Gooty Sapphire Ornamental Tree Spider
Poecilotheria metallica
Gooty sapphire ornamental tarantola. A critically endangered arboreal species from India, famous for its striking metallic blue coloration, warning yellow patterns, lightning speed, and potent venom.
Ambiente
Terrestre
Umidade
65 - 75 %
Temperatura diurna
21 - 28 °C
Temperatura noturna
21 - 24 °C
Descrição da espécie
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Critically endangered species endemic to a highly restricted forest area (less than 100 square kilometers) in Andhra Pradesh, India. It lives high in the hollows and crevices of old-growth trees, emerging only at night to hunt.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Renowned for its spectacular metallic blue and cobalt coloration, accented by intricate white, yellow, and black geometric patterns. Adult females are robust, reaching a leg span of 15-20 cm, and live up to 12 years. Males are smaller, duller, and live around 3-4 years. Being an Old World species, it lacks urticating hairs.
Behavior and Habits: Extremely fast, nocturnal, and photosensitive. It seeks shelter immediately when exposed to light. When threatened, its primary defense is flight. If cornered, it assumes a prominent threat posture, raising its front legs to display bright yellow warning colors. If provoked, it will bite defensively.
Morphology: Mature females are larger and bulkier than males. Males have a much smaller body size, longer legs relative to body size, and lose the intense blue coloration after their mature molt.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Terrarium Setup: Vertical enclosure is required (minimum 30x30x45 cm for an adult female). A tall cork bark tube or curved slab placed vertically is essential to provide a dark, secure hide where the tarantola will build its silken retreat. Ensure excellent cross-ventilation.
Lighting and Heating: Maintain daytime temperatures of 24-28°C with a nighttime drop to 20-22°C. Avoid direct light or heating lamps, as they stress this nocturnal species.
Humidity and Hydration: Keep relative humidity around 70-80%. The substrate (5 cm of coco fiber or peat) should be kept slightly damp by watering one corner. Provide a shallow water dish at the base of the enclosure.
Feeding and Supplementation: Active predator. Feed grills, roaches (Dubia or Red Runner), or locusts once or twice a week. Remove uneaten prey within 24 hours to prevent harm to the tarantola, especially during the molting process.
Compatibility: Strictly solitary. Do not house multiple specimens together, as this species is cannibalistic. Cohabitation with other species is not possible.
Health and Common Diseases: Vulnerable to dehydration, mold, and poor ventilation. Falls from height can rupture the abdomen, which is fatal. Its venom is medically significant, causing severe pain, cramping, and sweating; handling is strictly prohibited.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
Critically endangered species endemic to a highly restricted forest area (less than 100 square kilometers) in Andhra Pradesh, India. It lives high in the hollows and crevices of old-growth trees, emerging only at night to hunt.
Origem
América do NorteSul e Sudeste Asiático
Perfil de invertebrados terrestres
- Dieta
- Carnivore
- Poecilotheria metallica is a highly effective arboreal predator that feeds vigorously on flying and climbing insects like crickets, roaches, and moths. Their incredible speed allows them to snatch prey directly off the bark or leaves within their enclosure in the blink of an eye. Due to their fast metabolism, they typically require feeding more frequently than terrestrial species. Care must be taken to remove any uneaten live food quickly to avoid stressing the spider, particularly since arboreal enclosures can make uneaten prey hard to spot.
- Tamanho adulto
- 20 cm
- Estilo de vida/Microhabitat
- Arboreal
- Native to a highly fragmented, small forest reserve in India, the Gooty Sapphire Ornamental is a true arboreal species that lives its life high above the ground. In a captive environment, they require a tall, vertically oriented enclosure with ample cross-ventilation to prevent stagnant air. Tall pieces of cork bark, elevated water dishes, and fake foliage are necessary to create the secure, elevated hides they require. Maintaining appropriate humidity while ensuring excellent airflow is the key to successfully keeping this sensitive species.
- Ciclo de atividades
- Nocturnal
- This arboreal species is strictly nocturnal and highly photosensitive, meaning it will aggressively avoid bright lights and daytime activity. During the day, they remain securely tucked inside vertical bark tubes or deep within foliage hides to sleep and stay hidden. As the lights go out, they emerge onto the open surfaces of cork flats or glass to hunt, showcasing their brilliant sapphire coloration. Keepers hoping to observe them are best equipped with red or very dim blue night-lights to avoid spooking them.
- Socialidade
- Gregarious
- While some keepers have reported success with communal setups for this specific genus under strictly controlled conditions, the risk of cannibalism remains exceedingly high. It is strongly recommended to house them individually to guarantee their safety, especially considering the high value and critically endangered status of this species.
- Reprodução
- Oviparous
- Breeding Poecilotheria metallica is considered an advanced task, as males must be introduced carefully to aggressive and much larger females. The mating process occurs on the vertical surfaces of the enclosure, and quick intervention may be necessary to prevent the female from attacking the male post-insertion. A successful pairing will result in an egg sac produced several months later, which the female will guard aggressively in her arboreal hide. Spiderlings of this species are highly sought after in the hobby, making successful breeding a rewarding but challenging endeavor.
- Venenoso
- Yes
- Tolerância de tratamento
- Expert only
- Handling Poecilotheria metallica is completely unacceptable under any circumstances due to the combination of extreme speed and potent venom. A bite from this species can cause intense pain, muscle cramps, and systemic symptoms that can last for weeks or even months. Rehousing should only be done by highly experienced keepers using long tongs and the catch cup method, ensuring an escape-proof transfer environment. Attempting to handle this spider is a dangerous risk to both the keeper's health and the spider's life.
- Brumação
- Não obrigatório
- Poecilotheria metallica originates from a tropical monsoon climate in India and does not experience a brumation period in the wild or in captivity. They thrive in a stable, warm environment with temperatures ideally kept between 75-80°F (24-27°C) year-round. While they can tolerate slight nighttime drops, prolonged exposure to temperatures below 70°F (21°C) can be fatal to this delicate species. Maintaining proper temperature parameters without sacrificing necessary ventilation is critical during colder months.
- Muda
- Periodic
- As an arboreal species, Poecilotheria metallica will typically construct a secure, silken hammock or 'dirt curtain' inside its vertical hide to safely complete the molting process. They will shed their exoskeleton while suspended horizontally or upside down in this web structure. Increased humidity slightly leading up to a molt can assist them in shedding properly, but direct misting of the spider must be avoided. The brilliant blue colors and yellow banding are incredibly striking immediately following a fresh molt.
Galeria de imagens
Imagens licenciadas vinculadas à espécie ou, quando marcadas, ao táxon representativo mais próximo.
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