Common name: Gooty Sapphire Ornamental

Scientific name: Poecilotheria metallica

Experience level: Advanced

Appearance: Poecilotheria metallica tarantulas have a beautiful geometric body coloration, and is the only Poecilotheria (or Pokie) species that has blue hair. Interestingly enough, this blue hue comes through much more when a Poecilotheria metallica matures, as these tarantulas are much less chromatic when they are young (the blue usually starts showing around the size of 2 inches). Male Gooty Sapphire Ornamental tarantulas also tend to be more vibrant in color.

Origin: South Eastern India

Type: Old World, Arboreal

Size: 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) is the fully grown leg span.

Growth rate: Known to grow slower than the others in the Poecilotheria genus.

Life span: Females can live for up to 12 years. Males typically live 3-4 years.

Attitude: Gooty Sapphire Ornamental tarantulas are fast-moving, skittish, and photosensitive (they will run if light is shined upon them). They are generally reclusive and like to be left alone. When provoked, these tarantulas have been known to bite.

Defensive behavior: Poecilotheria metallica tarantulas are more likely to retreat to their den or flee than show a threat posture, however they can be quite fast and defensive. They have been known to bite if they feel threatened.

Bite danger: The bite of a Poecilotheria metallica tarantula is said to be “medically significant” and quite painful. A bite can cause excruciating pain, nausea, cramping. These symptoms can last for several weeks. While most bites from this species are “dry bites” (no venom), an adult tarantula of this species may have fangs 3/4″ in length and could cause significant damage. There has never been a recorded human death from its bite.

Handling: It is not recommended that you hold a Gooty Sapphire Ornamental tarantula without knowing the risks and being familiar with fast-moving species. This is not a tarantula that is recommended for beginners.

Diet/Nutrition: Poecilotheria metallica tarantulas can eat appropriately sized insects such a crickets and roaches. A small sling might eat half of a cricket where and adult might eat several large 1” crickets.

Housing:

• Substrate: Several inches of coconut fiber, peat moss, or other soil and kept damp
• Decor: An adult Poecilotheria metallica should be kept in a large, vertically oriented enclosure. Keep the enclosure dry and spray it lightly with water every few days. Cork bark and several live plants within the enclosure can be helpful – this species likes to climb. Slings can be kept in vertical drum vials.
• Humidity: The humidity should be 75 to 80%
• Ventilation: This species needs a tank with ventilation to ensure that the high humidity and light spraying doesn’t create a bacterial environment.
• Water: A small, shallow water dish should always be present. You can also mist the sides of the tank occasionally to provide another water source.

Temperature: The ideal temperature for Poecilotheria metallica tarantulas is high 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit.

Fun facts: P. metallica is classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to its occurrence in a single, small area in which habitat is rapidly degrading due to logging and firewood harvesting.

 

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