Brazilian Blue Tarantula

Looks how to spot one

exoskeleton with urticating hairs

The body is covered in a hard exoskeleton. The legs and carapace shine with a brilliant metallic blue, while the abdomen is clothed in reddish to mahogany hairs. As a New World tarantula, it has urticating hairs on the abdomen that it can kick as a defence.14

Personality what they are like

This tarantula is generally calm and docile, often retreating rather than showing aggression. It rarely kicks urticating hairs or strikes a threat pose, though individuals can be skittish and quick to bolt when startled. Handling is not recommended, but it is considered one of the least threatening species to keep.35

Daily activity how busy a day looks

It is a nocturnal ambush predator that spends much of the day hidden in its burrow or retreat. At night it may roam the enclosure. It does not need exercise beyond the space to move and burrow naturally.13

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Minimal grooming is needed. The enclosure should be spot-cleaned of uneaten prey and waste. A shallow water dish must be kept clean and refilled regularly. Moulting tarantulas should be left completely undisturbed.43

Home where they are happiest

A terrestrial enclosure that is wider than tall, with at least 15 cm of substrate for burrowing. Coconut coir works well. Provide a hide and a shallow water dish. Temperature should be 24-28°C with a possible night drop to 18-21°C. Humidity around 50-80% with good ventilation. A moisture gradient can be created by keeping one side slightly damp and the other dry.432

Food basics what goes in the bowl

In captivity it thrives on live insects such as crickets, dubia roaches and mealworms. Adults can eat about five adult crickets or two dubia roaches per week. Occasionally a pinky mouse can be offered as a treat. Spiderlings need smaller prey like pinhead crickets or fruit flies.34

Company who they like around

This is a solitary species that must be housed alone. It is not venomous in a medically significant way, but it does have urticating hairs that can irritate skin and eyes. It is not illegal to keep in most countries, but local laws should always be checked. It is not a pet for handling.21

The story where it all began

First collected in the 1970s and 1980s by Brazilian zoologist Ivan Sazima in the Bahia region, the species was formally described only in 2011. When news of this brilliant blue tarantula spread, it went viral and quickly became one of the most sought-after species in the hobby. Its natural home is the high-altitude campo rupestre of eastern Brazil, where it lives under rocks and in crevices.64

Recognised by the official bits

International Society of Arachnology

Described as a new species in 2011 by Bertani, Nagahama & Fukushima.6

Popularity Very popular among tarantula keepers due to its stunning colour and calm temperament.43