ANIMAL:Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater Tarantula/Spider Lasiodora parahybana
Type of Animal:
Tarantula
Habitat:
Forests
Location(s):
E Brazil
Appearance:
Uniform black to very dark brown color w/ pink-red hairs along legs/abdomen/chelicerae (mouth appendages), males have slightly more vibrant coloration & longer legs, females bulkier/larger, very large tarantula, 3rd largest tarantula in world
Food/Diet:
Insects, insect larvae, amphibians, lizards, snakes, small birds, small rodents, smaller spiders (females sometimes prey on smaller males)
Status in Wild:
Stable
Conservation:
Breeding in zoos, pet trade, & breeders
Lifestyle:
Solitary
Additional Info:Called:
Male
Female
Young: Spiderling
Group: Solitary
Weight:
Male: 2.5 oz
Female: 3.5 oz
Gestation:
4 monthsLife Span:
Males: 2-5 years
Females: 15 years
Body Length:
Male: 6.5 in
Female: 7 in
Main predators are other tarantulas (females prey on smaller males), spider wasps, carnivorous/omnivorous mammals, birds, snakes, & lizards.
Like all tarantulas, they have poor eyesight (even though they have 8 eyes) & hunt by sensing ground vibrations.
Males have 10-11 in leg span, females 8 in.
Females lay eggs in thick silk carpets & often lay around 500 but sometimes up to 2,000 eggs.
Males die within few months after mating, explaining much shorter lifespan for males.
Sometimes kept as pets.
Can be 6 in in diameter by 1 year of age.
Like most tarantulas, they don’t spin webs to catch prey but rather lie in wait near burrow.
When males approach females, she often rears up/opens fangs as if threatened. Male reaches up & secures fangs w/ front leg hooks, then inserting sperm-loaded pedipalps into genital openings on abdomen underside.
Fun Fact(s):
Like all tarantulas, capable of delivering painful but nonlethal venomous bite. Dry bites (those w/o venom) not uncommon. Fangs themselves more likely to do damage since they can break human skin. Venom more often used for killing prey. Prefers rubbing abdomen w/ hind legs, releasing highly irritating urticating hairs. Other mechanisms are rubbing hairs together creating hissing noise that can be heard up to 15 ft away & rearing up on hind legs showing inch-long fangs. Typically only injure people in self-defense having rather docile temperament.
Since they don’t have teeth to tear/chew food, they regurgitate digestive juices into prey, breaking down soft tissue making it possible for spider to suck up liquid/eat meal.
Can regenerate lost limbs when molting.
Some cultures eat them after roasting them, saying they have shrimp-like flavor.
