Peacock tarantula facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Peacock tarantula |
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The Poecilotheria metallica, also known as the peacock tarantula, is a beautiful type of tarantula. It comes from the "Old World," which means places like Asia, Africa, and Europe. This spider is special because it's the only blue species in its group, the Poecilotheria genus. Like other spiders in its family, it has amazing patterns on its body that look a bit like fractals. You can find this tarantula in the forests of Andhra Pradesh, in central southern India. Sadly, it is listed as Critically endangered by the IUCN.
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About the Peacock Tarantula
The Poecilotheria metallica has cool, detailed patterns on its body, just like other Poecilotheria spiders. But what makes it stand out is its bright blue color! When these tarantulas are young, they aren't as colorful. Their stunning blue color becomes much brighter as they grow up. Adult males, however, tend to have less prominent blue coloring.
How to Tell Males and Females Apart
Male peacock tarantulas are usually thinner and have longer legs than females. A clear sign of a grown-up male is that special hooks, called emboli, appear on their pedipalps (small leg-like parts near their mouth) after their final molt. For females, you can often tell their gender by looking at their shed skin (molt) before they are fully grown. A full-grown P. metallica can have a leg span of about 15 to 20 centimeters (6 to 8 inches).
Where They Live
The Poecilotheria metallica lives in a very small area in India. This area is less than 100 square kilometers (about 38 square miles). It's a special reserve forest, but it's still facing problems like trees being cut down. Scientists have looked in nearby forests but haven't found this spider anywhere else. The first spider of this kind was found in a timber yard about 100 km away. Scientists believe it was likely carried there by train.
Spider Behavior
The Poecilotheria metallica acts much like other spiders that live in trees. In the wild, they make their homes in holes found in tall trees. Here, they build funnel-shaped webs that aren't perfectly even. Their main food source is different kinds of flying insects. Sometimes, if there aren't many tree holes available, these spiders might live together in groups.
How They React to Danger
This tarantula is quite shy and will usually try to run away first if it feels scared. It also doesn't like bright lights and will try to hide from them. However, if it feels trapped or very threatened, it might bite to defend itself.
How Long They Live
Female peacock tarantulas usually live for 11 to 12 years. Some can even live up to 15 years! Males, on the other hand, have a shorter lifespan, typically living for 3 to 4 years.
About Their Venom
It's important to know that no human has ever died from a P. metallica bite. However, their venom can cause strong reactions. People who have been bitten by other spiders in the Poecilotheria group have reported intense pain. Most of the time, when these spiders bite, they don't inject any venom. This is called a "dry bite." Even without venom, the bite itself can be painful because an adult's fangs can be almost 2 centimeters (3/4 of an inch) long.
What Happens After a Bite
If venom is injected, it might cause your heart rate to go up. You could also experience sweating, a headache, stinging, muscle cramps, or swelling. These effects usually last for about a week. The P. metallica can move very quickly and will defend itself if it feels cornered.
Why They Are So Blue
Just like other blue tarantulas, the amazing blue colors of the P. metallica come from tiny structures on their hairs. These structures are like tiny layers with holes. This is called "structural coloration." It means the color isn't from a pigment, but from how light bounces off these structures. This type of color can sometimes look different when you view it from different angles. Scientists think that because many tarantulas can see colors, their blue might help them find mates or compete with other spiders.
Other Names for This Spider
The P. metallica has a few other common names. It's also known as the Gooty sapphire ornamental tree spider, Gooty sapphire, or Gooty tarantula. Sometimes people call it the metallic tarantula, peacock parachute spider, or just peacock tarantula.
As Pets
The P. metallica has been bred by people for over ten years and is very popular with tarantula fans. Its beautiful colors make it highly wanted. In the United States, a full-grown spider can cost over $500, but a young spiderling is usually between $100 and $200. Female spiders are often more expensive because they live much longer than males. These spiders are quite tough and grow fairly quickly. They are usually fed crickets, but they can also eat moths, grasshoppers, and cockroaches.
Caring for a Pet Peacock Tarantula
When fully grown, their leg span can be between 15 and 20 centimeters (6 to 8 inches). If you keep them as pets, they like humid places. The temperature should be between 18 and 24 degrees Celsius (64 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit). The humidity level should be around 75 to 85%. Remember, this is a very fast spider that can sometimes be defensive. Its venom can cause strong reactions, so it's important to be careful.
Protecting the Species
The P. metallica is listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This is because it lives in only one small area. Its home is quickly being destroyed by logging and people collecting firewood. Another big threat is people collecting these spiders to sell as pets. We don't know exactly how many of these spiders are left. But because they live in such a small area and their habitat is being lost, their numbers are likely going down.
