Lasiodora parahybana
Encyclopedia
The Brazilian Salmon Pink Bird-eating Tarantula (Lasiodora parahybana) is a relatively large spider
originating from northeastern Brazil
, hence its common name. This spider typically grows to a leg span of 20 cm (8 in), although occasionally exceptional specimens can reach leg spans of 25 cm (10 in). Large females can weigh upwards of 100 grams. This tarantula is one of the largest in the world, often cited as the second or third largest (after the Theraphosa blondi). In the wild the Brazilian salmon pink tarantula has even been known to prey on some small snakes.
The species was discovered and first described in 1917 by zoologist Cândido Firmino de Mello-Leitão
in the vicinities of the city of Campina Grande
, Paraíba
, where it is endemic.
They are popular as pets in the tarantula
keeping hobby today, although not recommended for beginners, as they are fast, large, and will possibly kick off urticating hair
s if annoyed. Not quick to bite, however, this species is considered somewhat 'handleable' in the hobby, but its fangs (in adults and sub-adults), which often reach up to one full inch, are capable of medically significant mechanical damage.
The terrarium should be furnished with a deep substrate (peat moss or vermiculite
are the most popular in the hobby today) and a water dish. Isopods kept live in the substrate help with mold as they've been known to eat it, as well as feeder remains. They should be kept at temperatures of around 25 °C (75 to 85°F). Schultz (1998) states "The largest giant tarantulas (e.g. Lasiodora parahybana, Lasiodora klugi
and Theraphosa blondi) require an unexpected amount of food compared to other more conventional tarantulas. One enthusiast feeds his collection three subadult mice a week; these tarantulas are definitely not for the rank amateur, the faint of heart, or a person of limited income." The staple diet in captivity is the (Acheta domestica, Orthopotera Gryllidae) or domestic house crickets
; an adult Lasiodora parahybana can consume several in one sitting, this can be supplemented with pinkie mice once or twice a month. Most collectors, however, do not recommend supplementing with mice. Many collectors prefer to feed roaches to their tarantulas, especially those as large as the L. parahybana. They are easily more filling, and nutritious, than a cricket.
These tarantulas are ideal show specimens, as they web little, hide rarely, and will often sit out in the open to be seen. Younger L. parahybana may regularly utilize a burrow, but will become more bold with size.
Spider
Spiders are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs, and chelicerae with fangs that inject venom. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species diversity among all other groups of organisms...
originating from northeastern Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, hence its common name. This spider typically grows to a leg span of 20 cm (8 in), although occasionally exceptional specimens can reach leg spans of 25 cm (10 in). Large females can weigh upwards of 100 grams. This tarantula is one of the largest in the world, often cited as the second or third largest (after the Theraphosa blondi). In the wild the Brazilian salmon pink tarantula has even been known to prey on some small snakes.
The species was discovered and first described in 1917 by zoologist Cândido Firmino de Mello-Leitão
Cândido Firmino de Mello-Leitão
Cândido Firmino de Mello-Leitão, , was a Brazilian zoologist who is considered the founder of Arachnology in South America, publishing 198 papers on the taxonomy of Arachnida...
in the vicinities of the city of Campina Grande
Campina Grande
Campina Grande is the second most populous Brazilian city in the State of Paraíba after João Pessoa, the capital. It is considered to be the most important city of the Northeastern Brazilian subregion called agreste. It is considered one of the main industrial, technological and educational...
, Paraíba
Paraíba
Paraíba Paraíba Paraíba (Tupi: pa'ra a'íba: "bad to navigation"; Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation: is a state of Brazil. It is located in the Brazilian Northeast, and is bordered by Rio Grande do Norte to the north, Ceará to the west, Pernambuco to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the east...
, where it is endemic.
They are popular as pets in the tarantula
Tarantula
Tarantulas comprise a group of often hairy and often very large arachnids belonging to the family Theraphosidae, of which approximately 900 species have been identified. Some members of the same Suborder may also be called "tarantulas" in the common parlance. This article will restrict itself to...
keeping hobby today, although not recommended for beginners, as they are fast, large, and will possibly kick off urticating hair
Urticating hair
Urticating hairs, i.e. stinging hairs, are one of the primary defense mechanisms used by numerous plants, some New World tarantulas, and various lepidopteran caterpillars. Urtica is Latin for "nettle", and hairs that urticate are characteristic of this type of plant, and many other plants in...
s if annoyed. Not quick to bite, however, this species is considered somewhat 'handleable' in the hobby, but its fangs (in adults and sub-adults), which often reach up to one full inch, are capable of medically significant mechanical damage.
Care
These arachnids can be kept quite easily in a terrarium that measures at three times its leg span in length but not too high as a fall can kill this tarantula due to its size. This tarantula loves a humid environment, thriving at relative humidities of between 65–80%. However the keeper should be aware that mold can form at very high humidities, so good ventilation (especially cross ventilation) is crucial.The terrarium should be furnished with a deep substrate (peat moss or vermiculite
Vermiculite
Vermiculite is a natural mineral that expands with the application of heat. The expansion process is called exfoliation and it is routinely accomplished in purpose-designed commercial furnaces. Vermiculite is formed by weathering or hydrothermal alteration of biotite or phlogopite...
are the most popular in the hobby today) and a water dish. Isopods kept live in the substrate help with mold as they've been known to eat it, as well as feeder remains. They should be kept at temperatures of around 25 °C (75 to 85°F). Schultz (1998) states "The largest giant tarantulas (e.g. Lasiodora parahybana, Lasiodora klugi
Lasiodora klugi
The Lasiodora klugi is a tarantula endemic to Brazil.The species grows from 8 to 10 inches in size and looks similar to Lasiodora Parahybana. The Klugi however has darker red hairs on its abdomen and has a heavier and thicker build than the Parahybana....
and Theraphosa blondi) require an unexpected amount of food compared to other more conventional tarantulas. One enthusiast feeds his collection three subadult mice a week; these tarantulas are definitely not for the rank amateur, the faint of heart, or a person of limited income." The staple diet in captivity is the (Acheta domestica, Orthopotera Gryllidae) or domestic house crickets
Cricket (insect)
Crickets, family Gryllidae , are insects somewhat related to grasshoppers, and more closely related to katydids or bush crickets . They have somewhat flattened bodies and long antennae. There are about 900 species of crickets...
; an adult Lasiodora parahybana can consume several in one sitting, this can be supplemented with pinkie mice once or twice a month. Most collectors, however, do not recommend supplementing with mice. Many collectors prefer to feed roaches to their tarantulas, especially those as large as the L. parahybana. They are easily more filling, and nutritious, than a cricket.
These tarantulas are ideal show specimens, as they web little, hide rarely, and will often sit out in the open to be seen. Younger L. parahybana may regularly utilize a burrow, but will become more bold with size.