The cobalt blue tarantula (Haplopelma lividum) is a tarantula

Tarantula

Tarantulas comprise a group of often hairy and often very large arachnids belonging to the family Theraphosidae, of which approximately 900 species have been identified. Some members of the same Suborder may also be called "tarantulas" in the common parlance. This article will restrict itself to...

 species that is native to Myanmar

Myanmar

Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....

 and Thailand

Thailand

Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...

.

Description

The cobalt blue tarantula is a medium size tarantula with a leg span of approximately 13 cm (5"). The cobalt blue tarantula is noted for its iridescent blue legs and light gray prosoma and opisthosoma

Opisthosoma

The opisthosoma is the posterior part of the body in some arthropods, behind the prosoma . It is a distinctive feature of the subphylum Chelicerata...

, the latter of which may contain darker gray chevrons. Males and females look the same until the ultimate (final) molt of the males. At this point the male will exhibit sexual dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism is a phenotypic difference between males and females of the same species. Examples of such differences include differences in morphology, ornamentation, and behavior.-Examples:-Ornamentation / coloration:...

in the form of a light tan or bronze coloration and legginess. Additionally males will gain embolus on the pedipalps and tibial apophysis (mating hooks). The cobalt blue tarantula is a smpleton.

Habitat

The cobalt blue tarantula inhabits the tropical rain forests of southeast Asia. Here they construct deep burrows, and generally only leave them to find food.

Pets

The cobalt blue tarantula is a mainstay in the pet trade, however it should only be kept by experienced keepers. Being a fast and defensive tarantula with potent venom means that it should not be handled, and its reclusive nature means it is rarely seen. Typical care requirements include a deep tank with 25 to 30 cm (10-12 inches) of substrate such as peat moss or coco-husk. Being from a tropical region they require constant high humidity and should be provided with an open water dish. Tarantulas are generally offered 1-2 prey items (such as crickets) once weekly.

External links

• Cobalt Blue Tarantula Care Guide
• Haplopelma lividum at care-sheet.com (WikiPets)