Essential Facts About the Green Bottle Blue Tarantula
The green bottle blue tarantula is simultaneously one of the most gorgeous and the most beginner-friendly spider pets out there. These captivating beauties have a metallic blue or blue-green body and legs as well as a bright orange abdomen. This contrast is so stark that it almost seems unnatural but, yet, these gorgeous spiders are very much real.
Is the green bottle blue tarantula right for you, however? We’ll quickly go over the 23 crucial things to know about the green bottle blue tarantula. By the end of the text, you should know every key point you need to know about these fascinating spiders.
13 things to consider before buying a Green Bottle Blue Tarantula pet
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The natural habitat of the green bottle blue tarantula is the Paraguana Penninsula in Venezuela. This makes this spider a type of “New World tarantula”, meaning that it’s native to the Western hemisphere. That’s important because New World tarantulas are much less venomous and more docile than Old World tarantulas. In other words – they are great pets.
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The scientific name of the green bottle blue tarantula is Chromatopelma cyaneopubescence. This is a simple reference to their striking colors.
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Looking at it, you’d expect the green bottle blue tarantula to be more expensive than it actually is but it tends to cost somewhere between $50 and $300. The price difference is usually in reference to the age of the spider – young slings tend to cost much less than older tarantulas. The exact vendor will matter in the price too. Keep in mind that these tarantulas can be a bit difficult to find, however.
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Like other tarantulas, green bottle blues need to go through molting as they grow. This seasonal change of their exoskeleton will happen about once per month when they are young and once a year when they are adults. The molting process can take anywhere between an hour and several days. The health of the spider will play a role in the speed of the process but so will chance.
Before the tarantula starts molting she will always:
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Stop eating
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Enlarge her abdomen
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Become less active and mostly just hide in her burrow.
Do not try to feed or bother your tarantula as she’s molting. Only feed her a couple of days after molting and clean her enclosure after that.
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How big is this spider? Baby green bottle blues will usually be around 1.5 inches or 3.8 cm. Adults grow up to 4.5 to 6 inches (10-11.5 cm) in length and have a 6 inch / 15 cm leg span.
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How hostile are these spiders, exactly? Not at all, really. Like most other New World tarantulas, the green bottle blue is very docile and non-aggressive toward humans. When threatened, this spider’s immediate reaction is to hide, not to attack.
If you’ve forced retaliation from your green bottle blue then you’ve probably done much more than just threaten her – you’ve made her feel as if she had no choice but to counterattack. -
The urticating hairs on the back and body of the green bottle blue are the first of her two means of attack. Tarantulas of all species have such hairs which they can fling at their opponents to sting them from a distance. These hairs are tiny, sharp, and slightly venomous but that venom isn’t dangerous to humans. Not in most cases anyway.
When striking the skin, these urticating hairs can cause mild itching, slight pain, and a bit of swelling. They are problematic if they get in your eyes, mouth, or nose, however. So, it’s important that you never get your tarantula too close to your face. The other safety tip is to always wash your hands after handling your green bottle blue or touching the interior of her enclosure. -
The venom of the tarantula is her second weapon. Unlike her hairs which are strictly a defense mechanism, her venomous fangs are used both for offense and defense. These are also not too venomous and also can’t really get into your eyes. This venom is only dangerous if you’re allergic to it. The rule of thumb is to not get or touch a tarantula if you’re allergic to bees.
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So, this tarantula is indeed beginner-safe? Yes – with just a light venom and a mild manner, this tarantula is excellent for beginners.
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The lifespan of the green bottle blue is also pretty nice for a pet. Females tend to live between 12 and 14 years and males – between 8 and 10 years. That’s why we usually talk about female tarantulas as they are more preferred as pets. That being said, male green bottle blues have a longer lifespan than males of other species.
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Looking after more than one tarantula in the same enclosure usually doesn’t work. If the enclosure is large enough and you keep them well-fed they might ignore each other for a while. However, chances are that one tarantula will eat the other when given the opportunity (usually during the other’s molting period).
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Mating these spiders is difficult for the same reasons – the female tends to eat the male. She also often eats her own egg sack. Mating is possible but you’ll need to protect the male and be very patient. If you do want to try, here’s a starter video guide.
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So, is the green bottle blue the right pet for you? If you want a tarantula this is one of the best options out there. It’s all a matter of whether you want an 8-legged arachnid staring at you from a glass case at home.
6 tips for how to prepare for a Green Bottle Blue Tarantula pet
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A green bottle blue’s tank should be at least several gallons with 18x18x18 inches (45x45x45 cm) dimensions being advisable. Glass is the best option but acrylic works too.
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Tarantulas love to explore their habitats and are known as escape artists. So, you should always seal your spider’s habitat properly, allowing only for tiny ventilation holes.
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The substrate in your tarantula’s tank should take approximately 1/3 or half of it. The bare minimum is 4 inches to allow for burrowing. We recommend a combination of dirt, vermiculite, and coconut husks.
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Green bottle blues are semi-arboreal so their environment should reflect that. Put in some branches and rocks to give your tarantula something to climb. Feel free to plant any terrarium-friendly plants too, just don’t go overboard with them. You can add woodchips at the bottom to give your spider hideouts as they burrow.
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The temperature in your tarantula’s terrarium should be kept between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit (24-27o C). This can be done with ceramic pads, mats, or a heating bulb. The pads/mats can either be placed under the substrate or on the side of the tank. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature.
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Humidity is also key. Green bottle blues do best between 60 and 70%. Place a water bowl to keep the humidity up and either mist with water when it’s too dry or ventilate when it’s too moist. Use a hygrometer to keep an eye on the precise humidity levels.
4 things for successfully keeping a Green Bottle Blue Tarantula pet
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You should feed your green bottle blue live prey such as crickets, roaches, locusts, mealworms, and even smaller spiders and lizards. Roaches, worms, and crickets should be the usual prey and neither one of them should be bigger than the tarantula’s abdomen. Also, never feed your tarantula before, during, or soon after molting. 1-2 feeding times per week are usually ok.
Also, use either store-bought or captive-bred prey as wild insects can have pesticides on them. Here’s a neat video of a tarantula being fed. -
Your tarantula’s water bowl shouldn’t be too deep, especially for a young spider – you don’t want your pet to drown. You should also change the spider’s water every day.
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Health-wise, green bottle blues are quite well. The only problems you can expect (other than physical harm) are problems molting or an oral infection such as nematodes. Bring your tarantula to the vet immediately if you notice a white coloring around the mouth or a clear and obvious inability to molt. Naturally, you should find a vet with spider experience before even getting a tarantula.
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Handling a green bottle blue is easier than most other tarantulas but you should still be careful. The safest way is to grab the middle of her back between the second and third pair of legs. Use just your thumb and index finger – the tarantula will freeze and wait to be dropped on solid ground again. Once you’ve gained your tarantula’s trust you can gently nudge her onto your open palm too.
Green bottle blue tarantulas do sound interesting, don’t they? Hopefully, this quick guide on the basics will be a good starting point for your life with this pet. But, if you think we’ve missed something crucial or you have more questions, do let us know!
