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Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens
Greenbottle Blue
TEMPERATURE
21 - 28 °C / 70 - 82 °F
HUMIDITY
50 - 65 %
TYPE
Terrestrial / Semi-Arboreal
CATEGORY
New World
VENOM
Mild
Specific Data
Scientific Name
Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens [Schmidt, 1995]
To correctly identify a species it is given a binomial nomenclature, historically known as a Latin name, composed with a "two-term naming system". The first part is the generic name which identifies the genus while the second name distinguishes the species within the appointed genus.
Previous Name(s)
Delopelma cyaneopubescens [Petrunkevitch, 1939]
Eurypelma cyaneopubescens [Strand, 1907]
Depending on the discovery of the species it often has multiple previous names. As our knowledge grows within zoology through observation, identification, and classification some species change their binomial nomenclature to match current families and genus as time goes on.
Common Name(s)
Greenbottle Blue
GBB
The common name, also known as a vernacular name, is the name used in everyday life which often contains a form of description of the animal or is closely related to the Latin name. However, the common name should never be used in a scientific context due to the risk of mixup.
Endemic / Native
Paraguaná Peninsula, Northern Venezuela
Endemic / Native refers to the species current habitat and the geographical location.
Type
Terrestrial / Semi-Arboreal
The meaning of "type" refers to the tarantula's natural dwelling area, being either arboreal (above ground), terrestrial (ground), or fossorial (burrowing).
Diagonal Leg Span
16 cm / 6.25"
The diagonal leg span of a spider is measured from the first leg of either side, crossing the carapace, to the last pair of hindlegs on the opposite side.
Body Length
7 cm / 2.25"
The body length of a spider is measured from the abdomen to the chelicerae, and not including the legs.
Growth Rate
Medium
Growth rate refers to the time it takes for the species to reach the adult stage.
Temperatures
21 - 28 °C / 70 - 82 °F
An general temperature index from the cold to the warm season.
Humidity
50 - 65 %
Keeping the humidity within the appointed percentage is very important for the animal's well-being.
Category
New World
In the family of tarantulas (theraphosidae), there are two categories which descripes the species behaviour.
Urticating Setae (hair)
Type III & IV
Urticating setae are nettle-like structures used as a defense mechanism amongst New World theraphosidae species. and not Old World. There are different types of setae based on their different shapes, sizes, and areas of distribution. Species with type II setae rarely use this defense mechanism.
Temperament
Docile, Curious, Hair Kicker
The temperament and behavior regards to the species are generalized and should never be taken for granted.
Life Expectancy
Female 12 - 14 years / Male 3 - 4 years
Life Expectancy for each species is different. The written age is based of a specimen with correct environment and proper feeding.
Venom
Mild - not considered medically significant
Urticating setae are nettle-like structures used as a defense mechanism amongst New World theraphosidae species. and not Old World. There are different types of setae based on their different shapes, sizes, and areas of distribution. Species with type II setae rarely use this defense mechanism.
Experience
Medium
The required experience is an indicator of basic caregiving aspects for theraphosid species by environmental, behavior, and venom strength.
Conservation Satus
Critically endangered (IUCN 3.1)
Taxon Identifiers
Catalogue of Life ID:
NCBI taxonomy ID:
GBIF taxon ID:
World Spider Catalog ID:
Wikidata:
iNaturalist:
Taxonomical Classification
Domain:
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Subphylum:
Class:
Order:
Infraorder:
Superfamily:
Family:
Subfamily
Genus:
Eukaryota
Animalia
Arthropoda
Chelicerata
Arachnida
Araneae
Mygalomorphae
Theraphosidae
Chromatopelma
Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens
Natural habitat
Paraguaná Peninsula, Northern Venezuela
Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens, or the Green Bottle Blue tarantula commonly known as GBB, is a species endemic to the Paraguaná Peninsula, Northern Venezuela. The species has become popular among hobbyists due to its metallic coloration with dark blue legs, turquoise carapace, and fire-orange abdomen with dark markings. This species has a monotypic genus which means that the genus only contains a single species.
Natural Environment
In the northern parts of Venezuela is the peninsula region of Paraguaná. The hot desert and semi-arid climate make this part of Venezuela extremely dry with rainfall once or twice yearly. However, in the central part of the peninsula is Santa Ana Hill. The climate changes from desert and arid to a more humid environment due to the tropical forests and higher altitudes. The geographical location of the peninsula, with the ocean almost surrounding the tied island, wind is fairly constant day and night.
Behavior
The spider is an opportunistic semi-arboreal/terrestrial webber, meaning that they are a ground-dwelling species but can often be seen above ground, to find anchor points for their web. It is important never to provide them with an arboreal enclosure since it is highly unsafe for them, and will often result in fatal accidents. Being a New World species their behavior and temperament are rather docile with signs of a skittish nature. If the spider feels threatened they are prone to kick hair and flee with lightning-fast reactions. Overall, the spider is an excellent display species as they are often visible, either webbing or just being.
Enclosure/Terrarium
Terrarium: The species will eventually cover most areas with their web, but to achieve this they need a lot of anchor points to which they attach the web. This can be obtained with cork bark, sticks, and twigs. I use large tree roots which enables them to create a burrow with a sufficient amount of movable space with they use to create their beautiful burrows.
Substrate: the species requires a substrate that “breathes” well due to their humidity requirement being very low. Dry coconut fiber mixed with sphagnum peat moss is a perfect choice but coconut fiber itself works just fine as well. The amount of substrate suitable for an adult is a depth of 10 cm.
Plants: Using plants is not a requirement, but it provides better esthetics to the enclosure and anchor points for the spider. If you aim to create an enclosure that resembles their natural habitat, you need to acquire plants that don't require too much watering. Remember that the species need a rather dry environment. These plants are recommended: Dracaena trifasciata, Aloe vera, Succulents, Zamioculcas zamiifolia, Chlorophytum comosum
Recommended plants
Food/Water
Because this species requires low humidity, the enclosure shouldn't be sprayed, therefore it's important to provide a water dish that stays filled. As adults they can happily take one or two large Blaptic dubia roaches each week being that they are good eaters. If you provide smaller prey items such as worms, Shelfordella lateralis, or crickets just remember to offer more than one because of the size differences. Personally, I use Shelfordella lateralis or Blaptic dubia with the occasional pinkie mouse once a year. Spiderlings however require smaller prey items such as crickets, Shelfordella lateralis, worms, or smaller Blaptic dubia roaches. When they are newborns it's recommended to use fruit flies until they reach a length of 1,2 - 1,4 cm.
Breeding
The main environmental condition for this species is low humidity, and this does apply as well during mating. However, before the two spiders are introduced for mating, they should both have been provided with an artificial seasonal change which occurs in nature and can be achieved by raising the humidity.
The females of the species are known for the cannibalistic tendencies that can occur when introducing the male spider. If the introduction is a success, the mating process is usually long and can take hours. Therefore, it is common to leave the two spiders alone to not disturb them.
From the cocoon, you can expect an average number of 90 - 180 eggs. Slings or spiders of early age need to be kept with mild moistened conditions on one side of the enclosure/box/container to thrive. As spiderlings, they are exceptionally large if compared to other Theraphosidae species with a leg span of around 10 - 12 mm. If given the opportunity spiderlings can often be seen burrowing throughout the stages of their life. The species grows and develops rather fast during the first stages of its life, being mature within 1.5 - 2.5 years.
