How to Care for Greenbottle Blue Tarantula Spiderlings

Greenbottle blue tarantulas have possibly the most brilliant colors of any tarantula species. They have an orange abdomen, green carapace and blue legs. As a desirable -- and not especially easy to breed species -- the adults often fetch sizable prices. Many tarantula hobbyists prefer to buy babies; called spiderlings. Whether you are raising a new spiderling or your mature tarantulas bred, you need to provide a specific habitat. The needs of greenbottle blue spiderlings are slightly different than those of their parents.

Things You'll Need

  • 8-ounce deli cups
  • 16-ounce deli cups
  • 5-gallon tanks
  • Artist's paintbrush or cosmetic brush
  • Chemical-free potting compost
  • Plant mister
  • Hygrometer
  • Thermometer
  • Live food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Punch numerous small holes in the lids of 8-ounce deli cups. Each spiderling needs a cup to itself.

    • 2

      Add a couple of inches of slightly damp chemical-free potting compost to each cup. You can mix the compost with sand or vermiculite, if desired.

    • 3

      Transfer each spiderling to a cup using another cup and an artist's paintbrush, if necessary, to gently nudge the spiderling into its new home. Don't handle the spiderlings with your bare hands: It could damage them and give you a rash.

    • 4

      Place the cups in a warm place, but not too close to heaters or in direct sunlight. Monitor temperature and humidity levels with a thermometer and hygrometer. As spiderlings, and as adults, this species needs a temperature of approximately 80 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity of about 60 to 70 percent.

    • 5

      Mist the cups once a week. Try to avoid spraying the spiderlings directly.

    • 6

      Feed the spiderlings on small insects such as pinhead crickets or very small mealworms. Feed the spiderlings a couple of insects at a time 2 or 3 times a week. Never feed spiderlings during, or for several days after the molt.

    • 7

      Remove insect remains a day after feeding.

    • 8

      Transfer the spiderlings to bigger deli cups, and finally to 5-gallon tanks, as they grow. Feed them gradually larger insects.