Greenbottle Blue Tarantula (Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens)

The Greenbottle tarantula is the only species of the genus Chromatopelma, mainly found in the Paraguana peninsula of Venezuela. It belongs to the Theraphosidae family which mostly comprises of large-sized, hairy spiders. Its unique coloration, which is also the reason behind its name, makes it one of the sought after species among tarantula hobbyists.

Scientific Classification

• Family: Theraphosidae
• Genus: Chromatopelma
• Scientific name: Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens

 

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: The females are larger with a leg span of about 6 inches (15.24 cm) while the males have 4 1/2 inches (11.43 cm) of leg span.

Color: Their magnificent and vibrant coloration is responsible for making them look immensely attractive.They have metallic blue legs, bright orange abdomen and a bluish-green carapace.

Eggs

Like most tarantula species, the eggs are small and round in shape, with the sac containing about 100 of them.

Spiderlings

The juvenile spiders too have a brilliant hue, possessing pink legs, a dark-colored carapace as well as a dark belly striped in red.

The Web

They mostly make funnel-shaped webs in large amounts, not just in the wild but even when kept in captivity. The thick webs shield them from the extremities of the desert climate when thriving in the wild, also serving as a perfect trap for insects who enter it.

Is the Greenbottle Blue Tarantula Poisonous and Does it Bite

These docile creatures rarely show aggression or a tendency to bite. However, the greenbottle blue tarantulas are easily scared, and when under stress they move at a rapid speed which may result in self-injury.  If bitten their venom could cause slight irritation but are not known to be poisonous to humans.

Quick Facts

Other names	Orange Bottlebrush tarantula, Venezuelan Greenbottle Blue Tarantula
Lifespan	Males: 4 years Females: 12 to 14 years
Distribution	Paraguana peninsula and the Venezuelan shrubbery ranges
Habitat	Webbed burrows below tree roots and bushes in the dry and ragged scrublands of Venezuela
Diet	Crickets, scorpions, beetles, worms

Did You Know

• The greenbottle blue tarantula is an active species growing at a fast pace.
• They are voracious eaters and the young spiders often end up in consuming large chunks of food which are almost of their own size.
• These spiders are more suitable for living in warm and dry areas as living in moist conditions could cause the development of a patch on their lungs that might be fatal for them.
• Embrik Strand had first described it as Eurypelma cyaneopubescens in the year 1907 and then it was shifted to a separate genus, Delopelma developed in 1939 by Alexander Petrunkevitch. Finally, Gunter Schmidt considered it to be a part of the genus Chromatopelma in the year 1995.
• Its genus name Chromatopelma means beautiful blue color.
• They are often a great choice for pets but is only suitable for those who would not handle them much since the latter can get skittish at the slightest touch and fall, rupturing their abdomen, that may even prove fatal.

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