake or live plants for additional cover.

• Water: A shallow water dish should be provided.

Juveniles

• Enclosure Size: Tarantula Cribs Treehouse Switch Small, Small Treehouse, Coffin Crib Medium, Crib 360 - 8 inch Arboreal

• Substrate: Same as spiderlings—1/3 filled with Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude.

• Decor: Vertical cork bark, fake/live plants, and a secure hiding spot.

• Water: A small water dish should always be available.

Adults

• Enclosure Size: Tarantula Cribs Treehouse Switch-XL2.0, Large Treehouse - Clear Back, Treehouse Switch - Large, Large Coffin Crib

• Substrate: 1/3 of the enclosure filled with Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude.

• Decor: Provide multiple vertical cork hides, branches, and artificial foliage to encourage webbing.

• Water: A larger water dish at the bottom and an additional smaller dish higher in the enclosure can help ensure hydration.

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Temperature & Humidity

• Temperature: Maintain between 68–76°F (20–24°C)

• Humidity: 65–75%; maintain with water dish and occasional moistening of sphagnum moss, ensuring proper ventilation to prevent stagnant air.

Feeding Schedule

Spiderlings

• Frequency:
  Feed twice a week.

• Prey:
  Offer small prey such as flightless fruit flies, confused flour beetles, or pre-killed tiny crickets/roach nymphs. Remove any uneaten prey after 24 hours. increase the size of the prey as the spider grows. Prekill any prey that is over 2/3 the size of the sling. For more detailed information on feeding spiderlings, watch this video: How To Feed Spiderlings & Scorplings (Baby Tarantulas & Scorpions)

• Post-Molt:
  Wait 24–48 hours after a molt before feeding. Ensure that the tarantula’s fangs are solid black and its exoskeleton is not soft or shiny.

Juveniles

• Frequency:
  Feed every 7–10 days.

• Prey:
  Provide 2–3 small to medium crickets or a medium Dubia roach.

• Feeding Guidelines:

  • If the abdomen is thinner than the widest part of the carapace, feed more prey more often.

  • If the abdomen is wider than the carapace, feed less prey, less often.
    This strategy helps prevent obesity, which can lead to molting complications or increase the risk of an abdomen rupture from even a small fall.

• Post-Molt:
  Wait 3–7 days after a molt before feeding, ensuring that the tarantula’s fangs are solid black and its exoskeleton is fully hardened.

Adults

• Frequency:
  Feed every 2–3 weeks (or as needed).

• Prey:
  Offer 4–5 large crickets or one large Dubia roach.

• Feeding Guidelines:

  • If the abdomen is thinner than the carapace’s widest part, increase feeding frequency.

  • If the abdomen is wider than the carapace, reduce feeding frequency.
    This is crucial to avoid obesity, which can interfere with proper molting or cause dangerous issues such as an abdomen rupture.

• Post-Molt:
  Wait 5–10 days after a molt before feeding, ensuring that the tarantula’s fangs are solid black and its exoskeleton is fully hardened.

Breeding Caribena laeta in Captivity

Breeding Caribena laeta (Puerto Rican Pinktoe) can be both exciting and challenging due to their arboreal nature and specific environmental needs. As a species that is less commonly bred in captivity, successful pairings help ensure healthy captive populations while reducing the need for wild collection.

Sexual Maturity & Pairing

• Male Maturity: Males typically mature within 2–4 years, developing enlarged pedipalps for sperm transfer but no tibial hooks like terrestrial species.

• Female Maturity: Females take 4–6 years to reach reproductive maturity.

• Pre-Pairing Preparation: We should ensure the female is well-fed before introducing the male to reduce defensive reactions. Maintaining high humidity (75–80%) and proper ventilation is key to mimicking their natural habitat.

Mating Process

• Introduce the male at night, giving him multiple escape routes in case the female becomes defensive.

• Males typically drum on the substrate or webbing to signal their presence.

• If receptive, the female may drum back or remain still, allowing the male to approach and insert his emboli.

• Once mating is complete, the male should be removed immediately, as the female may not tolerate his presence for long.

Egg Sac Production

• If fertilized, the female will begin producing an egg sac 3–5 months after mating.

• Maintain temperatures around 75–80°F (24–27°C) with humidity levels of 75–80%, ensuring proper ventilation to prevent mold and bacterial growth.

• The egg sac typically contains 50–200 eggs, which is relatively small compared to many terrestrial species.

Egg Sac Handling (Optional)

• Some breeders choose to pull the egg sac after 30–45 days for artificial incubation.

• If left with the mother, 1st instar spiderlings will emerge in 6–8 weeks, molting into 2nd instar within 3–4 weeks.

Raising Spiderlings

• C. laeta spiderlings are small, fast, and delicate, requiring well-ventilated arboreal enclosures with plenty of climbing surfaces.

• Feed them pinhead crickets, flightless fruit flies, or small roaches every 3–4 days.

• Maintain high humidity with good airflow to avoid stagnant conditions that could lead to health issues.

Challenges & Considerations

• Delicate spiderlings: Arboreal slings require careful humidity management and proper ventilation to thrive.

• Humidity balance: While C. laeta needs high humidity, poor airflow can lead to mold or respiratory issues, so cross-ventilation is critical.

• Female temperament varies: While generally not highly defensive, individual females may react differently to males, so close monitoring is essential.

• Male lifespan: Males typically do not live beyond a year after maturing, so breeding attempts should be made as soon as possible.

Caribena laeta is a less commonly bred species, making every successful pairing valuable in maintaining a stable captive population. By focusing on captive breeding, we help ensure this beautiful arboreal species remains available to keepers without impacting wild populations. Sustainable breeding efforts strengthen the hobby and contribute to the long-term success of this species in captivity.

Final Thoughts

Caribena laeta is a fantastic species that shares many characteristics with C. versicolor, including its arboreal lifestyle, vibrant coloration, and web-building tendencies. While it is not as commonly found in the hobby, it offers a rewarding experience for keepers interested in the Caribena genus.

Compared to C. versicolor, this species is slightly smaller and exhibits more subdued coloration, but it still retains the characteristic fuzzy pinktoe appearance. Its manageable size, docile temperament, and engaging behaviors make it a worthwhile addition to any collection of arboreal tarantulas.

Additional Recommendations

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• For enclosures, consider Tarantula Cribs (use code TTC10 for a 10% discount).

• Use Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude for substrate and other bioactive supplies.

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Additional Scientific Information

Ecological Adaptations:

Native to Puerto Rico, C. laeta inhabits tropical rainforests, where it thrives in humid environments with moderate airflow. It builds silken retreats within tree crevices, utilizing vertical structures for security and molting.

Sensory & Behavioral Adaptations:

Like all tarantulas, C. laeta has poor vision and relies on setae (sensory hairs) to detect vibrations and chemical cues in its environment. It uses silk to create retreats that provide protection from predators and environmental fluctuations.

Etymology & Genus Relevance:

The genus Caribena references its Caribbean origins, while laeta translates to “joyful” or “pleasing” in Latin, likely a nod to its charming appearance and behavior.

For further research, consult the Journal of Arachnology and ZooKeys for updated taxonomic studies on Caribena tarantulas.