Skip to main content

Meet Misery


This is one of our tarantulas that does not have a Disney name.

She is a P. Metallica. We keep her in a

taller enclosure, she hides most of the time but lately

she has been coming out to show off her very vibrant beautiful colors.

She is also one of the most venomous tarantulas out there

( I really need to get myself an epi pen)

because Cory has a lot of T’s that are on the

top of the venomous charts. Misery loves to

eat crickets and Dubia roaches.


More info on the P. Metallica:


Poecilotheria metallica, also known as the

peacock tarantula, is an Old World species of tarantula.

It is the only blue species of the genus Poecilotheria. 


Like others in its genus it exhibits an intricate fractal-like

pattern on the abdomen. The species' natural habitat is

deciduous forest in Andhra Pradesh, in central southern India.

It has been classified as Critically endangered by the IUCN.


Poecilotheria metallica has similar intricate geometric body

coloration as other Poecilotheria species, but it is the only

species in the genus to be covered in blue hair. 


While it is young, P. metallica is less chromatic, the coloring

turns to blue as it matures.

This blue is much less prominent in mature males. 


Males also have more slender bodies, and their legs are longer.

The definitive trait of a mature male are the revelation of

emboli at the end of their pedipalps

following their "mature molt."


Females can be determined through molt confirmations

before maturity. When full size, the leg span of

P. metallica is 15–20 cm (6–8 in).


Poecilotheria metallica's behavior parallels that

of many arboreal spiders. In the wild, P. metallica

lives in holes of tall trees where it

makes asymmetric funnel webs. 


The primary prey consists of various flying insects.

Spiders of this genus may live communally when territory,

i.e. the number of holes per tree, is limited. 


The species is skittish and will try to flee first, and will

also flee when light shines upon it, as it is a photosensitive species.

Under provocation, however, members of the species may bite.


There has never been a recorded human death from its bite.

However, P. metallica's bite is considered

medically significant, with venom that may

cause intense pain, judging from the experience of

keepers bitten by other spiders in the genus.


The vast majority are "dry bites," where no venom

is injected into the handler. The mechanical effects of

the bite can still be worrisome, as an adult's fangs can

reach nearly 3/4 of an inch in length. 


P. metallica can move rapidly and may defend itself when cornered.

Venom may produce a heart-rate increase followed

by sweating, headache, stinging, cramping, or swelling.

Effects can last for up to a week. However in extreme

bites from the genus Poecilotheria, effects

may still be felt months later.


P. metallica has been bred in captivity for more

than ten years and is popular with tarantula enthusiasts,

and has a high demand due to its attractive coloration. 


It is sometimes priced above $500 in the United States,

but as a spiderling is typically between $100 and $200.

As with most tarantulas, the spider's sex can influence price

- females generally being more

expensive because of their longer life. 


Members of the species are hardy, relatively

fast-growing spiders that are generally fed crickets,

but may also eat moths, grasshoppers and cockroaches.


P. metallica measures between 15 and 20 cm (6 and 8 in) in leg span

when fully grown. In captivity, humid environments with

temperatures between 18 and 24 °C (64 and 75 °F)

and a humidity level of 75 to 85% are preferred.


P. metallica is classified as Critically Endangered by

the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

due to its occurrence in a single, small area in which

habitat is rapidly degrading due to logging and firewood harvesting. 


Another threat identified by IUCN assessors is specimen

collection for the pet trade. Population size is unknown,

but the combination of its small natural range and the

habitat threats indicate a declining population trend.


Hope you enjoyed learning about one of Cory's favorite tarantulas

even though everytime we go live on Tik Tok

he brings out a spider and says "this is my favorite spider"

he just loves them all. 😂


















 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

DIY Candy Corn Sugar Scrub

  Okay, okay last day of fall sugar scrubs for now. This recipe makes about 1 1/2c What you need: 1 1/2c sugar 1/2c coconut oil 1tsp vanilla extract 4 drops vitamin e oil orange food gel yellow food gel small mason jars Create: Add the sugar, vanilla, vitamin e and coconut oil in a bowl and mix with a mixer. Divide the mixture evenly into 3 small bowls. Set aside one bowl (this will be for the white section of the candy corn). To the second bowl, add a third of the sugar and a small amount of orange food gel with a toothpick. Add more color if needed. Set aside. Add a small add a third of the sugar amount of yellow food gel to the third bowl and stir well, add more color if needed. Set aside. The other bowl should have your white sugar in it. Grab your mason jar and place the yellow mixture first, then the orange and then the white.
Post a Comment
Read more

DIY Water Candle

  Your options are endless, you can add colored rocks, little plastic cartoon characters like nemo and dory and so much more! What you'll need & how to make glass candle holders water glass beads or gems/whatever you want in your candle Place your desired beads, gems etc in the glass candle holder Fill with water Now you will need a piece of plastic (you can use a food container for this) Cut out a small round piece that will fit in the glass container Carefully cut a hole in the middle Next you will need birthday candles (these burn the longest) Carefully remove the wax from the outside of the candle wick Soak the wick in oil for a few minute and then place the wick in the hole made in the plastic piece Now place about 1-2" of veggie or canola oil in the glass Place the plastic piece with the wick in the water and oil Now all you gotta do is light your wick
Post a Comment
Read more

Fall Simmering Potpourri

I love the smell of fall, I even like fall itself.  I just don't like what follows... winter!  However I love walking in my home and smelling  the fall scents that are so warm and inviting. Making this simmering potpourri is extremely easy! What you'll need: Tangerine or orange peels Cloves Cinnamon sticks or ground cinnamon Vanilla extract Pumpkin pie spice Water Small crockpot, saucepan or tea kettle You can choose how much you want to put in  of what, there really is no magic amount. I normally put  in more of my favorite scents. If using a tea kettle  or a sauce pan keep in mind you will have to keep  adding water to it. If you use a crockpot you  will not have to keep adding water and you can keep  it on even when you're asleep. Some other ideas that you can add are: Apple juice (instead of water) Cranberries Nutmeg Anise (one of my favorites) Dried fruit Coffee beans Have you ever made a simmering potpourri pot?  What do you normal...
Post a Comment
Read more