Gooty Sapphire Tarantula

Poecilotheria metallica

The gooty sapphire tarantula, Poecilotheria metallica, is an arboreal Old World tarantula from a small forested area of Andhra Pradesh, India. In the pet trade it may be called the peacock parachute spider, a reference to its metallic blue legs, yellow underleg markings, and patterned gray-blue carapace. Like other Poecilotheria, it is fast, capable of sudden vertical movement, and relies on speed and threat displays rather than urticating hairs. Its restricted range and degraded habitat make captive-bred animals the appropriate source for serious keepers.

This is not a beginner tarantula. It is best housed in a secure, tall enclosure with cork bark or hollow wood, high ventilation, and moderate humidity without stagnant, wet substrate. Feeding is straightforward with appropriately sized roaches, crickets, or other invertebrates, but handling is avoided because a bite can be medically significant and escapes are difficult to recover safely. Responsible buyers look for captive-bred spiderlings or juveniles, understand local and international trade rules for Poecilotheria, and plan for careful rehousing as the spider matures.