Meet the animal
Lasiodora parahybana is a Brazilian ground-dwelling tarantula with salmon-toned hairs. Birdeater is a common name, not a feeding instruction. Size and hair colour alone cannot verify every traded Lasiodora.
Before you choose one
Plan for fast growth and a potentially very large female. Keep one observation animal and arrange enough adult space and safe servicing reach. Avoid routine handling: irritating hairs, feeding movement and falls create risks despite a calm appearance.
Set up its home
The proposed custom layout is 80 × 50 × 40 cm for an adult planning span above 25 cm. Confirm dimensions, load support and ventilation. Provide deep stable substrate, a large retreat and free drop no more than roughly a leg span. Use secure perforated ventilation rather than exposed wire.
Temperature and safe heating
Firsthand guidance describes room conditions around 20–24°C. Check winter and summer extremes and use controlled room warmth if needed. Do not heat the entire base beneath burrowing substrate or create an intense reptile basking spot. Retain a cooler retreat.
Daylight, shade and UV
Use ordinary ambient daylight, shaded shelter and dark nights. The guidance used here does not establish a UVB requirement or a numerical target for this species. Observation lighting should not add unwanted heat or remove dark choices.
Water, moisture and airflow
Keep part of the deeper substrate modestly moist while the surface can dry, with a stable accessible water dish. Adjust for stage without saturating everything. Check access through webbing and do not flood the retreat or mist the animal directly.
Food and nutrition
Offer suitable cultured insects in portions matched to the spider’s condition. Adults can need longer intervals than juveniles. Do not feed birds or routine rodents because of the common name. Use tools with safe reach for the large animal and remove live leftovers before moulting.
Behaviour and handling
Preserve the retreat and expect webbing and pre-moult fasting. Avoid chasing, hair provocation and hand restraint. Use a planned container transfer with experienced assistance if necessary. Never pull the spider out of a burrow.
Health and life stages
Track growth, abdomen condition, water, meals and moults. Injury, persistent weakness or failed moulting needs experienced invertebrate-veterinary support. A spider moulting on its back must not be turned over. Avoid household insecticides and improvised mite treatments.
Buying and keeping records
Choose documented captive-bred L. parahybana with current size and feeding history. Confirm adult maintenance logistics before buying a juvenile. Check current trade and movement rules; a product labelled for large spiders still needs assessment against this animal.
Your care routine
Prepare adult space, substrate support and safe servicing access before arrival. Check water and conditions regularly and remove remains. Leave the last meal and moult status with holiday instructions. Recheck security and tool reach as the spider grows.
YOUR CHECKLIST
0 of 9 ticked
Brazilian salmon pink birdeater — Lasiodora parahybana
Care hub: wildformexotics.co.uk/animals/salmon-pink-birdeater/
Ticks are kept only while this page is open. Print or download a copy before leaving. Completing the checklist does not establish that an animal is well or an installation is safe.
Use these reminders alongside the full guide. Adjust feeding and maintenance to your animal’s condition and measured enclosure conditions.
Sources
- Salmon pink birdeater firsthand husbandry (The Tarantula Collective, Richard Stewart)
- General tarantula care guide (The Spider Shop)
- UK species livestock listing (dated observation, not stock guarantee) (Repxotics)
- Guidance on section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (GOV.UK / Defra)
- Import of pet invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles: IIN (GOV.UK / APHA and Defra)
- Import or export endangered species: check if you need a CITES permit (GOV.UK / APHA and Defra)
Equipment checklist
Equipment examples for Brazilian salmon pink birdeater, grouped by care need. Read the checks before choosing. Shop links are Amazon affiliate links. Items without a verified Amazon match have no shop link.
Plan the whole setup: These examples cover only part of the setup. Meet every care need and test the finished enclosure before arrival. Suitable equipment you already own may meet the need; optional tools are labelled.
Check each item for your animal’s size and life stage, safe access, compatible controls and measured conditions. The list does not certify an installation.
Adult enclosure, substrate and shelter
Read the care guidance for this need
Also plan for: Confirm the proposed 80 x 50 x 40 cm custom build, load support and secure ventilation. Allow deep stable substrate, a large retreat and low unprotected fall height for this large spider. Add the substrate, hides, cover and secure supports described in the care guide. The enclosure alone does not provide them.
Temperature and safe heating
Read the care guidance for this need
Exo Terra Digital Thermometer
Model: PT2472
Records minimum and maximum air temperatures near a shelter your animal uses, to help you check the temperature plan.
Fit check: The remote probe measures air at one location. Keep it away from direct lamp heat, secure it safely and keep the display outside. Use separate probes for warm and cool areas where needed. Minimum/maximum readings help track changes; this device does not measure surfaces or control heating. Use a water-rated thermometer for submerged readings.
Lighting, shade and UV
Read the care guidance for this need
Existing lighting may already provide a suitable day-night cycle. If you need extra lighting, use a switch or timer confirmed as compatible with its exact load, including any UVB ballast.
Water, humidity and ventilation
Read the care guidance for this need
Exo Terra Water Dish Small
Model: PT2801
Provides accessible drinking water for a suitably sized established spider without forcing high enclosure humidity.
Fit check: PT2801 measures 5.5 × 6.5 × 3 cm externally. Check the usable basin, stability, safe water depth and easy entry and exit for your animal. Outside measurements do not establish a soaking fit. Clean and refresh water at least daily and whenever soiled. This is a small drinking dish, not an adult snake, dragon, frog or tortoise basin. Tiny spiderlings may need a smaller receptacle.
Exo Terra Digital Hygrometer
Model: PT2477
Optional air-humidity monitor
Tracks the air humidity cycle near an occupied area.
Fit check: Place the remote humidity sensor inside the enclosure, away from direct heat. The reading describes air at that point, so record its position and check other areas where needed. Inspect the substrate and damp retreats directly, and keep ventilation clear. A humidity reading cannot show whether an animal has drinking water.
Also plan for: Provide the drinking water, damp retreats or safe water area described in the care guide. A sprayer and humidity gauge cannot provide these on their own.
Feeding and nutrition
Read the care guidance for this need
Also plan for: Offer suitable cultured insects in portions matched to the spider’s condition.
Equipment notes: Temperature and safe heating
EQUIPMENT TO CONSIDER
Exo Terra Digital Thermometer
Model PT2472 · Remote air probe and minimum/maximum memory; place away from direct lamp radiation. Check the supplier’s current price and availability, and confirm that the item suits your installation.
Records minimum and maximum air temperatures near a shelter your animal uses, to help you check the temperature plan.
Check before choosing: The remote probe measures air at one location. Keep it away from direct lamp heat, secure it safely and keep the display outside. Use separate probes for warm and cool areas where needed. Minimum/maximum readings help track changes; this device does not measure surfaces or control heating. Use a water-rated thermometer for submerged readings.
Equipment notes: Water, moisture and airflow
EQUIPMENT TO CONSIDER
Exo Terra Water Dish Small
Model PT2801 · Small drinker for appropriately sized animals; not a large soaking basin. Reduce water depth when needed. Check the supplier’s current price and availability, and confirm that the item suits your installation.
Provides accessible drinking water for a suitably sized established spider without forcing high enclosure humidity.
Check before choosing: PT2801 measures 5.5 × 6.5 × 3 cm externally. Check the usable basin, stability, safe water depth and easy entry and exit for your animal. Outside measurements do not establish a soaking fit. Clean and refresh water at least daily and whenever soiled. This is a small drinking dish, not an adult snake, dragon, frog or tortoise basin. Tiny spiderlings may need a smaller receptacle.
EQUIPMENT TO CONSIDER
Exo Terra Digital Hygrometer
Optional air-humidity monitor
Model PT2477 · Remote humidity probe; readings describe air at the probe, not substrate moisture. Check the supplier’s current price and availability, and confirm that the item suits your installation.
Tracks the air humidity cycle near an occupied area.
Check before choosing: Place the remote humidity sensor inside the enclosure, away from direct heat. The reading describes air at that point, so record its position and check other areas where needed. Inspect the substrate and damp retreats directly, and keep ventilation clear. A humidity reading cannot show whether an animal has drinking water.