The Neon Blue Leg Tarantula, or Birupes simoroxigorum, is a new addition to the tarantula family. New species are discovered all the time, but the introduction of a new species is always controversial. It was first found in the 19th century, and there’s been plenty of debate about whether it should be introduced.
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ToggleSome consider it the most beautiful spider in the world. If that’s true for you, you could have one in your collection. You may be surprised to learn that the extract was made without the permission of its home country. Actually, collecting specimens of wildlife from their natural habitat is illegal in some countries. It is also possible to get your hands on an endangered species that is being bred in captivity. Although the captive bred specimens don’t put additional pressure on the wild population, it is still illegal to do so and will likely get you into trouble.
This is a new species of tarantula and there are no specific information yet about how best to care for it. It is too soon to know what to do for specific care needs. We’ve learned about this tarantula’s habitat, and now we know more about its habits. As a result, we can provide safe care tips to help enthusiasts care for the tarantula safely.
Neon Blue Leg Tarantula Description
In Asia, this little arachnid is also known as the Bornean Blue Leg Tarantula, but more commonly referred to as the Sarawak Blue Tarantula. The Birupes simoroxigorum is a tarantula species native to the tropical rainforests of Borneo. These tarantulas are a terrestrial species and necessitate burrowers, so they’ll spend time inside their holes. When they go out, the bright blue color on their legs makes them attractive and gorgeous. These spiders are old world so they don’t have urticating hairs, but they have venom that’s more potent than most New World species.
Scientific Name | Birupes simoroxigorum |
Family | Theraphosidae |
Common Name | Bornean Neon Blue Leg Tarantula |
Category | Old World |
Type | Terrestrial Burrower |
Native Location | Borneo, Malaysia |
Leg Span | 5 inches (12cm) |
Growth Speed | Fast |
Urticating Hairs | No |
Social | Solitary |
Diet | Insects: crickets, roaches |
Temperature | 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit |
Humidity | 75 to 85% |
Life Expectancy | Unknown |
Recommended Experience Level | Intermediate |
Minimum tank size | 3 to 5 gallons, width more important than height |
Physical Appearance
The Neon Blue Leg Tarantula has blue colors so bright that you would think that she had eight blue neon signs on her body. Her appearance is all about her bright blue legs and creamy brown body. This spider species is not a very large spider. In the case of tarantula species, males are usually a little bit smaller than females.
Males don’t have the electric blue legs that females are so well known for. You’ll also notice that there’s a little bit of light blue. This is because the crab is getting ready to molt. The blue color will return right after molt. It will take longer than before, but it will come back just as quickly as ever.
Neon Blue Leg Tarantula for Sale and Price
This is the new tarantula on the block for hobbyists. It’s fun to take it out for walks, or even to watch for its behavior. This is an excellent investment, the shortage of breeding and the demand due to its attractive colors have driven up the price. A blue leg tarantula will run between $90 and $180, depending on where you find it.
Young adult prices vary depending on their sex. Females cost around $360, and males cost a whopping $1,400. Young adult is one of the most affordable age groups to adopt, because they’re usually cheaper than their older counterparts. To buy spiders safely, always buy them from reputable vendors that breed spiders in captivity rather than buying them as wild-caught spiders.
You should be careful about where you purchase your spider. The best spiders are bred in captivity so you know they are wild-caught. No one enjoys spiders, and we certainly don’t want to remove them from their natural habitat.
Behavior and Temperament
The Bornean Blue Leg Tarantula is a peaceful tarantula. It won’t jump or burrow away at first glance of you approaching it. so it’s possible to open the tank and stare at it. Tarantulas usually take their time before jumping on their prey, so they’re not the most ferocious feeder.
Once scared, they will quickly move to find a safe place to hide. They won’t assume a threatening position until they are in real danger of being attacked, so Neon Blue Leg Tarantula is not dangerous. The venom of a tarantula has a relative lack of toxicity. This means that although they are aggressive, there is no way to use the spider’s venom to kill you. Some Old World spider species have a potent venom, so it’s important to be careful when handling them.
Housing for Neon Blue Leg Tarantula
Even though the Sarawak Blue Tarantula lives most of its life underground, where it’s surrounded by a web, it likes to have lots of spaces to hide. Adding many decorative elements, such as artificial plants, leaves, and bark, will not only beautify the terrarium but also make it more comfortable for the tarantula.
As for size, a tank of at least three to five gallons should be enough for adults, one quart for juveniles, and around sixteen ounces for slings. Since this is a terrestrial species, always make sure that it’s taller than it is wide.
Substrate
Bornean blue leg tarantulas are obligate burrowers, so you should make sure they have enough space to burrow. The substrate for young spiderlings and younglings should be three inches. And the substrate for adult spiders should be five inches.
Despite being small spiders, they enjoy burrowing deep holes in the ground. Peat moss and coconut fiber make the best combination for spiderlings. If you’re going to have spiderlings it will help to dig a hole that’s easy to dig into and hide in.
Temperature and Humidity
These little Birupes simoroxigorum are found in Southeast Asia. Their bite is extremely painful. Temperatures usually range between 79°F to 84°F at nighttime and 86°F to 95°F during the day. Most spiders should be kept in captivity at a temperature of about 80°F to 85°F. However, if you have an aggressive spider that attacks or bites humans and other pets, keep it somewhere between 45°F and 60°F. Humidity is approximately 80% in Borneo, so 75% to 85% will be good enough for your blue tarantulas.
It’s important to control the humidity of your growing space if you want to grow the best plants possible. One of the most effective tools to help you with the humid climate is to get a humidifier. Alternatively, you can use a sphagnum moss to increase the moisture of the air by letting it dry and then rehydrating it. If those things are still not enough you can spray their enclosure occasionally.
Watering
It’s often steady when the tank is opened, so having a water dish inside the tank and constantly refilling it isn’t tricky for experienced hobbyists. It is best to keep the substrate moist and keep it cool when the cover is dry. This bedding requires deep, cool, moist soil, and is perfect for a cat who enjoys a cool, damp burrow. To get this dripping effect, you should drip water down the tank wall at least once a week.
Social Behavior
Tarantulas, while not all tarantulas, are capable of living in large colonies or groups. This is true for most species of spiders, but the neon blue leg, or “blue-legged tarantula should be kept solitary. Tarantulas are very territorial and will only interact when it’s time to breed.
Diet and Feeding
The Bornean Neon Blue Leg Tarantula is a terrestrial spider species that feeds on small invertebrates such as ants and beetles. Insects are their primary source of food, and they should eat a variety of different insects. These spiders have bad reputations as eaters and skittish ones at that.
Slings should feed on a cricket or a flightless fruit fly twice a week, and young slings should feed on a roach weekly. Some hobbyists feed their insects every seven to ten days, while others claim to keep large crickets or medium cockroaches. You may not have to keep up with their food intake, but it’s always a good idea to pay attention to their abdomens to know if they need more or less food.
Tarantulas can’t drink when they’re adults. They have to drink water from a bowl. A baby’s sling is a must for anyone who is expecting or nursing an infant. It keeps baby close while you are walking and prevents them from falling off.
Reproduction and Breeding of Neon Blue Leg Tarantula
There isn’t any consensus around breeding techniques for the Bornean Neon Blue Leg Tarantula, but if you get good advice, you can successfully raise them in captivity. It’s still very early to predict the exact number of hobbyists who will breed these beautiful spiders, since there are not enough hobbyists breeding them yet.
If you’re going to attempt breeding them, make sure they’re fed well, the room temperature and humidity are comfortable for them, and don’t leave them alone for more than three hours during their interaction to guard the male against any harm. Tarantulas have large numbers of eggs, which develop into adults. The adults often have a few hundred legs and grow very quickly. If you’re not sure how to get started with tarantula control, you could end up with hundreds of kid tarantulas that are difficult to remove and may take months to find homes for.
Conclusion
The current popularity of the Neon Blue Leg Tarantula is well-deserved and make it worth buying. It’s bright, bold and a wonderful addition to anyone’s home. These tarantulas are a lovely old world species whose colorful, appealing appearance makes them an eye-catching exhibit. The fact that they are such a new addition to the spider family doesn’t mean we know everything about them. It makes caring for them more difficult. Tarantulas are not all created equal, and many will tell you that the best ones to get are from a reputable breeder who has the spiders in their own home.
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