The Gooty Sapphire Ornamental better known as the p.metallica is a species of tarantula known widely due to its very bright blue metallic color and complex pattern design on its abdomen and torso. It has been considered to be one of the most beautiful of its species. Originally from India, it is an arboreal that spends most of its time up in the trees of the Andhra Pradesh forest of India. The p.metallica can reach full growth anywhere between 8 months to 5 years. Growth for these animals is dependent on many factors such as  how much you feed them, what you feed them, enclosure humidity, temperature and even stress. While males live to be about 5 or 6 years old females can live upwards of 9 or more. At full adult size they will have a leg span of anywhere between 6 to 9 inches in length.

pmetallica

 

Habitat:

Being that the Gooty Sapphire Ornamental is an arboreal species your enclosure should be more tall then wide preferably a 15 gallon tank. Make sure you give it enough space to climb up and down as it pleases. Make sure your substrate is very damp and give it about 2 inches of it. In addition add a piece of bark vertically so it can climb up it. Make sure to also have a hide should it need it. Water is also key so make sure it has a decent water dish that is always full. Keep the temperature 78 to 88 degrees and a humidity level of 65 to 70 percent.

 

Feeding:

These animals get big before you know it. Though you might start off with just small to large crickets you will soon need to upgrade to some B. Dubia roaches to keep feeding it enough.

 

Attitude:

These are extremely fast tarantulas and can be very aggressive if provoked. Their bite is very painful due to their big fangs and potent venom. Though not deadly you should not handle this tarantula.

 

For any additional help feel free to ask.