Poecilotheria metallica (Gooty Ornamental)
Description
P. metallica is a species of tarantula. It reflects brilliant metallic blue color. This whole genus of arboreal tarantulas exhibits an intricate fractal-like pattern on the abdomen. The spider's natural habitat is primarily Southeastern India and Sri Lanka. P. metallica was first discovered in a town in central southern India called Gooty. Hence, its common name is Gooty Sapphire Ornamental Tree Spider, or simply Gooty Sapphire.
The species is found in a single location, which is severely fragmented. The extent of occurrence is less than 100 km2. India: Andhra Pradesh: Reserve forest between Nandyal and Giddalur.
The type description stated the species as occurring in Gooty, which is wrong since although the animal was caught in the railway timber yard in Gooty, the specimen could have come from the Eastern Ghats, which is at least 100 km away. Molur et al. (in press) rediscovered the species after 102 years in 2001 in a highly disturbed forest between Nandyal and Giddalur. Other surveys have not indicated the presence of this easily-identifiable species in any other locality. However, traders have put up this spider on sale after collecting some adults from the said area or nearby. Since information on their collection area is not available, it is presumed that they could have collected only from the nearby location and not from the protected Gundlabrahmeshwaram Wildlife Sanctuary.
Taxonomy
- Scientific Name: Poecilotheria metallica
- Described By: Pocock, 1899
- Common Name: Gooty Ornamental, Gooty Tarantula, Metallic Tarantula, Peacock Parachute Spider, Peacock Tarantula, Salepurgu
Habitat and Ecology
- Origin: India, Sri Lanka
- Temperature: 22-26°C (71.6-78.8°F)
- Humidity: 70%
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Tarantula Details
- Type: Arboreal
- Movement: Fast
- Diet: Spiderlings eat flightless fruit flies or pin-head crickets as well as small roaches, while adults eat crickets, roaches or the occasional pinkie mouse.
- Growth: Fast
- Full Grown Size: Adults range between 14 - 18cm (Largest found online 22cm)
- Lifespan: Males +-2years while females have been recorded to live over the 10 year mark
- Temper: Prefers flight to fight
- Venom Potency: Causes Extreme Pain
Breeding
- Difficulty: Extreme
- Egg sac size: 30-70
- Danger to Male: Probable / High sexual cannibalism
Last updated
Tuesday, 10 April 2012Total Views :
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Community Feedback (9)
Andrew
Anyone know where i can get P.Metallica from?
Rohan Young
andrew
Hrvoje
But you have to be really expert in tarantulas if you plan to get one.
George Britz
lee
Henry
Deon van Zyl
Tai Slabbert