Avicularia purpurea spiderling • 5/8 – 3/4″ (Ecuadorian purple pink toe)

Description

A long-time hobby favorite, Avicularia purpurea is an Ecuadorian native living on the eastern or Amazonian side of the Andes.

Young A. purpurea are dark blue with banding on the abdomen. Adult A. purpurea are dark, looking almost black at times, but adjusted lighting angle shows a metallic purple sheen to the carapace. Closer examination reveals purple throughout the body.

As for all tarantulas, but particularly New World true arboreals, spiderlings require more attention than juveniles or adults. We suspect a fair number don’t make it to adulthood. Fortunately, with a few simple tips, raising A. purpurea to adulthood is within the grasp of even beginner keepers.

Enclosure structure is straightforward. Keep spiderlings in vertically oriented enclosures with vertically placed cork bark or wood. We use acrylic or polystyrene containers with a volume of 100 to 200 mL. Room temperature (68-72F) is fine. As always, warmer temperatures promote appetite and growth rate, at the risk of faster drying.

On the one hand, true New World arboreal spiderlings, including A. purpurea, are particularly susceptible to desiccation at typical US room air humidities (40-50% RH). On the other hand, enclosure air nearly saturated with water can result in condensation, with wetness and biofilm forming along walls and substrate surfaces. It is surprisingly easy to achieve with no more than slightly dampened substrate. Even with generous ventilation, humidity can reach the dew point, that is, the point where water condenses, especially when nights are cool. After repeated cycled the spiderling goes off feed. Demise is nearly inevitable.

New World arboreal spiderlings seem to do better with enclosure air kept safely below the dew point. We prefer humidity in the range of 75-85% RH +/- 5% RH. You can’t tell by looking and yes we spot check humidity with a digital meter, much higher in accuracy compared to those available even 5 years ago. Fortunately, for those without a meter one can easily enter the optimal humidity range with 1) dry substrate, 2) a water vessel and 3) controlled ventilation. Naturally, the exact configuration depends on enclosure dimensions and room air parameters. The water vessel supports moderate humidity. Dry enclosure walls and a dry substrate surface oppose biofilm.

Some hobbyists, fearful of what they call stagnant air, have gone to the extreme of using bone dry or no substrate, an abundance of holes along the top and sides, and daily or twice daily misting. The arboreal spiderling lives on a knife-edge of hydration/dehydration, but the method does work. Better understanding of the relationship between water and the captive spider permits less drastic measures.

Photos: 1-adult female (ArachnoEden); 2-A. purpurea in situ, Tena Ecuador, (Gerry)

Care highlights:

• slightly dry substrate + water dish or other humidity source
• room temperature (68-72F) up to 80F
• elevated humidity (75-85% RH) but avoid the dew point
• vertical structure for climbing and webbing