Invertebrates
Cobalt Blue Tarantula
Cyriopagopus lividus · also called cobalt blue tarantulas
Flashing a vivid metallic blue along its legs, a cobalt blue tarantula darts back into its burrow at the first sign of disturbance, a fast and defensive Southeast Asian spider rarely seen for long out in the open.
Overview
The cobalt blue tarantula, Cyriopagopus lividus, is native to forest habitat in Myanmar and nearby parts of Southeast Asia. Its striking metallic blue leg colouring, burrowing lifestyle, and notably defensive temperament make it one of the most visually distinctive yet least handleable tarantulas kept by enthusiasts.
Colour without pigment
The cobalt blue tarantula’s vivid leg colouring is not produced by blue pigment at all, but by microscopic structures within its exoskeleton that scatter light in a way that reflects blue wavelengths, the same basic principle behind the blue of a butterfly wing or a bird’s feather.
Status
Not Evaluated for conservation status, found across suitable forest habitat in Myanmar and nearby Southeast Asia.
Cobalt Blue Tarantula: common questions
Why is the cobalt blue tarantula's colour so vivid?
Like many blue tarantulas, its striking colour is thought to come from microscopic structures in the exoskeleton that scatter light in a way that produces blue, rather than from any blue pigment, a phenomenon called structural colour.
Is the cobalt blue tarantula a good pet for handling?
No, it has a reputation among keepers for being fast-moving and quick to flee or defend itself, making it considered unsuitable for handling despite its popularity for its striking appearance.
Does the cobalt blue tarantula spend much time out in the open?
Rarely; it spends most of its life inside a deep burrow it digs itself, venturing out mainly to hunt near the entrance.
Where is the cobalt blue tarantula found?
It is native to forest habitat in Myanmar and nearby parts of Southeast Asia.