Home / Tarantulas / Sazima’s Tarantula (Pterinopelma sazimai)

Sazima’s Tarantula (Pterinopelma sazimai)

Sazima’s tarantula, or the Brazilian Blue, as alternately called, is endemic to Chapada Diamantina National Park of Brazil. The species remains endangered at present, the main reasons being habitat loss and illegal pet trade.

Scientific Classification

Sazimas Tarantula

 

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: They are around 6 inches (15.24 cm) long.

Color: They have a iridescent blue body that gives them their name.

Other Characteristic Features: The spider has urticating hair on the abdomen

Eggs

The female spider produces egg sacs post mating to release their eggs into them.

Spiderlings

They have a pale blue coloration after hatching from the eggs.

The Web

In the wild, they create a thick web under branches, leaves, rocks, and trunks, mostly to protect themselves from harsh weather.

Are Sazima’s Tarantula Venomous

They are mildly venomous, but their degree of harm to humans remain unrecorded.

Sazima Blue Tarantula

Quick Facts

Other Names Brazilian blue tarantula
Distribution Brazil
Habitat Ecological islands
Diet Waxworms, super worms, mealworms, and crickets
Web Type Thick
ICUN Conservation Status Not listed

Did You Know

  • The name of the species honors, Brazilian zoologist, Dr. Ivan Sazima who collected the first samples of this species.
  • In 2012, it appeared in the Top 10 List of new species as prepared by the International Institute for Species Exploration (IISE).

Image Credits: Static.wixstatic.com, Photos.mongabay.com

Sazima’s tarantula, or the Brazilian Blue, as alternately called, is endemic to Chapada Diamantina National Park of Brazil. The species remains endangered at present, the main reasons being habitat loss and illegal pet trade.

Sazimas Tarantula

 

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: They are around 6 inches (15.24 cm) long.

Color: They have a iridescent blue body that gives them their name.

Other Characteristic Features: The spider has urticating hair on the abdomen

Eggs

The female spider produces egg sacs post mating to release their eggs into them.

Spiderlings

They have a pale blue coloration after hatching from the eggs.

The Web

In the wild, they create a thick web under branches, leaves, rocks, and trunks, mostly to protect themselves from harsh weather.

Are Sazima’s Tarantula Venomous

They are mildly venomous, but their degree of harm to humans remain unrecorded.

Sazima Blue Tarantula

Quick Facts

Other Names Brazilian blue tarantula
Distribution Brazil
Habitat Ecological islands
Diet Waxworms, super worms, mealworms, and crickets
Web Type Thick
ICUN Conservation Status Not listed

Did You Know

  • The name of the species honors, Brazilian zoologist, Dr. Ivan Sazima who collected the first samples of this species.
  • In 2012, it appeared in the Top 10 List of new species as prepared by the International Institute for Species Exploration (IISE).

Image Credits: Static.wixstatic.com, Photos.mongabay.com