Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens (Green Bottle Blue) 0.75"

The GreenBottle Blue Tarantula, Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens Strand is a brilliant hobby classic and a fantastic first tarantula for those that are spider-curious. This semi-arboreal species occurs in sandy arid habitats in the Paraguaná Peninsula of northern Venezuela, where they often build extended hammock-like webs with funnel-like entrances through thorn scrub and under woody debris, sometimes at the base of towering cacti. These tarantulas are tough as nails, have a gentle disposition, dashingly good looks, and are therefore an excellent beginner species if their habitat preferences are met.

C. cyaneopubescens is among the most wildly colored desert tarantulas with two major color phases over the course of their lifecycle, so you get to enjoy two gorgeous color combinations in one spider. Juveniles develop a stunning orange and black, tiger-striped abdomen paired with a golden starburst on a black carapace along with metallic emerald to turquoise femurs and progressively zebra striped legs from the patella to their tarsi. At maturity, however, these spiders develop a fabulously vivid, metallic turquoise blue carapace and chelicerae, royal blue legs with fiery orange setae, and orange setae over a black abdomen. These spiders reach 4.5-6 inch leg span at maturity.

Although semi-arboreal, C. cyaneopubescens are also opportunistic burrowers and thrive in very dry conditions. So this spider can do just about anything a spider can do. They are easily maintained in a well-ventilated vertical or terrestrial enclosure with plenty of substrate. Provide cork hides and or branches and dead leaves for C. cyaneopubescens to incorporate as anchor points in its copious webbing. Being desert dwellers with sparse opportunities in the wild to snag a meal, this species has an impressively strong feeding response and actively pursues prey. Keep their substrate dry, provide a water bowl for larger specimens, and only occasionally mist a corner of the cage and these jewels will do fantastically well.

Fun trivia: a male C. cyaneopubescens named “Cooli” became something of a tarantula star as the beloved pet of Billie Eilish starting with a cameo on the Late Late Show with James Corden. However, despite social media posts of folks pushing the limits of docile tarantula handling, please do not attempt placing these [or any tarantulas for that matter] anywhere near your face as a flick of urticating hairs in the eyes or up one’s nose would beckon a trip for medical attention.

Although this species is quite docile and handleable, be sure to only handle if necessary and in a safe space for the tarantula as they are quite skittish and can bolt quickly if spooked. Males also do not hesitate to flick urticating hairs if they feel uncomfortable. For many, if you could have one tarantula in the world, the Greenbottle Blue Tarantula is a steadfast hobby classic that has so much to love.