Origin And Natural Habitat
The island of Martinique in the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean is the exclusive home of Caribena versicolor — an island endemic found nowhere else in the wild, with populations also documented in Dominica and Guadeloupe, the neighbouring islands of the Lesser Antilles chain. Martinique is a small, mountainous French Caribbean island of extraordinary ecological richness, where the northern volcanic peaks receive enormous annual rainfall and the lush wet forest on those slopes represents one of the most humid and consistently warm habitats occupied by any tarantula species. The average daily temperature on Martinique is a near-constant 80 to 82°F with very high humidity throughout the year — genuinely tropical island conditions that barely vary between the nominal wet and dry seasons and produce the warm, constantly humid arboreal environment that C. versicolor evolved in.
The species inhabits trees and shrubs across Martinique, living in bark crevices, hollow branches, and the dense vegetation of the forest canopy and even — famously — in the rafters and eaves of buildings in inhabited areas, suggesting a degree of habitat flexibility that has helped the species persist alongside human development on the small island. The wild populations still face threats from habitat loss and collection, which makes the extraordinary captive breeding success of this species in the hobby a genuine conservation contribution rather than simply a commercial activity.
Scientific Classification
The taxonomic journey of C. versicolor reflects the broader reorganisation of the Avicularia complex that characterised the decade leading up to the 2017 revision by Fukushima and Bertani. Originally described as Aranea hirtipes by Fabricius in 1787 — one of the earliest Caribbean spider descriptions in the scientific literature — and subsequently moved through Mygale versicolor and Avicularia versicolor before its current placement, the 2017 revision placed it in the newly erected genus Caribena alongside the Puerto Rican Pinktoe (C. laeta) based on distinct morphological traits separating the two Caribbean species from mainland Avicularia. The species name versicolor is Latin for “many coloured” — one of the more accurately prophetic species names in the hobby, given the extraordinary colour transformation documented across the developmental stages. The World Spider Catalog and iNaturalist confirm C. versicolor (Walckenaer, 1837) as the current valid name. Full classification: Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Arthropoda, Class Arachnida, Order Araneae, Infraorder Mygalomorphae, Family Theraphosidae, Subfamily Aviculariinae, Genus Caribena, Species C. versicolor (Walckenaer, 1837).
Species Overview
Few tarantulas in the entire hobby generate the kind of genuine, broad enthusiasm that Caribena versicolor does — one of the most popular arboreal tarantulas available, one of the prettiest tarantulas in the hobby by consistent keeper consensus, and a species that every hobbyist should have in their collection according to experienced keepers who have worked across the full range of available species. The colour transformation from neon blue spiderling to multicoloured adult is without parallel in any terrestrial species and arguably in any tarantula at all, and the full adult colouration — emerald green carapace, deep purple and red abdomen, pink toes — is the kind of visual impact that photographs can suggest but never fully convey. It was historically considered a difficult species to keep due to a phenomenon called Sudden Avic Death Syndrome — unexplained sudden death in apparently healthy specimens — but recent understanding has identified the real culprit as poor ventilation combined with overly moist stagnant air rather than any inherent fragility, and keepers who understand and address the ventilation requirement find it genuinely hardy and rewarding.
Appearance And Size
The colour transformation is the heart of this species’ appeal and deserves the space to describe it properly. Spiderlings emerge as vibrant metallic blue, fuzzy slings — an extraordinarily vivid electric blue that covers the entire body and makes even a tiny sling of half an inch one of the most striking invertebrates imaginable. Through successive moults the blue of the body gradually shifts — the carapace developing the metallic green sheen of the adult while the abdomen moves through pink and red phases toward the deep purple-red of a settled adult. Adult colouration combines emerald green carapace iridescence, deep purple and red abdominal tones, and the characteristic pink toes that give the genus its name and the species its common name — a three-colour palette of green, purple, and pink that is genuinely unlike any other tarantula in the hobby. The dense, fluffy setae of the Caribena genus give every stage of the spider’s development the velvety, almost impossibly soft-looking quality that makes them so appealing to observe.
Adult legspan reaches approximately 5 to 6 inches, with some large females approaching 6 inches. Female lifespan reaches approximately 12 years and males 3 to 4 years. Growth rate is medium — faster than most Brachypelma relatives and producing the colour transformation at an engaging developmental pace.
Housing
A tall, front-opening, cross-ventilated arboreal enclosure is the essential format — and the cross-ventilation is not optional or adjustable but genuinely critical for keeping this species alive and healthy. A 7 by 7 by 11 inch enclosure suits juveniles and adults up to about 5.25 inches, with an 8 by 8 by 14 inch enclosure appropriate for large adult females above that size. The lid must latch securely — this is a fast, active species and any gap is a genuine escape opportunity. Cross-ventilation through lower side openings and a top vent moves humid air through the enclosure rather than allowing it to accumulate — this is the single most important structural feature of the enclosure and the one that has historically been most often compromised by keepers who did not understand that stagnant humid air rather than low humidity is the cause of sudden death in this genus. Slings require particularly careful ventilation management — small specimens are more vulnerable to the stagnant air issue than large adults and need cross-ventilated sling containers rather than sealed humid cups. Our best tarantula enclosure guide covers tall arboreal formats with appropriate ventilation and security.
Enclosure’s Decorations
A vertically oriented piece of cork bark positioned in the upper third of the enclosure is the most important single decoration — the spider will build its silk tube retreat from this anchor point outward, expanding the web architecture progressively into a complex structure that makes the enclosure visually impressive over time. Broad-leafed fake plants at height give additional webbing anchor points and leaf surfaces that the spider incorporates into its retreat. A shallow water dish at substrate level provides hydration and passive humidity. The enclosure of a settled adult C. versicolor — with its elaborate silk architecture, the brilliant green of the adult carapace visible at the retreat entrance, and the pink toes catching the light — is one of the genuinely spectacular displays available in the hobby. Our best tarantula cork bark and best tarantula fake plants guides cover appropriate structures for Caribena versicolor arboreal configurations.
Substrate
One to two inches of coconut coir, peat moss, vermiculite, or organic soil blend at the base of the enclosure, maintained lightly damp to contribute passive humidity. The substrate should be damp but not soaking — wet, soggy substrate combined with inadequate ventilation is the combination that has killed the most C. versicolor in the hobby. The substrate serves as a humidity management layer rather than a burrowing medium, and the cross-ventilation must be working correctly to move moisture upward through the enclosure without allowing it to stagnate at lower levels. Our best tarantula substrate guide covers lightly moisture-retaining blends appropriate for Caribbean arboreal Caribena.
Water And Humidity
A shallow water dish at substrate level, refreshed every two to three days, combined with periodic light misting of the enclosure walls. Arboreal species in this genus prefer to drink droplets from the enclosure walls following misting rather than drinking from a standing water dish, making wall misting genuinely important for hydration rather than purely for humidity. Humidity of 70 to 80 percent with excellent cross-ventilation is the target — the moist but breezy conditions of the Martinique forest canopy rather than the stagnant humid air of an enclosed container. The northern part of Martinique where this species occurs receives frequent and plentiful rainfall — the humidity is genuinely high, but the canopy environment is also genuinely breezy. A hygrometer confirms actual conditions, and a fine-mist misting bottle provides the wall droplets the spider drinks from.
Heating And Temperature
The average daily temperature on Martinique is 80 to 82°F year-round — consistently warm with minimal seasonal variation. A captive range of 75 to 82°F suits this species, and most temperate indoor environments may need supplemental heat during cooler months to maintain the warmer end of this range. A side-mounted heat mat controlled by a thermostat handles periods when ambient temperatures drop below 72°F. Incandescent or halogen heat lights should not be used — they create the greenhouse effect of rapidly elevated heat and humidity in an enclosed space. A thermometer at enclosure level confirms actual conditions at the spider’s position.
Diet And Nutrition
Crickets, dubia roaches, and other appropriately sized invertebrates every seven to ten days for adults, with juveniles every five to seven days. The medium growth rate means consistent feeding through the juvenile phase delivers the colour transformation at a rewarding pace — watching the blue of a young sling shift through its intermediate stages toward the adult green and purple is one of the hobby’s genuinely engaging long-term experiences. Food should be offered near the retreat entrance in the evening. Remove uneaten prey within 24 hours. Our best tarantula food guide covers feeder options and gut loading relevant to a medium-sized, moderately fast-growing Caribbean arboreal species.
Compatibility
Solitary only. Captive breeding success is strong for this species and represents a genuine conservation contribution given the wild population pressures from habitat loss and historic collection. Males mature within 2 to 4 years and should be introduced promptly once mature given their short post-maturity lifespan. A well-fed female and supervised introduction are essential.
Behavior And Temperament
Docile yet skittish and very fast — the Caribena character in its fullest expression. When disturbed, the spider may flee, flick the urticating hairs that are present though uncommonly deployed, or deploy the fecal projectile defence of the genus with what is genuinely remarkable range and accuracy. The species is more curious than aggressive, frequently seen exploring its enclosure or rebuilding its web structures — an active, visually engaging occupant of any well-configured tall arboreal enclosure. The jumping tendency that characterises the genus is meaningful and real — the enclosure lid must always be secured before any maintenance and the spider’s position must be known before the lid is opened.
Handling
Possible for settled adults given the docile overall temperament, with the floor-level protocol and the understanding that this species is fast and may jump unexpectedly. Many keepers choose never to handle this species and are entirely satisfied with the display experience it provides — the argument for handling a spider that produces this much visual impact through its enclosure glass is not especially compelling. Venom is medically insignificant to healthy humans.
Health And Lifespan
Females live approximately 12 years in captivity. Males live 3 to 4 years. The species is genuinely hardy within appropriate well-ventilated, warm, humid Martinique island conditions — the fragile reputation is a legacy of inadequate ventilation understanding rather than any inherent weakness in the species. A settled adult in a correctly configured enclosure is reliable, active, and visually rewarding year after year. Wild population pressures from habitat loss and collection make every captive breeding pairing genuinely meaningful. Our tarantula dehydration article covers the opposite concern for any Caribena without consistent wall misting and appropriate enclosure humidity.
Price
One of the most widely available arboreal tarantulas in the hobby given the strong captive breeding volume this species has established over decades. Slings typically sell for $40 to $70 USD, with the price reflecting both the visual appeal and the moderate care requirements. Juveniles range from $60 to $120. Confirmed adult females command $100 to $200 depending on size and source. The wide availability of captive-bred stock makes sourcing straightforward from multiple specialist vendors. Source captive-bred specimens only — wild populations face genuine pressure, and the captive breeding success of this species means there is no justification for wild-sourced specimens. Everything needed to set up a correct arboreal enclosure for this extraordinary Caribbean species is on our best tarantula products page.