Greenbottle blue tarantula
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| Greenbottle blue tarantula | |
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| Genus: | Chromatopelma Schmidt, 1995
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| Species: | cyaneopubescens
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| Binomial name | |
| Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens (Strand, 1907)
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| Diversity | |
| 1 species | |
The Greenbottle blue Tarantula (Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens), a native of the Paraguaná peninsula, Venezuela, has some of the most dramatic colouring of any spider species. Adult greenbottles have metallic blue legs, a blue-green carapace and a vibrant orange abdomen.
They are very active, fast-growing and particularly attractive to tarantula hobbyists.
Natural habitat
These tarantulas live in webbed burrows under bushes and tree roots in desert areas of northern Venezuela, in Paraguana. The entrance is often extended with webbing, sometimes resembling a tunnel. These webs may protect the entrance from the harsh desert climate, also acting as a trap for insects. They can also be found near the city of Punto Fijo in towns and rural places.
Behavior
In captivity, this tarantula regularly renews the webbing of its burrow, commonly filling the entire container. It feeds frequently and is a fast-grower. While many are skittish and nervous, some individuals are calm and docile, though running very quickly when disturbed. For this reason it is not recommended for handling, as a fall may be more likely if it were startled compared to other slower tarantula species. Some, when disturbed, are very possessive and show threat displays guarding their burrows. These species are voracious feeders and young spiders will even take food as big as themselves, this makes them fun to observe and makes it an ideal beginner tarantula.
Classification
The species was originally described as an Eurypelma in 1907, and was moved to the newly named genus Delopelma by Petrunkevitch in 1939. Both names were later discontinued.