most colorful tarantulas

The Dazzling World of Colorful Tarantulas

Tarantulas are often thought of as big, hairy, brown spiders But there is an amazing variety of species that come in a rainbow of incredible colors From vibrant blues to shocking pinks, these colorful tarantulas can make for a visually stunning addition to any insect collection. In this article, we’ll look at some of the most vibrant and beautiful tarantulas found in nature.

What Makes Tarantulas Colorful?

Most tarantulas have rather muted colors like black, brown, or gray. This helps them blend into their environments and avoid predators. But certain species have evolved bright and elaborate coloring through natural selection.

Vibrant colors in tarantulas are caused by pigments like pterins, carotenoids, quinones, and uric acid derivatives. Blue hues are structural colors rather than pigments. They come from nanostructures on the spider’s exterior that reflect light.

Some reasons colorful tarantulas may have evolved

• Warning coloration – Bright colors can signal toxicity or bad taste to potential predators.

• Camouflage – In some environments, vivid colors can help tarantulas blend in better.

• Attracting mates – Bright male tarantulas may be more successful at finding and impressing females.

• Mimicry – Some tarantulas mimic the appearance of more dangerous insects like wasps.

18 of the Most Stunningly Colored Tarantula Species

Here are 18 species of tarantulas that really showcase the visual splendor of these fascinating spiders.

1. Indian Ornamental (Poecilotheria metallica)

With its gleaming blue legs, bright white markings, and orange abdomen, the Indian ornamental tarantula is a true show-stopper. Native to a small area of India, it’s one of the most sought-after species due to its incredible beauty. These heavy webbers tend to be very fast and nervous though.

1. Gooty Sapphire (Poecilotheria metallica)

Closely related to the Indian ornamental, the Gooty sapphire also exhibits that same stunning mix of metallic blue, white, and gold on its legs and body. Its limited distribution in India has led to extensive illegal collection and trafficking sadly. This skittish arboreal species requires lots of cross-ventilation.

1. Singapore Blue (Lampropelma violaceopes)

A relatively new species only discovered in 1994, the Singapore blue tarantula lives up to its name with dark blue and purple hues covering its legs. In addition to being absolutely gorgeous, this species is also known for being quite docile and tolerant of handling.

1. Violet Tarantula (Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens)

Also known as the greenbottle blue tarantula, this Venezuelan species has a dark blue-green carapace and beautiful violet-colored stripes on its legs. It’s a great display spider, as it spends a lot of time out in the open webbing. This species does have very irritating urticating hairs though.

1. Cobalt Blue (Haplopelma lividum)

This gorgeous Asian tarantula is covered in iridescent cobalt blue hair. Contrasted against the black legs and orange highlights, it’s a truly vibrant look. They can be defensive and fast, so careful handling is required. But their visible appearance makes up for the challenge.

1. Mexican Flame Knee (Brachypelma auratum)

Inhabiting Mexico’s pine-oak forests, the flame knee tarantula has orange and red striping on its jointed legs that really stands out. They’re a slow growing species that tops out around 5 inches. While timid, they will flick irritating hairs if disturbed.

1. Salmon Pink Birdeater (Lasiodora parahybana)

As one of the larger tarantula species, the salmon pink birdeater has a legspan up to 10 inches. These beauties from Brazil and Ecuador have pink hair interspersed across their brown bodies. While they look intimidating, they tend to move slowly and have friendly dispositions.

1. Chilean Rose (Grammostola rosea)

The Chilean rose tarantula is one of the most commonly kept species due to its mild temperament, hardiness, and incredible colors. Ranging from dark brown to gray with pink undertones, these big hairy spiders are very easy to care for. They only need modest humidity and lower temperatures.

1. Mexican Fireleg (Brachypelma boehmei)

True to its name, the Mexican fireleg has bright red and orange setae covering its front legs. They are a great display spider, as they spend lots of time outside of their burrows. But these beauties can shoot urticating hairs, so caution is advised when maintaining their tanks.

1. Costa Rican Stripe Knee (Aphonopelma seemanni)

This handsome Central American tarantula has lovely vertical stripe markings on its legs. The stripes can range from light gray to dark brown with black outlines. Under the right light conditions, they exhibit a stunning metallic sheen. Plus, stripe knees tend to be docile and long-lived.

1. Arizona Blonde (Aphonopelma chalcodes)

Hailing from the southwestern United States, the Arizona blonde tarantula has a lighter brown or tan carapace contrasted against a dark abdomen and black legs. They are very hardy, only needing a bit of supplemental moisture to thrive. This is one of the calmer and easier to handle species out there.

1. Brazilian Black (Grammostola pulchra)

Considered one of the mostdocile tarantula species, the Brazilian black has a stunning jet black appearance from head to toe. They are slower growing but can reach a large legspan around 8 inches. These terrestrial spiders tend to sit out in the open, making them a great display choice.

1. Mexican Red Leg (Brachypelma emilia)

This Mexican species exhibits brilliant red striping on the upper segments of its legs. Their carapace ranges from black to brown. They are relatively easy to care for but do have urticating hairs. Mexican red legs will spend much of their time tucked away in their burrows.

1. Mexican Red Knee (Brachypelma hamorii)

Yet another stunning Brachypelma beauty from Mexico, the Mexican red knee has vibrant red markings on the upper joints of its front legs. They are slower growing, reaching about 6 inches full grown. Their temperament can range from quite docile to semi-defensive. Proper handling is important with this species.

1. Chaco Golden Knee (Grammostola pulchripes)

Hailing from South America, the Chaco golden knee tarantula lives up to its name with thick golden setae on its front legs. Ranging in color from dark black to lighter brown, they also have vivid orange highlights on their knees and feet. They only grow to about 5 inches in size but pack a lot of visual impact.

1. Yellow-Banded Poison Tarantula (Pterinochilus murinus)

Also known as the orange baboon tarantula, this African species has black legs boldly ringed with yellow bands. Their carapace can range from orange to olive green. They are extremely fast and can be very defensive, so careful handling is crucial with this beautiful but infamous species.

1. Gooty Ornamental (Poecilotheria metallica)

This striking blue tarantula from India has a legspan around 4 inches. Its legs exhibit brilliant metallic turquoise coloration. Smaller than its close relative the Indian ornamental, the Gooty ornamental is just as vibrantly hued. They are fast and nervous though, with potent venom.

1. Antilles Pinktoe (Caribena versicolor)

Native to the Caribbean islands, the Antilles pinktoe tarantula has a dark brown body with bright pink-tipped feet. As arboreal spiders, they require taller enclosures with ample anchoring points to create their distinctive webs. They tend to be somewhat high-strung but make gorgeous display spiders.

The Dazzling Realm of Colorful Tarantulas

While many people imagine tarantulas as big, brown, fuzzy spiders, there is an enormous level of diversity in color and patterning across species. Splatters of blue, shocking pink, vibrant orange, and more can decorate these fascinating creatures. For tarantula enthusiasts, picking one of these brilliantly colored species can add an extra visual element sure to impress. With proper care in meeting their habitat needs, these countlessly hued spiders will continue to dazzle in collections around the world.