What Do Gooty Sapphire Tarantulas Look Like?
Gooty Sapphire Tarantulas are most recognized by their blue-colored bodies and bright yellow spots which cover their midsection.
Upon close inspection, you may also notice their unique metallic-looking hairs.
Generally, Poecilotheria metallica grows to medium size, measuring between 4.7-6 inches for males and 5.5-8 inches for females.
Their stout legs and powerful body allow them to traverse across sand, rocks, and soil.
On the underside of their abdomens, they have two long, curved fangs.
Although these can weather small prey, it is generally used for defensive purposes.
The Peacock Tarantula can also have an intimidating presence when threatened, flicking their short claws and urticating hairs out at attackers.
Benefits Of Using Gooty Sapphire Tarantulas
The Gooty Sapphire Tarantula can be a great addition to any vivarium.
Not only can they live happily alongside other inhabitants, but their colorful bodies and impressive web-building techniques can add a beautiful and fascinating element to a habitat.
Their attractive colorations can be somewhat intimidating to potential predators, while their climbing and jumping abilities can provide a unique and interesting look.
With proper care and setting, Poecilotheria metallica can be a happily thriving, and enjoyable addition to your enclosure.
Additionally, as they require much less space than other inhabitants, they can be a wonderful addition to a smaller setup.
Gooty Sapphire Tarantula Facts
Gooty Sapphire Tarantulas are a vibrant and active species of spider found in India.
Poecilotheria metallica is considered to be a calm species, however, they can be skittish when handled.
Breeding is possible when the female reaches maturity and usually lays a few egg sacs.
Habitat
Poecilotheria metallica is native to the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
They are most commonly found in forests on decaying trees, stumps, or logs.
It has also been spotted in homes, gardens, and other human-made structures in and around human settlements.
Replicate their natural habitat perfectly with our bioactive species-specific soil mixes, designed to provide the ideal moisture and organic content for your spiders.
Diet
In their natural habitat, these spiders feed mostly on other invertebrates such as caterpillars, small beetle larvae, and cockroaches.
They are also known to scavenge for dead insects or small mammals.
To obtain the nutrition they need, Gooty Sapphire Tarantulas hunt at night and rely on their excellent eyesight and ability to detect vibrations on the ground.
Temperament
When first encountering Poecilotheria metallica, it is wise to remember that they are wild animals and can be unpredictable.
However, with regular handling and adequate care, they can become accustomed to humans and even become quite docile.
Generally, Gooty Sapphire Tarantulas will only bite when they feel threatened or are mishandled.
They are solitary creatures, so they should never be housed with other tarantulas or equally valued animals.
Lifespan
The lifespan of Gooty Sapphire Tarantulas varies depending on sex.
The female of the species lives up to 11-12 years while the males typically live up to 3-4 years.
This species of tarantula goes through multiple stages of growth – egg, spiderling, sub-adult, and adult – before reaching maturity.
The egg stage can last a few weeks until the spiderling emerges. Spiderlings usually take a few months to reach the sub-adult stage.
Sub-adults take 6-10 months to reach sexual maturity and become viable for reproduction.
Breeding
Poecilotheria metallica typically mate during the spring, although they can also mate in the winter under the right conditions.
It is good to remember that they come from tropical habitats and require high temperatures.
When they are ready to mate, the female will wait for a male to appear.
The male will approach the female to begin courtship rituals, such as vibrating and drumming the ground near the female.
After a successful courtship, the male will insert his pedipalps into the female’s reproductive orifice.
The male Peacock Tarantula then releases a sperm packet which is received by the female.
Once the mating process is complete, the female will lay her eggs – usually about 100 of them.
She will carefully protect the eggs and tend to them until they hatch.
The eggs will hatch anywhere from six to twelve weeks after mating, depending on the environment.
Upon hatching, the baby spiders will stay with the mother for several days or weeks while they molt, until they are large enough to venture out on their own.
Where To Find Gooty Sapphire Tarantulas
When searching for a Gooty Sapphire Tarantula in the wild, it’s best to look in areas of dense foliage that have good moisture levels.
Finding them for sale is quite easy. There are numerous online stores and pet shops that offer them.
They are generally more expensive than other species of tarantulas due to their rarity and the difficulty of shipping them, but prices may vary depending on where you buy them.
It’s also good practice to buy from reputable sources and to confirm that the P. metallica you purchase is healthy.
Many online sellers provide detailed photos and health histories of their specimens.
