Avicularia
Native to Panama, the Caribbean, and tropical South America. Each species in the genus has very distinguishable pink foot pads. Urticating hairs are distinct to New World tarantulas including the Avicularia that are attached to the spider’s cuticle via a stalk. These spiny, barbed hairs are used as a defence against potential intruders as well as embedded into silk to protect the egg sac. In active defence, the hairs are released by contact with the stimulus and rubbed in. Avicularia avicularia are among the tarantulas most commonly kept as pets for their “stunning” color and size.
- Avicularia avicularia – Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, Peru, Bolivia
- Avicularia caei – Brazil
- Avicularia glauca – Panama
- Avicularia hirschii – Ecuador, Peru, Brazil
- Avicularia juruensis – Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil
- Avicularia lynnae – Peru, Ecuador
- Avicularia merianae – Peru
- Avicularia minatrix – Venezuela, Brazil
- Avicularia purpurea – Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
- Avicularia rufa – Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil
- Avicularia taunayi – Brazil
- Avicularia variegata – Venezuela, Brazil