The Cyriopagopus lividus, commonly known as the cobalt blue tarantula, is a captivating species celebrated for its striking metallic blue legs. Native to Southeast Asia, including Myanmar and Thailand, these tarantulas are highly sought after by enthusiasts. However, their defensive nature and specific care requirements make them more suitable for experienced keepers. This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and caring for cobalt blue tarantulas, with a particular focus on their diet and habitat.
Understanding the Cobalt Blue Tarantula
Natural Habitat and Behavior
Cyriopagopus lividus inhabits humid forests and jungle clearings, spending most of its life in deep burrows within compact soil. These burrows provide protection from predators and temperature extremes. Replicating this natural habitat in captivity is crucial for their well-being.
Physical Characteristics
An average cobalt blue tarantula can reach a length of about six inches, though some may grow up to nine inches in the wild. Their leg span typically reaches around five inches. Males tend to grow faster, reaching their maximum size within the first year, and live for about 10-12 years. Females, on the other hand, can live much longer, around 20-24 years.
Temperament
Cobalt blue tarantulas are known for their aggressive nature. They are defensive and may bite if they feel threatened. Their venom, while not fatal, can cause significant pain. Therefore, they are not recommended for beginners and should be handled with extreme caution.
Creating the Ideal Habitat
Enclosure
A 10-gallon tank or a similar-sized enclosure is suitable for an adult cobalt blue tarantula. To allow burrowing, provide at least 5 inches of substrate at the front and 7 inches at the back of the enclosure, creating a sloped effect that mimics their natural habitat.
Read also: Weight Loss Meds & BCBS
Substrate
Use a mix of coconut fiber, peat moss, and potting compost to create a substrate that retains moisture while supporting burrow stability. Fill at least half to three-quarters of the enclosure with this substrate to facilitate deep burrowing.
Temperature and Humidity
Maintain temperatures between 75-82°F (24-28°C) during the summer and around 68°F (20°C) in the winter. Humidity levels should be kept between 70-90%. Regular misting will help maintain humidity, but ensure good airflow to prevent mold. Live plants like bromeliads and spider plants can also help retain humidity. Moss can be added to lock in moisture and maintain a humid environment.
Additional Features
Provide a starter burrow or cork bark hide, although the tarantula will likely dig its own retreat. Adding springtails as a cleanup crew can help with waste management. Branches or plants can be added to allow the tarantula to web around the burrow entrance.
Building the Perfect Diet
Preferred Food
Cobalt blue tarantulas are carnivorous, with a diet primarily consisting of insects. Their diet should include live prey such as crickets, dubia roaches, silkworms, king worms, wax worms, mealworms, cockroaches, baby mice, and beetles. They prefer live animals and insects, as the movement stimulates their predatory senses.
Adult cobalt blues can consume large crickets and Dubia cockroaches. Hungry, mature spiders can eat up to five large crickets in a day. For spiderlings, pinhead crickets and smaller insects are more suitable due to their softer exterior. While some believe they can ingest berries and fruits, it is generally recommended to stick to an insect-based diet to avoid potential digestive issues.
Read also: Managing a Blue Spa: Key Responsibilities
Gut-Loading
Before feeding live insects to your tarantula, ensure they are gut-loaded. Gut-loading involves feeding the insects nutritious food and water to maximize their health benefits for your pet. Crickets, for example, are a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals but lack calcium. To ensure a balanced nutritional intake, gut-feed the insects with a variety of nutrients.
Water Source
While tarantulas typically derive moisture from their prey, cobalt blue tarantulas, originating from tropical environments, require more water. Provide a dish of clean, fresh water in the enclosure and refill it daily.
Feeding Schedule
Adult cobalt blue tarantulas do not need to be fed daily. Feeding them once or twice a week is usually sufficient. Spiderlings, however, should be fed every two days to support their rapid development. Adult cobalt blues can survive up to two months without food, often fasting for extended periods while staying in their burrows.
Avoiding Feeding During Molting
Cobalt blue tarantulas have a hard exoskeleton that they shed through a process called molting. During this process, they are vulnerable, and their digestive system is weak. Feeding during molting can be dangerous, as live insects may attack and harm the tarantula. Wait at least 7-10 days after molting before resuming the regular feeding schedule.
Breeding Cobalt Blue Tarantulas
Challenges and Considerations
Breeding Cyriopagopus lividus in captivity is challenging due to their highly defensive nature and complex pairing dynamics. It requires careful preparation and monitoring.
Read also: Understanding BCBS Weight Loss Benefits
Sexual Maturity and Pairing
Males typically mature within 3-4 years, developing enlarged pedipalps. Females take 5-7 years to reach reproductive maturity. Before introducing a male, ensure the female is well-fed to minimize defensive responses. Maintain high humidity and deep substrate to encourage natural behaviors.
Introduce the male at night, allowing him to drum on the substrate to communicate with the female. If receptive, she may drum back, allowing the male to approach and mate. Remove the male immediately after mating to prevent attacks from the defensive female.
Egg Sac Production
If fertilized, the female will produce an egg sac 6-8 weeks after mating. Maintain temperatures around 76-82°F (24-28°C) with humidity levels of 75-85%, ensuring proper ventilation. The egg sac typically contains 100-300 eggs.
Some breeders choose to pull the egg sac after 30-40 days for artificial incubation. If left with the mother, first instar spiderlings will emerge in 8-10 weeks, molting into second instar within 3-4 weeks.
Raising Spiderlings
C. lividus spiderlings are fast, secretive burrowers. Provide deep, moist substrate, proper ventilation, and multiple hiding spots. Feed them pinhead crickets, flightless fruit flies, or small roaches every 3-4 days.
Key Challenges
- Extreme Defensiveness: The highly defensive nature of C. lividus makes breeding attempts risky for the male.
- Burrowing Behavior: Females spend most of their time underground, making monitoring and retrieval of the egg sac difficult.
- High Humidity Requirements: Balancing moist substrate and ventilation is crucial to prevent mold.
- Short Male Lifespan: Males typically do not live beyond a year after maturing, so breeding should be attempted quickly.
Important Considerations
Not for Beginners
Cobalt blue tarantulas are not recommended for beginners due to their speed, defensive nature, and medically significant venom. They require experienced keepers who understand their specific needs and can handle them with caution.
Handling
It is generally not recommended to handle cobalt blue tarantulas. While their bite is not venomous, it can cause extreme pain and muscle spasms.
"Pet Holes"
Cobalt blue tarantulas are fossorial and spend most of their time in their burrows. This means you may not see them often, which can be discouraging for some keepers.