Habitat: Rainforest floor
Status: Unknown
DAK Locale: Rafiki's Planet Watch
The Brazilian salmon tarantula is also called the salmon pink tarantula or the bird eating tarantula. And, yes, this huge arachnid will prey on small birds and even snakes, although the majority of its diet is other insects and small mammals and reptiles. Like other tarantulas, the species does not spin webs. It is a hunting spider. It will lie still on the forest floor waiting for prey to pass by, and then it will strike quickly. It will hold its prey using its venom to partially digest it before actually eating the softened flesh.
When threatened it will rise up on its back legs and intimidate. Its bite while not usually deadly to humans, is quite painful. The hairs on its back have barbs which can be painful to potential predators especially near the eyes and mouth. It is large, considered either the second or third largest arachnid in the world. The name comes from the soft pink hairs found on its leg. The body itself is a dark color. Males are generally more reddish in color.
Because it breeds so well in captivity, this is a common pet. Females lay as many as 2,000 eggs which are cocooned in a silk sac. The female guards the sac for several weeks until the young are hatched.
The species has not be assessed by the IUCN. However, it is native to the Atlantic forest of Brazil. This forest is highly endangered and logged extensively. Many conservation groups are attempting to preserve this critical habitat and such efforts can only help this species.
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