Introduction
Greenbottle Blue Tarantula (Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens) ranks among the most attractive tarantulas that people can own. This animal shows a fantasy-like appearance because its legs display a blue color combined with a greenish-blue carapace and an orange abdomen. This arachnid stands out because of its exceptional attractiveness together with its liveliness which has made it popular among pet owners.
Going ahead with owning a Greenbottle Blue Tarantula requires careful consideration.
Though it establishes itself well without daily caretaking, it remains active and escapes human touch easily. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Greenbottle Blue Tarantula care, environment needs and lifespan expectations, feeding habits, personality traits and additional important information.
The following guide will assist both beginners with their first spider or enthusiasts with their desired new addition by providing essential information about getting a Greenbottle Blue. Let’s dive in!
What Makes the Greenbottle Blue Tarantula Special?
The Greenbottle Blue Tarantula displays characteristics that separate it from all other spider species. When it comes to attractiveness in hobbyist tarantulas the Greenbottle Blue stands out because of its striking colorful appearance. Apart from its attractive appearance the Greenbottle Blue Tarantula holds multiple special characteristics.
It stands out because of these following characteristics:
- The color mix in this tarantula stands as an exclusive pattern found in only select spider species. Under illumination the blue legs glow brilliantly and the carapace reflects a greenish-blue color that produces a metallic appearance and the orange colored abdomen stands out as a fiery accent.
- The Greenbottle Blue stands out because it stays noticeable within its enclosure space unlike other tarantulas that stay hidden most of the time. Its webbing habits are extensive because it builds elaborate silk structures which cover its entire habitat area.
- This is one of the most suitable tarantulas for owners looking for an active display species because it stays visible in its enclosure. Unlike most burrowing tarantulas the Greenbottle Blue tarantula chooses to remain visible in its habitat throughout most of the day.
- The Greenbottle Blue demonstrates fast movements while avoiding aggression in its behavior. The Greenbottle Blue makes difficult handling possible because it tends to quickly escape without warning.
- Caring for a Greenbottle Blue requires moderate efforts due to its strong tolerance even though it needs specific environmental conditions. It will succeed if you offer a suitable home base combined with appropriate feeding methods.
- People who enjoy observing their tarantula explore and build webs in its surroundings should choose this species because it demands low maintenance efforts.
Summary Table
| GREEEN BOTTLE Blue Tarantula Care | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens |
| Lifespan | ♀ Up to 14 years ♂ 3-5 years |
| Size | 5-6 inches (leg span) |
| Temperament | Skittish, fast, but not aggressive |
| Handling | ❌ Not recommended Fragile, fast, and gets stressed easily |
| Diet | Crickets, roaches, mealworms (live prey only) |
| Feeding Schedule |
• Slings: Every 2-3 days • Juveniles: Every 4-5 days • Adults: Once a week |
| Environment |
• Temperature: 75-85°F (24-29°C) • Humidity: 50-60% • Enclosure: 10-gallon minimum |
| Beginner Friendly | ✅ Yes Best for those comfortable with fast species |
Greenbottle Blue Tarantula Habitat & Enclosure Setup
Since the Greenbottle Blue Tarantula is a burrowing tarantula, it needs an enclosure that will mimic its habitat but allow it enough space to move and construct its webs.
Natural Habitat
The Greenbottle Blue Tarantula originates from Venezuela, where it dwells in arid scrub habitats. Unlike other tarantulas, which do well in high-humidity forest environments, the Greenbottle Blue will fare well in low-humidity, semi-arid habitats.
In the wild, they dig under bushes and trees, creating complex web tunnel networks for stalking and defense.
Setting Up the Perfect Enclosure
To house your Greenbottle Blue Tarantula happily and healthily, follow these enclosure setup guidelines:
- ✔ Enclosure Size: A 10-gallon glass tank or a 12″x12″x12″ (30x30x30 cm) enclosure is appropriate for an adult. Tarantulas need little height since they don’t make much use of it, so width is more important than height.
- ✔ Ground Cover (Substrate): Dry coconut fiber, peat moss, or a soil-sand mixture can be utilized to create a natural substrate. This tarantula does not burrow, but slings (juveniles) may very lightly dig as juveniles.
✔ Humidity and Moisture:
- Ideal Humidity: 50-60% (Don’t overmoisturize!)
- How to Maintain It: A light misting once weekly is adequate. Too much humidity will cause health issues.
- Ventilation: Create good airflow so that mold growth is prevented.
✔ Temperature Needs:
- Keep the enclosure between 75-85°F (24-29°C)
- Avoid letting it dip below 70°F (21°C) for more than an hour or so
✔ Webbing Sites:
- Provide sticks, cork bark, or plants for webbing stimuli.
- They just love draping their enclosures in silk!
- ✔ Hide Spot: While they don’t really hide like burrowing animals do, a small hide spot (like a cork bark tunnel) can give them a sense of security.
- ✔ Water Bowl: A small, shallow water bowl must always be available.
Do They Burrow?
Slings (juveniles) will burrow but adults do not like to burrow and instead use webbing to protect themselves.
Terrestrial or arboreal?
The Greenbottle Blue Tarantula is mainly terrestrial, but it does have a strong webbing drive and so will construct silk burrows and webbed retreats.
Common Errors to Avoid
- ❌ Excessive humidity: This tarantula hates damp conditions and likes a drier environment. Over-humidification of the enclosure can cause health issues.
- ❌ Wrong substrate: Avoid substrates that are too wet or too loose. Dry, packed ground is best.
- ❌ Too much handling: These tarantulas are quick and nervous. Handling stresses them out or causes accidental harm.
Diet & Feeding: What Do Greenbottle Blue Tarantulas Eat?
Greenbottle Blue Tarantula (GBB) is an opportunistic feeder, therefore, it will eat whatever it can. In captivity, give your tarantula a well-balanced diet of live insects in order to maintain your pet tarantula’s health and activity.
Ideal Food Sources for Greenbottle Blue Tarantulas
✔ Crickets – The live food insect of choice, rich in protein and easy on the stomach. ✔ Dubia Roaches – Excellent cricket alternative with greater nutrition and fewer parasitic problems. ✔ Mealworms & Superworms – Feed every now and then but not daily due to high fat. ✔ Waxworms & Hornworms – High-fat food that must be used sparingly as an occasional feed. ✔ Locusts – A high-protein, healthy food for large tarantulas.
Feeding Schedule
- Spiderlings (slings): Feed pinhead crickets or fruit flies 2-3 times a week. Juveniles: Feed 4-5 times a week on crickets or small roaches.
- Adults: Feed once a week on large crickets, roaches, or mealworms.
- Pro Tip: Don’t feed anything bigger than the tarantula’s body. Better to feed the same size or one size down not to hurt it.
How to Feed Your Tarantula
- Place live prey in the enclosure and observe your tarantula catch it!
- If your GBB has not consumed prey within 24 hours, take away uneaten prey to avoid stressing the tarantula.
- Don’t overfeed; a bloated belly is a sure indicator of a fed tarantula but being overweight is damaging.
Can They Eat Fruits or Vegetables?
Not in your life! Tarantulas are strictly carnivorous and must never, ever be fed fruit, vegetables, or any type of plant food at all.
Lifespan: How Long Do Greenbottle Blue Tarantulas Live?
A Greenbottle Blue Tarantula can be a lifelong commitment, especially if you have a female.
Lifespan Differences
- ✔ Females: Live for a maximum of 14 years with good care.
- ✔ Males: Live only 3 to 5 years after they’ve reached maturity.
Interesting Fact: Males have shorter lives because, after reaching maturity, they are more concerned with finding a mate than living long.
Factors Affecting Lifespan
Healthy Diet: A healthy, well-fed tarantula enjoys a healthier and longer lifespan. Ideal Temperature and Humidity A Proper care environment prevents stress and disease. Secure Housing Good air circulation and mature habitat prevent injury and illness.
If you wish to keep it as a pet for an extended period of time, you may consider getting a female GBB since she can live well over a decade with proper care.
Are Greenbottle Blue Tarantulas Friendly?
The Greenbottle Blue Tarantula is not one that’s aggressive but is not exactly a tarantula you’d want to handle.
Temperament & Personality
- ✔ Skittish & Fast: Upon being frightened, your tarantula will flee very quickly instead of attacking.
- ✔ Not Easily Provoked: They are not easily threatened like some species and only show threat postures when very stressed.
- ✔ Prefer to Flee instead of Fight – This species would not bite but flee and hide if threatened.
Do You Handle a Greenbottle Blue Tarantula?
❌ No, it’s not advisable! ✔ They are too fragile and fast – Falling can be lethal. ✔ They like to remain in their cage and be gazed at from afar. ✔ Handling creates avoidable stress for the tarantula.
How Venomous Is a Greenbottle Blue Tarantula?
Greenbottle Blue Tarantula does have venom, but it is of no medical significance to humans.
What occurs when a Greenbottle Blue bites?
- ✔ Mild Pain: The bite feels like a bee sting.
- ✔ Swelling & Redness: There could be temporary redness and swelling.
- ✔ Rare Allergic Reactions: Some might experience worse reactions, but it is uncommon.
Does It Kick Hairs?
Yes, GBBs do urticating hairs, but they kick them very rarely unless under severe threat.
- ✔ Urticating hairs itch and irritate if they come in contact with skin or eyes.
- ✔ Don’t touch their belly to prevent kicking.
Greenbottle Blue Tarantula Price: How Much Do They Cost?
The price of a Greenbottle Blue Tarantula varies with its age and size.
- ✔ Slings (Spiderlings): ₹2,500 to ₹5,000 ($30-$60)
- ✔ Juveniles: ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 ($60-$120)
- ✔ Adult Females: ₹10,000 to ₹20,000 ($120-$250)
The females are expensive as they live longer!
Greenbottle Blue Tarantula Enclosure Setup
✔ Enclosure Size – 10-gallon tank or 12″x12″x12″
✔ Substrate – Dry coconut fiber or peat moss
✔ Humidity – 50-60% (Too much water harms them!)
✔ Temperature – 75-85°F (24-29°C)
✔ Water Dish – Small, shallow bowl with fresh water
✔ Ventilation – Critical for maintaining low humidity and mold
✔ Decor – Cork bark, sticks, and artificial plants for webbing
Are Greenbottle Blue Tarantulas Poisonous?
✔ No, they are not poisonous to humans! ✔ Venom is extremely weak and only dangerous to small insects. ✔ Mild irritation from bites, similar to a bee sting.
Greenbottle Blue Tarantula Sling Care
Greenbottle Blue babies (slings) require a bit more attention compared to adults.
✔ Housing: Keep them in a little well-ventilated room with dry substrate. ✔ Feeding: Give pinhead crickets or flightless fruit flies every 2-3 days. ✔ Humidity: A bit higher than adults (60–70%) until adults. ✔ Growth Rate: They grow very fast! A mould should be achieved every few months.
As they grow, slowly lower the humidity and encourage them to a bigger enclosure.
Final Thoughts
✔ Ideal for Showing: Always webs, always active. ✔ Simple to Maintain: Low-maintenance and robust. ✔ Not a Handling Pet: Ideal for individuals who like watching but not holding. ✔ Awesome for Newcomers (some experience recommended)—If you don’t mind a skittery, high-speed spider, this makes a great pet!
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