Cobalt blue tarantula (Cyriopagopus lividus) is native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, mostly found in Myanmar and over the border into Thailand. It is a species of tarantula which is in the family Theraphosidae. It was originally known as Haplopelma lividum. It was described by Smith in 1996. This tarantula is an Old World fossorial tarantula and like most Asian species of tarantula, the Cobalt Blue can be a very defensive tarantula.
Description
It may look dark brown or black at first, but in the light, its bright cobalt blue colored abdomen and legs become evident. The cobalt blue tarantula is a medium-sized tarantula with a leg span around 13 cm (5 in) and lives for about 15-18 years with males living only about 5 or 6 years.
It is distinguished by its light gray prosoma and opisthosoma, the latter of which may have darker gray chevrons, and by its iridescent blue legs. Males and females look the same until the ultimate (final) molt of the males. This is the period during which the male displays legginess and a light tan or bronze hue indicative of sexual dimorphism. Males also develop a palpal bulb on their tibial apophyses (mating hooks) and pedipalps. Eventually, the female outgrows the male. Being a fossorial species, the cobalt blue tarantula spends almost all of its time in its own deep burrows.
The tarantula’s venom contains glutamic acid at a concentration of 0.97%, though it is not strong enough to kill humans, but it can cause excruciating pain and severe stinging. Histamine and adenosine were detected at 0.14% and 0.10% with the polyamine spermine noted in trace amounts at 0.002% (Moore et al., 2009).
It is not advisable to touch or handle this pet tarantula as even baby cobalt blue tarantulas have been known to bite, and some people have experienced serious allergic reactions to the venom. The female is larger, more attractive, and has a longer lifespan than the male. Unfortunately, it is an extremely aggressive and fast spider, an expert escape artist with a painful, venomous bite.
This species is very popular among hobbyists because of its amazing blue coloration, but it also has a bad attitude and has been known to bite when threatened. The downside of this species is that it spends most of its time deep in its burrow, so you will usually only be able to see the front half of it. When it feels threatened, it will escalate from threat pose to attempting to bite, so heed their warnings and back off and give them space when necessary.
Scientific Name: Cyriopagopus lividus formerly Haploplema lividium
Common Name: Cobalt Blue Tarantula
Type: Terrestrial, Fossorial Obligate Burrower
Endemic Location: Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam
Body Length: 3.5” (9cm)
Diagonal Leg Span (DLS): 5” (13cm)
Growth Rate: Medium
Life Expectancy: Females 15-18 years / Males 5-6 years
Habitant (Housing)
Cobalt blue tarantulas inhabit the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, where they construct deep burrows, and generally only leave them to find food. It usually lives in warm, damp burrows, so you should fill its home with 8 to 12 inches of a material like potting soil, peat moss, or coir (coco husk).
A screened-lid terrarium holding ten gallons should provide ample space for your tarantula. A few times a week, mist the house with a water bottle to keep it wet. A heating pad under the tank will make the tarantula happier if the indoor temperature is below 75°F/28.9°C. Once a tarantula reaches a size of three inches across (including the legs), it prefers a shallow bowl of water and an above-ground hiding place. They enjoy spinning enormous webs and dislike bright lights, which might make it difficult to notice them at times. However, never reach inside the tank.
It’s critical to remove any uneaten or dead prey or prey components as soon as possible to prevent mold and mite problems due to the species’ moisture requirements and the damp substrate in the cage. Routinely spot clean the enclosure to get rid of any organic matter, molts, or bollosues that could attract mites. While it is nearly impossible to completely eradicate mites from a tropical enclosure—not all mites are harmful—you can add springtails to the enclosure in the event that the mite population explodes. The springtails will outcompete the mites for the food source and ultimately drive them out.
Cobalt Blue Tarantula as Pets
Although it is a swift and protective tarantula with strong venom, the cobalt blue tarantula is a staple in the pet trade. This species can cause excruciating muscle cramps and inflammation when it bites.
If your spider needs to be moved, carefully push it (with a stick or tongs) into a box that has a few tiny air holes cut into it. Then, shut the lid and transport the spider that way, taking great care to keep it from escaping.
In the unlikely event that it escapes and hits the ground, shock will probably kill it.
Feeding
Cobalt Blues may survive well on a few live crickets, cockroaches, or other large insects every week. Mealworms and young mice are among their other favorite foods. For the obvious reasons stated previously, remove any dead or uneaten food with tongs.
Molting of Cobalt Blue Tarantula
When tarantulas become bigger, they molt, thus it’s likely molting if you observe your spider lying on its back. When molting, avoid attempting to feed your tarantulas as the intended meal may kill and consume them instead! When it’s finished molting, the exoskeleton—which resembles a snake shedding its skin—will be visible in the aquarium, resembling another spider.
Your tarantula’s exoskeleton will be pale and soft for a few days; thus, avoid handling or feeding it until its color returns to normal to avoid damaging the freshly-molted spiders.
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