Spiders, particularly tarantulas, have the unfortunate reputation of being creepy regardless of the species, which could explain why they are yet to become as popular as dogs and cats or even reptiles as pets. That said, over the years, some species such as the Greenbottle Blue tarantula have become more mainstream as pets – read on for an in-depth look at this fascinating creature.
The Greenbottle Blue tarantula is one of the most stunning tarantula species in the world thanks to its striking coloration, which is why of the main reasons it is a popular pet option. This species is known for its docile and skittish nature, so they don’t require a lot of handling. Besides being voracious feeders, they are low maintenance pets that don’t take up too much of your time.
Although Greenbottle Blue tarantulas can make for interesting pets, you will need to meet a variety of needs that are unique to them to keep them healthy and happy. Therefore, you will want to do as much research as possible especially if you are a first-time owner to ensure that you are capable of handling and taking care of one.
Are Greenbottle Blue Tarantulas Good for Beginners?
Some tarantula species are simply far better than others for beginners. Greenbottle Blue tarantulas are considered to be suitable for beginners for the following reasons:
They Have a Respectable Adult Size
The Greenbottle Blue tarantula is hardly the largest even when it reaches its full size. They fall somewhere in the middle of the size spectrum, which means that it is both easy to handle and impressive to look at.
They are Easy to Care for
Another quality beginners look for in tarantulas is the level of care that they need – species that are challenging to care for are hardly the ideal. Fortunately, the Greenbottle Blu tarantula is quite easy to take care of as they don’t have too many needs. This makes them ideal for beginners who intend to care for them over the long term.
They are Generally Docile
The ideal tarantulas for beginners are docile, and rarely, if ever, attempt to attack or bite their owners. Greenbottle Blue tarantulas fit this description as they are unassuming, and they don’t bite unless they are provoked.
Because of their laid-back nature, simple tasks such as cleaning out their cage is easy as they are neither fast and/or aggressive, so you don’t have to worry about them unexpectedly attacking you.
They are Hardy
Greenbottle Blue tarantulas originate from the harsh and dry climate of Paraguana, Venezuela. As a result, they have developed a very hardy character, which makes it very easy for them to adapt to their surroundings even in captivity.
They Don’t Require a lot of Handling
This tarantula species is a bit skittish, so they don’t require a lot of handling. This makes them suitable for beginners who prefer a hands-off terrarium pet. It also means that they are very independent, so you don’t have to spend too much of your time on them.
They are Quiet
Unlike some tarantula species, the Greenbottle Blue tarantula does not hiss. As a beginner, you get to enjoy the company of a quiet pet.
They are Beautiful
One of the main things that appeal to people about tarantulas is their appearance. The Greenbottle Blue tarantula is one of the most visually stunning tarantulas in the world, which makes them a great option for beginners who are looking for a beautiful pet.
How Long Do Greenbottle Blue Tarantulas Live?
One of the main factors that determine the lifespan of the Greenbottle Blue tarantula is the sex – males live for approximately 2-4 years, whereas females have been known to live for more than 12 years.
This is because female tarantulas produce less mitochondrial superoxide, have better protection against an oxidative attack, and subsequently suffer less oxidative damages than their male counterparts at adulthood.
On the other hand, male tarantulas are more likely to be exposed to oxidative stress because there is an increase in the mitochondrial superoxide production and a drop in hemolymph antioxidant defenses. This is the most likely explanation for the sharp reduction in lifespan when a male tarantula reaches maturity.
Other factors that may have an impact on the lifespan of a Greenbottle Blue tarantula include:
Genetics
As with other species, genetics affects how long a Greenbottle Blue tarantula will live. Although there are no definitive methods you can use to determine whether or not your tarantula has inherited better genes that will allow it to live longer, you may be able to access its family tree to get some clues.
Diet
The type of food you provide as well as the amount and frequency can also affect how long your Greenbottle Blue tarantula will live.
Care and Handling
It is important to provide the right environment for your tarantula, whether it is the right type of cage or comfortable temperatures to ensure that it lives a long and healthy life. How you handle your tarantula pet can also affect its lifespan, especially since they can easily get injured when they are accidentally dropped.
How Big Do Greenbottle Blue Tarantulas Get?
The Greenbottle Blue isn’t a particularly large tarantula, with a majority of adults reaching an average leg span of 5 inches. Female tarantulas are slightly bigger than their male counterparts.
Greenbottle Blue Tarantulas Color
The Greenbottle Blue tarantula is considered to be one of the most beautiful tarantula species thanks to its striking coloration. The color of this unique specimen changes color as it ages, but it never loses its outward appeal. Colorations are as follows:
Slings
Baby tarantulas, otherwise known as slings, are predominantly blonde with brown stripes across the underside of its abdomen.
Juvenile
While the blonde coloration is still present in juveniles, their legs begin to darken and take on a blue hue.
Adults
The abdomen of adult Greenbottle Blue tarantulas is covered in a gradient of bronze hairs that are in sharp contrast with the rest of the body. The carapace takes on a metallic-green hue, whereas the legs are a vibrant metallic-blue color. The whole body is covered with orange hairs that add another fascinating layer of depth to the tarantula’s experience.
Are Greenbottle Blue Tarantulas Aggressive?
The Greenbottle Blue tarantula is a generally non-aggressive species, but when they are provoked, they might bite you, although the chances of this occurring are minimal.
Are Greenbottle Blue Tarantulas Poisonous?
As previously mentioned, the Greenbottle Blue can bite when anxious or aggravated, but their venom is not particularly dangerous to man. That said, its bite can cause some minor tingling and blazing in the affected area. In case you suspect you may be having an allergic reaction to a bite, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Are Greenbottle Blue Tarantulas Arboreal?
Although Greenbottle Blue tarantulas are usually considered to be terrestrial, there is still some confusion as to whether they should be kept in a terrestrial or arboreal set-up due to their tendency to create extensive webbing that they apply both horizontally and vertically.
Although some may refer to these tarantulas as “semi-arboreal”, the reason they create such extensive webbing is to ensure that they have a secure grip on their surroundings. Therefore, they are mostly terrestrial tarantulas.
Can You Handle a Greenbottle Blue Tarantula?
Greenbottle Blue tarantulas generally prefer not to be handled, but if you decide to do so, ensure that you are very careful. This is because this tarantula species can move very quickly when spooked and go into hiding.
The safest way to pick up your Greenbottle Blue is to grip it between its second and third pairs of legs using your forefinger and thumb. You will notice that the tarantula will react by ceasing movement if you pick it up quickly this way. Another technique you can use to pick up your tarantula is to nudge it gently into a temporary container or palm of your hand.
Once you have your tarantula in the palm of your hand, slowly lift it, ensuring that it remains in one place by putting it in your other hand beneath the tarantula. Try to keep your tarantula from crawling all over you by holding it in your hands. This way, both you and your pet will remain safe.
In case your Greenbottle Blue happens to fall from a great height, it could most likely prove to be fatal for the tarantula. Falls from three feet or higher can result in the rapturing of the tarantula’s abdomen and subsequent death. If you are not too sure about how to handle your tarantula, you are better off letting it be to avoid unintentionally hurting your pet.
When a Greenbottle Blue tarantula is handled improperly, it will react defensively. The first defensive act it will display is to retreat or withdraw. If you don’t back away, it will then kick its urticating hair in your general direction. These hairs can cause a painful temporary rush in humans.
The next attack will be in the form of a bite, which is similar to a bee sting in terms of pain. If your Greenbottle Blue tarantula bites you, clean the wound carefully and apply an antiseptic to prevent infections from occurring.
Care of Greenbottle Blue Tarantulas
Temperament
While the appearance of the Greenbottle Blue is one of the most appealing things about them, it is their laidback temperament that usually makes owners and enthusiasts appreciate this unique species in its entirety.
Greenbottle Blues are categorized as new world tarantulas, which is a group of tarantulas that are generally renowned for their relaxed personalities as well as their preference to take a flight rather than fight approach when facing danger.
However, these tarantulas aren’t always calm and collected. They can be quite skittish, especially when they are still spiderlings. As a result, disturbing their enclosure or trying to handle them too frequently can cause them to scamper away or flick their urticating hairs at you.
Terrarium size
While Greenbottle Blue tarantulas are not particularly huge, it is still highly recommended that you keep them in a decently-sized enclosure. To ensure that your pet tarantula is comfortable, consider keeping it in a terrarium measuring 12 inches by 8 inches for adults at a minimum. A bigger terrarium could be more useful, plus it allows for more options when it comes to decorating.
For spiderlings, you can use clear plastic containers that have well-vented lids or air holes to allow for proper air circulation. Because Greenbottle Blue tarantulas are almost exclusively terrestrial, you will want to ensure that their enclosure is as burrow-friendly as possible. You can do this by layering the surface of the enclosure with around 6 inches of a moisture-retaining substrate such as peat moss.
You can also supply a variety of accessories such as logs, cork bark, driftwood, fake plants, and rocks which the tarantula can use as hiding places and bases for their webs.
Food& Water (What to Eat, How Much to Feed, How Often to Feed?)
Greenbottle Blue tarantulas are known for their voracious appetites, which means that they need a steady and nutritious diet to attain their full size. Because they are carnivores, you can provide adults with crickets, roaches, and mealworms, whereas spiderlings can be fed pinhead crickets and other similarly sized insects.
You can feed your tarantula several of these insects once or twice within a week, and any leftovers should be removed promptly from the enclosure to prevent mold from developing. Greenbottle Blue tarantulas will rarely reject a meal unless they are about to enter premolt. Ensure that you provide a water dish within your tarantula’s enclosure where they can drink water as needed.
Temperatures
A suitable temperature for a Greenbottle Blue temperature should range from 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. At night, you can lower the temperature so that it ranges from 74-77 degrees Fahrenheit.
Heating
Greenbottle Blue tarantulas tend to burrow to try and avoid heat, so you will want to refrain from adding underfloor heating in their enclosure. Instead, opt to provide a mat pad that can be attached to one corner of the cage. This way, you will create a thermal gradient, and the tarantula will be able to choose an area with the most suitable temperature.
Humidity
The natural environment of the Greenbottle Blue tarantula is quite arid, so humidity levels don’t have to be as high as is required for other species. Therefore, the ideal humidity level in an enclosure is around 50-60%. You can use a hygrometer to keep track of humidity levels and consequently make adjustments as needed.
Lighting
Greenbottle Blue tarantulas do not require any special lighting in their enclosures.
Reproduction
For reproduction to occur, male Greenbottle Blue tarantulas have to be introduced to the female’s enclosure. Allow them to become accustomed to each other until they approach each other to start mating. The process can be quite lengthy and requires your supervision throughout.
Once the act is completed, you will want to keep an eye on the female as it may attack and even kill the smaller male afterward. If the mating is successful, the female will produce an egg sac that can hatch in as little as 4 months.
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