Poecilotheria metallica tarantula - Gooty Sapphire Ornamental tarantula
Poecilotheria metallica tarantula - Gooty Sapphire Ornamental tarantula
Poecilotheria metallica tarantula - Gooty Sapphire Ornamental tarantula
Poecilotheria metallica tarantula - Gooty Sapphire Ornamental tarantula
Poecilotheria metallica tarantula - Gooty Sapphire Ornamental tarantula
Poecilotheria metallica tarantula - Gooty Sapphire Ornamental tarantula

Poecilotheria metallica tarantula - Gooty Sapphire Ornamental tarantula

$325.00 
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Gooty Sapphire Ornamental Tarantula

Poecilotheria metallica is universally recognized as the bluest tarantula in the entire hobby. After a fresh molt, the color is unreal—electric sapphire blue that looks almost metallic and completely unnatural. This species is what got me into the tarantula hobby 14 years ago, and it remains one of my all-time favorites. It’s a true staple of the hobby, instantly iconic, historically important, and honestly… just incredibly cool looking.

🔔 Special Notices
This species is famous for being highly communal when started together at a young age. If you’re interested in setting up a Poecilotheria metallica communal, I offer various sizes depending on availability—just reach out and ask.

I also recommend checking out my YouTube channel to see how I personally keep this species, including setups, feeding, and long-term care.

▶️ Urban Tarantulas – care, setups & show-and-tell
🌡️ Care Details
🌡️ Temperature 75–85°F (24–29°C). Warmer temperatures promote faster growth.
💧 Humidity 75–80% with strong cross-ventilation.
🏠 Housing
Babies Vial up to ~5" tall with vertical cork bark and good airflow.
Juveniles 7–8" tall arboreal enclosure with multiple anchor points.
Adults 12–16" tall arboreal enclosure with cork slabs and webbing space.
🍽️ General Diet
Crickets and roaches (Dubia, Red Runner, Lobster, Madagascar Hissing). Slings take baby prey. Pre-kill oversized feeders if needed and remove leftovers. Strong feeding response at all stages.
🕷️ In-depth Facts
🕷️ Scientific name Poecilotheria metallica
📛 Common name(s) Gooty Sapphire Ornamental
📍 Locale India - Around Gooty within Andhra Pradesh
🏷️ Category Arboreal, heavy webbing, Old World
📏 Size Females up to ~7.5" DLS • Males smaller
🪶 Urticating hairs None
⏳ Growth rate Moderate
🧭 Life span Females 12+ years • Males significantly shorter
🎯 Recommended levels Intermediate to Advanced
📜 Species History

For many years, P. metallica was believed to be extinct in the wild due to severe habitat loss and deforestation. After its original scientific description in 1899, it went largely unobserved for decades. It wasn’t until the early 2000s that the species was rediscovered during field surveys, reigniting global interest and conservation concern. Today, captive breeding plays a critical role in preserving this iconic species, making it both a hobby staple and an important conservation success story.
Poecilotheria metallica is native to a very small region of southern India, specifically the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, with the original type locality near the town of Gooty. This species inhabits dry deciduous forest and lives almost exclusively in tree hollows and bark crevices, where it creates arboreal retreats and funnel webbing. Its natural range is extremely limited, which is a major reason for its rarity.
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⚠️ Safety Disclaimer
Safety Disclaimer: Experiencing a tarantula bite is an extremely rare occurrence, and it's important to note that there have been NO recorded fatalities due to a tarantula bite. The venom potency varies across species, with Old World tarantulas generally having stronger venom than their New World counterparts. Within the Old World category, the Poecilotheria genus is known for having particularly potent venom.

It's crucial to approach tarantulas with respect and understanding. If you happen to get bitten, which is unlikely, the key is to stay calm. In most cases, the discomfort is superficial and subsides within a few minutes to a few hours. However, bites from species with more potent venom may result in symptoms lasting up to a week. Remember, larger tarantulas tend to have more venom than smaller ones.

Please be aware that I cannot assume responsibility for bites. Tarantula handling should be done at your own risk. In my 13 years of experience with these creatures, I have only been bitten once, by a species with highly potent venom. While the experience was painful, the symptoms had completely disappeared after a week.

Handle tarantulas responsibly, and always prioritize your safety and the well-being of the tarantula.