A giant New World terrestrial tarantula with salmon-pink hairs over a dark body, fast-growing and hardy. Its huge size and bold appetite make it a favorite, though it is best for keepers comfortable with large, occasionally feisty spiders.
ℹ️
Educational only. KinStation content is reviewed by licensed veterinarians but cannot replace an in-person exam. Always consult a licensed veterinarian or board-certified specialist for diagnosis, treatment, or any decision affecting your pet's health.
🩺 Need expert help with your brazilian salmon pink tarantula?
Connect with a specialist near you or ask a licensed vet — never substitute online guidance for hands-on care in an emergency.
Very large; leg span up to 8-10 in (20-25 cm), one of the largest tarantulas in the hobby.
Lifespan
4–16 years
Social needs
solo
Native region
Northeastern Brazil (Paraíba region; tropical scrub)
Origin
New World
Climate
🌴 Tropical
Family
Theraphosidae
Genus
Lasiodora
Part of the Tarantulas
Theraphosid spiders kept as low-maintenance display invertebrates. New World species are generally docile with mild venom but bear irritating urticating hairs, while Old World species lack those hairs but tend to be fast, defensive, and have more potent (though rarely life-threatening) venom.
From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
Photo coming soon
Minimum
Juvenile / sub-adult salmon pink
10 × 10 × 8 in (juvi) → 14 × 10 × 10 in (sub-adult)
Salmon pinks grow fast and large (up to 10-in DLS), so size up substrate volume and footprint every couple of moults. Dry coco-fibre with one damp end, a sturdy hide, and a water dish.
Photo coming soon
Recommended
Adult salmon pink enclosure
18 × 14 × 12 in (floor 3× DLS for a 10-in giant)
Adult Lasiodora parahybana needs serious floor space — they're among the largest New World terrestrials. Pack 4–5 in of substrate, a half-log hide, and a wide water dish.
Photo coming soon
Ideal
Naturalistic giant terrestrial
24 × 14 × 14 in, bioactive
Bioactive enclosure with deep packed substrate, leaf litter, a sculpted hide, and a cleanup crew. Salmon pinks kick urticating hairs readily — keep the enclosure away from face level.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
Photo coming soon
Egg
These invertebrates lay eggs — often in a guarded clutch, a silk sac (spiders), or a brood (carried by female isopods). The eggs are small and soft and develop without a true larval or pupal transformation.
Photo coming soon
Juvenile
Juveniles hatch as miniature versions of the adult and grow by molting their exoskeleton (or, in snails, by enlarging the shell). They gain size, segments, or leg pairs and gradually take on adult coloration with each molt.
Adult
Adults reach full size and reproductive maturity with the species' mature form and coloration. Many arachnids and myriapods continue to molt as adults, and sexes can differ in size or in specialized appendages.
Habitat & enclosure
Provide a large terrestrial enclosure for one spider (a 15-20 gallon footprint for an adult) with generous floor space and low height to prevent falls. Include a sturdy cork-bark hide and a large water dish. Keep at 72-82F (22-28C). It tolerates moderate humidity: keep substrate mostly dry with a damp corner and a full water dish. No UVB required. Use a secure, escape-proof lid.
Substrate
Use 3-5 in (8-12 cm) of coco fiber or a coco/topsoil mix, deep enough to cushion the heavy body and allow light burrowing. Keep mostly dry with one damp area. Spot-clean to manage the larger volume of waste this big eater produces.
Equipment & setup
No heat needed at normal room temperatures; if required, use a thermostat-controlled side-mounted heat mat. No UVB. A large ventilated terrarium with a secure lid, a robust hide, and a big water dish are key. Long feeding tongs and a catch cup help with safe maintenance of such a large, sometimes feisty spider.
Diet
An enormous appetite to match its size; it readily takes large crickets, dubia roaches, superworms, and other appropriately sized feeders. Slings feed 2-3x weekly, juveniles weekly, adults every 1-2 weeks. Despite the 'birdeater' name, a varied insect diet is ideal; vertebrate prey is unnecessary. Avoid power-feeding to preserve lifespan. Remove uneaten prey and stop feeding in premolt.
Behavior & temperament
A bold New World species that is generally calm but can be defensive when disturbed. It flicks urticating hairs freely (a large spider means a large dose) and may bolt or stand its ground. Venom is mild, but its size, speed, and irritating hairs make handling inadvisable. It is highly visible and a dramatic display animal.
Health
Extremely hardy, fast-growing, and forgiving, which suits keepers stepping up to a giant. Females typically live 12-16 years while mature males live only a few years; watch for dehydration and, importantly, falls: a heavy abdomen can rupture fatally from even a short drop, so keep the lid close to the substrate. Its abundant urticating hairs can irritate skin, airways, and eyes. Regrowth of bald abdomen patches occurs at each molt; never disturb a molting spider.
Tips, DIY & hacks
Keep the enclosure low-profile to prevent dangerous falls. Wear caution around its potent urticating hairs and consider eye protection during deep cleans. Feed moderately rather than power-feeding. Its size and resilience make it a popular choice for keepers ready to handle a true giant (visually, not literally).
