Greenbottle Blue Tarantula, GBB
Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens
Theraphosidae (Tarantulas), Order Araneae
Physical Description
A medium-sized tarantula with a stocky cephalothorax and a bulbous abdomen covered in urticating hairs. It features a striking metallic blue color on the legs, a vibrant turquoise-green carapace, and a brilliant orange abdomen.
Size Estimate
Leg span typically reaches 5 to 6 inches (13-15 cm) as adults. The specimen in the image appears to be a juvenile or sub-adult based on leg proportions.
Coloration & Markings
Distinctive tri-color pattern: vivid blue legs, a metallic green carapace, and a bright orange/red abdomen. Spiderlings have a different pattern with dark tiger-stripes on an orange abdomen.
Web Type
Heavy funnel-like sheet webs. Unlike many tarantulas, GBBs are prolific webbers, covering their habitat in thick, white silk carpets to detect prey.
Eye Arrangement
Small ocular tubercle on the front of the carapace containing eight eyes in two compact rows, though they have poor eyesight and rely on vibrations.
Leg Characteristics
Thick, powerful legs covered in fine blue hairs (setae). They possess scopulae (dense hair pads) on the feet for gripping surfaces and are known for a semi-arboreal posture.
Venom & Safety Information
Venom Information
Possesses mild, non-medically significant venom similar to a bee sting. They rely primarily on their urticating hairs (Type II) and speed for defense.
Medical Significance
Low danger to humans. Minor localized pain and swelling at the bite site. Urticating hairs can cause skin irritation or respiratory/eye distress if kicked or handled.
Safety Recommendations
If kept as a pet, use long tongs for feeding. Do not handle, as they are fast and their hairs cause itching. Relocate using the cup-and-paper method if necessary.
Habitat & Behavior
Habitat & Range
Endemic to the Paraguan Peninsula in Falcon state, Venezuela. They thrive in xeric (dry) shrublands and desert-like conditions among cacti and acacia trees.
Behavior & Temperament
Skittish and fast-moving rather than aggressive. They are opportunistic hunters and stay 'on display' on their webbing rather than hiding in burrows, making them popular in the pet trade.
Diet & Prey
Generalist carnivores eating crickets, roaches, grasshoppers, and occasionally small vertebrates. They use their heavy webbing to sense prey and strike with speed.
Seasonal Activity
Active year-round in their warm, dry native habitat, though activity increases during the rainy season when prey is more abundant.
Description
The Greenbottle Blue tarantula is a stunning New World tarantula famous for its neon-like coloration and elaborate silk structures. It is a highly active and visible species that transforms its environment into a silken landscape.
Key Features
Tri-color blue/green/orange combination; heavy webbing behavior; distinctively blue legs; lacks the 'tiger stripe' pattern of its own juvenile stage.
Similar Species
Monocentropus balfouri (Socotran Blue Baboon) has blue legs but lacks the orange abdomen; various Avicularia species have blue hues but different body shapes.
Life Cycle
Females can live 12-14 years, while males live 3-4 years. They reach maturity quickly for tarantulas (2-3 years). Females lay egg sacs containing 100-200 spiderlings.
Ecological Importance
As an apex invertebrate predator in its arid Venezuelan niche, it controls insect populations and serves as food for larger desert reptiles and birds.
Conservation Status
Not currently listed by the IUCN, but threatened in the wild by habitat destruction and illegal poaching for the exotic pet trade.
Interesting Facts
They are one of the few tarantulas that undergo a complete color metamorphosis as they age, starting as striped 'pink' spiderlings and turning neon blue and orange.
Photography Tips
Use a macro lens to capture the metallic sheen of the carapace. Best photographed under diffused light to avoid harsh glares on the silk webbing.
Identified: 2026-07-06T19:21:54.085078