Cobalt blue tarantula

Haplopelma lividum
In Kaeng Krachan District, Phetchaburi, Thailand
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Mygalomorphae
Family: Theraphosidae
Genus: Haplopelma
Species: H. lividum
Binomial name
Haplopelma lividum
Smith, 1996[1]

The cobalt blue tarantula, scientific name Haplopelma lividum, is a tarantula species (family Theraphosidae) that is native to Myanmar[1] and over the border into Thailand.[2]

Description

The cobalt blue tarantula is a medium size tarantula with a leg span of approximately 13 cm (5 in). The cobalt blue tarantula is noted for its iridescent blue legs and light gray prosoma and opisthosoma, the latter of which may contain darker gray chevrons.[3] Males and females look the same until the ultimate (final) molt of the males. At this point the male will exhibit sexual dimorphism in the form of a light tan or bronze coloration and legginess. Additionally males will gain a palpal bulb on the pedipalps and tibial apophyses (mating hooks). The female will eventually become larger than the male and live years longer.[4] The cobalt blue tarantula is a fossorial species and spends nearly all of its time in deep burrows of its own construction.

Habitat

The cobalt blue tarantula inhabits the tropical rain forests of southeast Asia.[5] 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, despite being a fast and defensive tarantula with potent venom.[6] Studies suggest that bites from this species can result in severe muscle cramps and inflammation.[7] Typically they are kept in a deep tank with 25 to 30 cm (10-12 inches) of substrate such as peat moss or coco-husk that is kept humid.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 "Taxon details Haplopelma lividum Smith, 1996", World Spider Catalog, Natural History Museum Bern, retrieved 2016-05-17
  2. ↑ Ngamniyom, Arin; Manaboon, Manaporn; Panyarachun, Busaba & Showpittapornchai, Udomsri (2014). "Phylogenetic Relationships of Two Earth Tiger Tarantulas, Haplopelma livid and H. longipes (Araneae, Theraphosidae), within the Infraorder Mygalomorph Using 28S Ribosomal DNA Sequences". International Journal of Zoological Research. 10 (1): 15–19. Retrieved 2016-06-08.
  3. ↑ Photos of Haplopelma lividum
  4. ↑ http://www.everything-cobalt-blue.com/cobalt-blue-tarantula.html
  5. ↑ Smith, A. M. (1996). "A new species of Haplopelma (Araneae: Theraphosidae), with notes on two close relatives". Mygalomorph. 1: 21–32.
  6. ↑ Takaoka Makoto (2001). "Tarantulas Bite: Two Case Reports of Finger Bite from Haplopelma lividum". The Japanese Journal of Toxicology. 14 (3): 247–250.
  7. ↑ "Cobalt Blue Tarantula (Haplopelma lividum)". Keeping Exotic Pets. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
  8. ↑ Schultz, Stanley A. (2009). The Tarantula Keeper's Guide: Comprehensive Information on Care, Housing, and Feeding. Barrons. ISBN 0764138855.
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