Species Profile

Cobalt Blue Tarantula

Cyriopagopus lividus

Cobalt legs. Burrow life. Lightning fast.

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Found in 2 countries

Wild Species

Also Known As Thai blue tarantula, Asian blue tarantula, Blue tarantula, Thai cobalt

Diet Insectivore

Activity Nocturnal+

Lifespan 10 years

Weight 0.03 lbs

Status Not Evaluated

Did You Know?

Scientific name: Cyriopagopus lividus; widely known in captivity by the older synonym Haplopelma lividum (taxonomy summarized by the World Spider Catalog, WSC).

A Old World tarantula famed for intense cobalt-blue leg coloration; a fast, defensive, largely fossorial (burrowing) species commonly kept in captivity.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Family: Theraphosidae
Genus: Cyriopagopus
Species: lividus

Distinguishing Features

Vivid metallic cobalt-blue legs with darker body
Primarily fossorial, spending much time hidden in a burrow
Old World tarantula (no urticating hairs); relies more on speed and threat display/biting for defense

Males and females differ in size

Length

♂ 4 in (4 in – 5 in)

♀ 5 in (4 in – 6 in)

Weight

♂ 0 lbs (0 lbs – 0 lbs)

Venomous

Appearance

Primary Colors

Blue Black

Secondary Colors

Brown Tan

Skin Type Hard chitinous exoskeleton densely clothed in setae (hairy/velvety appearance); Old World theraphosid-lacks New World-style urticating hairs and instead relies on speed, threat postures, and biting. Fossorial-often seen with soil-adhered setae from moist burrow habitat.

Distinctive Features

Scientific name: Cyriopagopus lividus (common captive synonym: Haplopelma lividum).
Key visual ID: vivid metallic cobalt-blue legs contrasting with a very dark (often near-black) carapace and darker abdomen; coloration is typically strongest in adults under directional light.
Body build: robust, heavy-bodied theraphosid with thick femora and powerful chelicerae; adapted for digging (fossorial).
Behavioral appearance cues: frequently kept as a moisture-dependent burrower-often only legs/front of carapace visible at burrow entrance; fast, defensive temperament typical of many Old World fossorial theraphosids (not beginner-friendly).
Geographic/ecological context affecting appearance: Southeast Asian tropical environments; individuals from humid substrates often show cleaner, more saturated blue when freshly molted, while older intermolt specimens may look duller/darker with soil abrasion.
Molt-related change: immediately post-molt the blue can appear brighter and more reflective; it typically dulls slightly as the cuticle hardens and accumulates wear/soil.

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism is present, as in many theraphosids: females are typically more robust and longer-lived; mature males are leggier and develop secondary sexual structures (palpal bulbs; tibial apophyses/spurs used in mating). Color intensity may vary by individual and molt stage rather than being a strict sex-linked trait.

♂

More slender, leggier overall proportions at maturity; often appears 'long-limbed' relative to body mass.
Presence of mature male palpal bulbs (not visible without close inspection) and tibial apophyses/spurs on the first pair of legs (typical mating structures in mature theraphosid males).
Shorter lifespan than females (commonly reported in captivity as only a few years total, with a brief adult male stage after ultimate molt; robust peer-reviewed longevity data for this exact species are scarce).

♀

More robust/heavy-bodied, typically larger in mass; abdomen often fuller when well-fed.
Longer lifespan (commonly reported in captivity on the order of a decade or more; species-specific field-verified longevity is limited).
Lacks male mating structures (no palpal bulbs/tibial apophyses); remains fossorial and defensive, often spending extended periods in burrows.

Scientific name: Cyriopagopus lividus; widely known in captivity by the older synonym Haplopelma lividum (taxonomy summarized by the World Spider Catalog, WSC).

Adult size: typically ~10-13 cm legspan, with a compact body and disproportionately striking metallic-blue legs (commonly reported in husbandry/field accounts).

Females are long-lived for a spider: commonly ~12-15+ years in captivity; males are shorter-lived, often ~3-4 years total and may survive only ~6-18 months after maturing (captive life-history reports).

It's an "Old World" tarantula (Africa/Asia): unlike many New World species, it lacks urticating hairs and relies more on speed, threat displays, and biting for defense (a broad Old World vs New World theraphosid trait).

The blue is mostly structural color-produced by nanostructures in the hairs (setae) that reflect blue wavelengths-rather than blue pigment (e.g., Hsiung et al., Science Advances, 2017, on tarantula structural coloration).

A moisture-dependent burrower: it thrives in consistently damp substrate and often spends most of its life inside a silk-lined tunnel, emerging mainly at night to ambush prey.

Despite being "display-blue," it can be surprisingly hard to spot: the spider frequently stays deep in the burrow, leaving only a silked entrance and trip-lines at the surface. (Common fossorial theraphosid hunting strategy.)

Unique Adaptations

Structural cobalt-blue legs: nanoscale hair structures reflect blue light strongly, producing a vivid, angle-dependent sheen (reported for tarantulas broadly; see Hsiung et al., Science Advances, 2017).
Burrow microclimate control: silk lining and a deep tunnel help buffer temperature and humidity swings-critical for a moisture-associated fossorial predator.
High-speed startle/strike capability: an adaptation common in fossorial Old World theraphosids that depend on rapid defense rather than urticating hairs.
Robust chelicerae and fangs: suited for subduing prey quickly in tight burrow spaces and for moving compacted soil during excavation.
Cryptic "home base" strategy: a permanent retreat with trip-lines reduces exposure to predators while expanding the spider's sensory reach outside the burrow.

Interesting Behaviors

Fossorial construction: digs and maintains a deep, silk-lined burrow; the entrance is often reinforced with webbing and soil, forming a "trapdoor-like" retreat in some setups.
Nocturnal ambush: waits just inside the burrow mouth and lunges to seize passing prey guided by vibration cues on silk trip-lines.
Defensive temperament: may deliver rapid threat postures and fast strikes when cornered, especially outside the burrow; retreat is common when a safe tunnel is available.
"Door shut" behavior: when disturbed or during pre-molt, it may barricade the entrance with thick webbing/substrate and remain sealed in for extended periods (weeks in captivity is commonly observed).
Low-visibility lifestyle: spends much of daylight hidden; keepers often see evidence of activity (moved substrate/webbing) more than the spider itself.
Moisture seeking: preferentially occupies and deepens burrows where humidity is stable; it may relocate within an enclosure to maintain a favorable microclimate.

Cultural Significance

Cyriopagopus lividus is a famous Old World tarantula with cobalt-blue legs. People who keep it as a pet know it for speed and a defensive nature; it appears in talks about safe captive care, bite risk, and color made by tiny structures, not pigments.

Myths & Legends

For decades the cobalt blue tarantula was sold and talked about as Haplopelma lividum. That older name still shows up in books, price lists, and keeper lore after reclassification to Cyriopagopus lividus.

"Hidden jewel" anecdote: keepers often pass along the story that you buy it for the blue, but you mostly see a silked hole-an informal modern legend that reflects its intensely fossorial nature.

Reputation tales: within tarantula-keeping circles, it's long been portrayed as a benchmark "fast and defensive Old World," a status-story that shapes how newcomers are warned and trained (a contemporary husbandry folklore).

Color lore: it's sometimes described in enthusiast storytelling as a spider that "wears living cobalt," tying its appearance to gemstone imagery and elevating it as a symbol of rare, natural brilliance in modern collector culture.

NE Not Evaluated

Has not yet been evaluated against the criteria.

Population Unknown

Birth 120 spiderlings

Lifespan 10 years

Lifespan

In the Wild

3–15 years

In Captivity

3–20 years

Reproduction

Mating System Promiscuity

Social Structure Solitary

Breeding Pattern Transient

Fertilization Internal Fertilization

Birth Type Internal_fertilization

Social None (solitary) Group: 1

Activity Nocturnal, Crepuscular

Diet Insectivore Cockroaches (Blattodea), especially medium-to-large roaches comparable to the spider's prosoma length (commonly used and readily taken in captivity).

Temperament

Highly defensive/territorial; more likely to stand ground than flee when threatened (a common 'Old World' theraphosid husbandry observation; species-specific quantitative aggression rates are not well established in peer-reviewed studies).

Very fast, predominantly fossorial ambush predator that waits at/near the burrow entrance for prey at night; retreats rapidly into the burrow when disturbed (general theraphosid burrow/ambush ecology summarized in Foelix, 2011).

Low social tolerance; cohabitation outside of brief mating interactions is atypical and can lead to injury/cannibalism (Foelix, 2011).

Wild lifespan data for the Cobalt blue tarantula (Cyriopagopus lividus) are not well known; females often live over 10 years, while males live much shorter after maturing (Foelix, 2011).

Communication

None No airborne 'calls'; communication is not via vocal sound in spiders-Foelix, 2011

Substrate-borne vibration: leg palpation/drumming and body vibrations used in courtship and in threat/territorial contexts; vibrations are transmitted through silk and ground at the burrow entrance General spider communication: Foelix, 2011; Gaskett, 2007

Stridulation: production of audible/near-field sound by rubbing specialized body parts is documented in many theraphosids as a defensive signal; presence/structure varies among genera and is not consistently quantified for *C. lividus* in primary literature Foelix, 2011

Chemical cues Pheromones) on silk draglines and in the environment used for mate finding/sex recognition; males track female silk and chemical signatures (reviewed in Gaskett, 2007; also general spider chemoreception in Foelix, 2011

Tactile signaling during courtship/mating: leg tapping and controlled contact to reduce female aggression and coordinate copulation at the burrow entrance General mygalomorph courtship summarized in Foelix, 2011

Habitat

Rainforest Forest Woodland River/Stream Plantation

Biomes:

Tropical Rainforest Tropical Dry Forest

Terrain:

Hilly Plains Valley Riverine

Elevation: Up to 2296 ft 7 in

Ecological Role

Fossorial nocturnal invertebrate mesopredator in Southeast Asian forest-floor/burrow microhabitats.

Suppresses and regulates local populations of ground-dwelling insects and other arthropods via predation. Transfers energy from abundant detrital/understory insect communities to higher trophic levels (tarantulas are prey for birds, reptiles, mammals, and larger arthropods). Burrowing contributes to soil mixing/aeration and creates refuges/microhabitats that can be secondarily used by other small invertebrates.

Diet Details

Main Prey:

Cockroaches Crickets, katydids and grasshoppers Beetles moths and other large insects Arachnids Small vertebrates

Domestication Status

Wild

Cyriopagopus lividus (cobalt blue tarantula) is wild and not domesticated. There has been no breeding to make them tame; captive stock comes from hobbyist breeding for color and to make more animals. Human contact is pet trade with little handling, zoo and classroom programs, occasional research, and removal near homes. Adults are fast, defensive, and live in burrows.

Danger Level

Moderate

Defensive biting risk is elevated because the species is fast, easily startled, and often stands its ground when disturbed (handling strongly discouraged).
Envenomation can cause immediate intense localized pain; case reports for Old World theraphosids commonly describe swelling, numbness/tingling, and muscle cramping/spasms that may persist for hours to days (systemic effects are uncommon but possible).
Secondary complications: wound infection if the bite is not cleaned; rare severe reactions in sensitized individuals (e.g., allergy/anxiety-related symptoms).
Risk is primarily situational (escape attempts during rehousing/maintenance; reaching into burrows). Proper tools, secure enclosures, and no-handling practices markedly reduce incident likelihood.

As a Pet

Suitable as Pet

Legality: Cobalt Blue Tarantula (Cyriopagopus lividus) is often legal to own in much of the U.S. and other places, but country, state, and local laws vary. Check CITES listings and import and transport permit rules.

Care Level: Expert Only

Purchase Cost: $25 - $300

Lifetime Cost: $300 - $1,200

Economic Value

Uses:

Exotic pet trade (captive-bred emphasis) Education/outreach display animal Scientific interest (venom/behavior; limited formal biomedical use) Invertebrate hobby economy (enclosures, feeders, supplies)

Products:

live specimens (spiderlings/juveniles/adults; captive-bred)
husbandry supplies (terrariums, substrate, hides, water dishes)
feeder insects (crickets, roaches, etc.)

Predators 4

Tarantula-hawk wasp Pompilidae

Spider wasps Pompilidae

Large centipedes Scolopendra spp.

Insectivorous and omnivorous lizards Varanidae and other squamates

Related Species 8

Electric Blue Tarantula Cyriopagopus electricus Shared Genus

Chinese Earth Tiger Cyriopagopus schmidti Shared Genus

Hainan Earth Tiger Cyriopagopus hainanus Shared Genus

Malaysian Earth Tiger Cyriopagopus longipes Shared Genus

Vietnamese Earth Tiger Cyriopagopus vonwirthi Shared Genus

Indian Violet Tarantula Chilobrachys fimbriatus Shared Family

Gooty Sapphire Ornamental Poecilotheria metallica Shared Family

Orange Baboon Tarantula Pterinochilus murinus Shared Family

Ecological Equivalents 6

Animals that fill a similar ecological role in their ecosystem

Electric Blue Tarantula Very similar Old World theraphosid: fast and defensive, and mostly fossorial (burrow-living). Like Cyriopagopus lividus, it is kept for vivid blue coloration and strong burrow use. Females reach ~12–13 cm legspan and live 10–15+ years; males usually live only a few years.

Indian Violet Tarantula Chilobrachys fimbriatus Old World Asian burrower that digs deep, silk-lined retreats; fast and defensive, typically bolting back to its burrow rather than using threat displays; a nighttime ambush hunter on the forest floor.

Gooty Sapphire Ornamental Poecilotheria metallica Different microhabitat (mostly arboreal), but ecologically comparable as a large, fast Old World theraphosid with potent defensive behavior. Often compared in captivity because both are kept for striking blue coloration and require secure, low-stress housing due to speed and defensiveness.

Greenbottle Blue Tarantula Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens Not closely related and from a different biogeographic region (New World), but convergent in captive comparisons (blue legs and heavy web use). Both are sit-and-wait predators that modify their environment with extensive silk and feed primarily on similarly sized arthropod prey.

Singapore Blue Tarantula Lampropelma violaceopes Southeast Asian Old World theraphosid commonly associated with deep retreats and defensive, rapid behavior. Overlaps strongly with C. lividus in the husbandry-relevant niche (humid forest-floor to lower-vegetation predator relying on a retreat) and is compared for dark-bodied violet/blue leg coloration.

Trinidad Chevron Tarantula Psalmopoeus cambridgei No ecological relationship provided.

Cobalt Blue Tarantula Summary

The stunning cobalt blue tarantula is a favorite hobby pet native to the tropical rainforests of Thailand, Burma, and Myanmar. Its blue iridescent coloring makes it popular for tarantula enthusiasts. However, they are one of the most defensive species and prone to unpredictability. This tarantula is an avid burrower and can be quick to stand its ground. Therefore, it’s not recommended for beginner handlers. Thankfully, the cobalt blue tarantula’s venom is not potent enough to kill a human but it can be very painful. These tarantulas do not like to be touched or handled and even babies are quick to bite.

Keep reading to learn more about the fascinating cobalt blue tarantula!

Cobalt Blue Tarantula Species, Types, and Scientific Name

The scientific name of the cobalt blue tarantula is Cyriopagopus lividus. It belongs to the Theraphosidae family, a group comprised of large hairy spiders known as tarantulas. The Cyriopagopus genus consists of Southeast Asian tarantulas found from Myanmar to the Philippines.

Appearance: How to Identify Cobalt Blue Tarantulas

Cobalt blue tarantulas are medium-sized tarantulas famous for their iridescent blue legs and light gray bodies with dark gray chevron patterns. Its leg span is around five inches long and females are slightly larger than males. These spiders look dark from a distance, but the bright blue become apparent the closer you get.

Some studies suggest that tarantulas can see specific colors and that their vibrant coloration is used to attract mates, communicate with others, and conceal them from danger.

Males and females appear similar, but they exhibit sexual dimorphism during the final molting process. After a male’s ultimate molt, its coloration turns bronze, and it develops mating hooks. Females also become larger than males during the final molting and live longer.

Temperament

The cobalt blue tarantula is very popular in the pet trade despite its propensity to bolt and become defensive. These nervous creatures do not like to be held and don’t do well during rehousing or habitat maintenance. Compared to other tarantulas, cobalt blues are unpredictable and readily bite when frightened. Even baby tarantulas are known to inflict a painful bite when handled.

Cobalt blue tarantulas are also fast and contain potent venom. While they don’t produce enough to kill a human, their bites produce a stinging pain, muscle cramps, and inflammation. Some people may develop a more serious allergic response to a tarantula bite.

Habitat: Where to Find Cobalt Blue Tarantulas

In the wild, these tarantulas live in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia. You can find them in several countries, including Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Myanmar. This species faces pressure in its wild habitat due to deforestation and capturing for the pet trade.

They are fossorial species, meaning they dig their own burrows and live underground. Even in captivity, the cobalt blue tarantula spends much of its time inside a burrow and only leaves to find food.

This species needs high humidity and warm temperatures between 77 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Pet tarantulas need lots of moist substrate for burrowing and a large tank. The larger the tank, the less likely they are to bolt up and out the enclosure.

Diet: What Do Cobalt Blue Tarantulas Eat?

If you have a pet cobalt blue, you may notice they only come out of their burrows when its feeding time. These tarantulas have voracious appetites due to their quick growing phases.

They like to stay near the edge of their burrow, waiting for prey to cross their path. Once they snatch their food, they return it to the den before eating at their leisure.

Appropriate food for a cobalt blue tarantula is crickets, mealworms, baby mice, and cockroaches. Before feeding your pet anything from outside, please think twice, as they can contain parasites and pesticides.

It would be best not to feed your cobalt blue during the molting process to prevent damage.

In the wild, cobalt blue tarantulas will consume anything small enough that comes near their dwelling.

FAQ

Are Cobalt Blue Tarantulas Dangerous?

The cobalt blue tarantula contains potent venom for its prey and predators. However, the amount is not enough to kill a human. Its bite can be excruciating, though, and cause swelling, muscle cramps, and allergic reactions.

How Many Legs Does a Cobalt Blue Tarantula Have?

Like other arachnids, cobalt blue tarantulas have eight legs!

How Do You Identify Cobalt Blue Tarantulas?

Its metallic blue legs and light gray body are the easiest way to identify this tarantula. However, it isn’t easy to decipher its coloring from far away. You would need to be closer to discern this species’ actual color. Adult males can also have a tan color.

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Cobalt Blue Tarantula Pictures

View all of our Cobalt Blue Tarantula pictures in the gallery.

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About the Author

Niccoy Walker

Niccoy is a professional writer for A-Z Animals, and her primary focus is on birds, travel, and interesting facts of all kinds. Niccoy has been writing and researching about travel, nature, wildlife, and business for several years and holds a business degree from Metropolitan State University in Denver. A resident of Florida, Niccoy enjoys hiking, cooking, reading, and spending time at the beach.

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