Antilles Pintoe Tarantula

Caribena versicolor Care Guide

The Antilles Pinktoe Tarantula

Revision Date: March 2025

Introduction

Caribena versicolor, known as the Antilles Pinktoe, Martinique Pinktoe, or Martinique Red Tree Spider, is an incredibly vibrant and popular arboreal species native to the Caribbean islands. Formerly classified under the Avicularia genus, this tarantula is beloved for its striking coloration, docile temperament, and relatively easy care.

Quick Species Snapshot

• Scientific Name: Caribena versicolor

• Common Names: Antilles Pinktoe, Martinique Pinktoe, Martinique Red Tree Spider

• Type: Arboreal

• Category: New World

• Native Range: Caribbean, specifically Martinique in the Lesser Antilles

• Size: Up to 6 inches diagonal leg span (15 cm)

• Growth Rate: Fast

• Life Expectancy: Females ~12 years; Males 3–4 years

• Experience Level: Beginner to Intermediate

What Makes Caribena versicolor Special?

C. versicolor is renowned for its incredible color transformation, from vibrant metallic-blue spiderlings to stunning adults showcasing greens, reds, and purples. Coupled with its docile temperament and tendency to jump, this species is genuinely captivating and highly rewarding to keep.

Sudden Avic Death Syndrome (SADS)

Caribena versicolor was historically considered challenging due to Sudden Avic Death Syndrome (SADS). Previously attributed to inadequate humidity, recent understanding indicates the real culprit is poor ventilation combined with overly moist, stagnant air.

Ensuring your enclosure has excellent cross ventilation is key to preventing SADS. Rather than misting heavily, maintain humidity with a large water dish and occasional light misting or damp sphagnum moss. Avoid creating conditions where moisture builds up without sufficient airflow.

While adults are robust and forgiving of minor care mistakes, spiderlings and juveniles are much more fragile. Their sensitivity means they're more prone to sudden deaths, making them intermediate-level tarantulas to raise successfully. Proper ventilation and careful humidity control greatly reduce the risk.

Historically, wild-caught Avicularia species were common in the pet trade, leading to additional health problems and poor survival rates. Fortunately, captive breeding is now widespread, drastically improving health and survival chances. Always ensure your Avicularia avicularia is captive-bred from reputable breeders to avoid health issues and support responsible hobby practices.

Always buy captive-bred specimens from reputable breeders, like Spider Shoppe (use code TTC10 for 10% off), to ensure healthy, thriving spiders.

Natural Habitat & Enclosure Setup

In the wild, Caribena versicolor resides among branches and leaves, constructing intricate web tunnels high in the trees. In captivity, prioritize vertical space, climbing structures, ample hiding spots, and excellent cross-ventilation.

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.

Note: Use this affiliate link or enter the TTC10 code at checkout to save 10% on Tarantula Cribs enclosures.

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.

Behavior & Temperament

Caribena versicolor is generally known for being a calm and docile tarantula, making it an excellent choice for hobbyists new to arboreal species. However, don't let their gentle reputation fool you; they can be surprisingly quick and agile. This species has a notable tendency to jump when startled, and they will occasionally leap onto hands or clothing during routine enclosure maintenance. While their venom is mild and poses minimal health risks, handling should be limited to avoid unnecessary stress.

Historically, this tarantula was classified under the genus Avicularia and known as Avicularia versicolor. In 2017, it was moved into the newly established genus Caribena due to differences in morphology, behavior, and genetics. The genus name Caribena comes from the Caribbean region where this tarantula is endemic, and "versicolor" is Latin meaning "varied colors," referencing the dramatic color changes they undergo from sling to adulthood. Spiderlings start out with brilliant metallic blue coloration, gradually shifting into a stunning mix of reds, greens, and purples as they mature.

Like other New World arboreals, Caribena versicolor possesses Type II urticating hairs. Unlike terrestrial species, they don't kick these hairs at threats; rather, these irritating hairs transfer upon direct contact. Additionally, they are known to use another unusual defensive strategy, shooting feces towards perceived threats to discourage predators or overly curious keepers.

Breeding Caribena versicolor in Captivity

Breeding Caribena versicolor (Antilles Pinktoe Tarantula) can be a rewarding experience, but it requires careful attention to humidity, ventilation, and pairing behavior. This stunning arboreal species is highly sought after, and captive breeding is essential to prevent unnecessary collection from the wild and to maintain healthy populations in the hobby.

Sexual Maturity & Pairing

• Male Maturity: Males 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%) with adequate ventilation is crucial for breeding success.

Mating Process

• Introduce the male at night, ensuring multiple escape routes for him.

• The male will typically drum on the webbing or substrate to communicate with the female.

• If receptive, the female will either 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 female behavior can be unpredictable.

Egg Sac Production

• If fertilized, the female will produce 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 cross-ventilation to prevent mold or bacterial issues.

• The egg sac typically contains 100–200 eggs, which is smaller than many terrestrial species but consistent with arboreal tarantulas.

Egg Sac Handling (Optional)

• Some breeders prefer 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. versicolor spiderlings are tiny, fast, and delicate, requiring 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 can lead to health issues.

Challenges & Considerations

• Delicate spiderlings: Arboreal slings are highly sensitive to poor ventilation and overly damp conditions, so proper humidity control and airflow are essential.

• Humidity balance: High humidity is necessary, but stagnant air can lead to mold or respiratory issues, making cross-ventilation critical.

• Female temperament varies: While typically not overly defensive, C. versicolor females can react unpredictably to males, so close supervision is necessary.

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

Caribena versicolor is one of the most popular arboreal tarantulas in the hobby, but its wild populations still face threats from habitat loss and collection. By prioritizing captive breeding efforts, we ensure that this species remains readily available to keepers without impacting the wild. Every successful breeding project strengthens the hobby while preserving this incredible species for future generations.

Final Thoughts

Caribena versicolor is undeniably one of the most visually spectacular tarantulas available in the hobby, appreciated not only for its stunning appearance but also for its fascinating behavioral traits. Its journey through the taxonomic ranks, from Avicularia to Caribena, highlights how ongoing research continues to shape our understanding of these amazing creatures. Unlike the potent and swift arboreals of the genus Poecilotheria, the Antilles Pinktoe offers a gentle introduction into arboreal tarantula keeping. However, due to their past struggles with Sudden Avic Death Syndrome (SADS), proper husbandry practices, especially regarding ventilation and moderate humidity, are crucial for successfully raising this species from sling to adulthood.

For tarantula enthusiasts who appreciate both beauty and engaging behaviors, the Caribena versicolor is a remarkable addition to any collection. Their colorful history, captivating appearance, and intriguing behaviors make them an absolute favorite among hobbyists.

Additional Recommendations

For optimal care, choose Tarantula Cribs (code TTC10 for 10% off), use substrate from The Bio Dude, and always purchase from reputable breeders like Spider Shoppe, using code TTC10 for 10% savings. For additional trusted vendors, visit the Dealer & Discounts section on my website.