Hope for Gooty Sapphire Tarantulas at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo
Sometimes, the smallest animals are the ones who are in greatest need of our help. The Gooty sapphire tarantula is one such species, and the Rosamond Gifford Zoo is doing our part to preserve and to sustain this fascinating, important spider.
The Gooty sapphire tarantula (Poecilotheria metallica) is native to a very small area of southeast India. True to the “sapphire” part of their name, Gooty sapphire tarantulas sport a brilliant blue color that develops as they mature. Typically, males display a brighter blue color than females. Although their eyesight is poor, they are photosensitive, meaning they can sense light. As an ambush predator, Gooty sapphire tarantulas will patiently wait to sense vibrations that signal their prey is nearby and strike suddenly. Their diet includes moths, crickets, and other insects. Like many spider species, Gooty sapphire tarantulas live solitarily in the wild. While males might live for three to four years, females can survive up to twelve years.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) designates the Gooty sapphire tarantula as a critically endangered species, meaning that they face a high risk of extinction in the wild. Their population continues to decline at an alarming rate. Habitat destruction and the exotic pet trade are their biggest threats. Gooty sapphire tarantulas are an arboreal species, meaning they typically live in trees. When these trees are harvested, usually to be sold as firewood, Gooty sapphire tarantulas are left with no place to live. Gooty sapphire tarantulas brought into the pet trade are often cruelly captured from the wild or bred to be sold, subjected to less-than-ideal conditions, and, if they survive, end up in someone’s ill-equipped personal terrarium.
Despite their critically endangered status, few Gooty sapphire tarantulas live under human care at facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA.) Although it might look easy to take care of a tarantula, proper care is a labor-intensive process that requires invertebrate husbandry expertise and access to specialized resources that provide the species with all they need to thrive. The Rosamond Gifford Zoo’s team of Herpetology/Aquariums/Terrestrial Invertebrates caretakers leverages such knowledge and resources to provide the best care possible to the five Gooty sapphire tarantulas living at the zoo. Not only that, but our team is hoping to be able to produce new generations of Gooty sapphire tarantulas. The long-term goal of this exciting endeavor is threefold: to bolster the population of Gooty sapphire tarantulas, to discover best-practices of promoting wellbeing for the species, and to inspire other AZA zoos and aquariums to care for Gooty sapphire tarantulas.
According to Collection Manager of Herpetology/Aquariums/Terrestrial Invertebrates, Leisje C. Meates, “If we were able to produce spiderlings, we would be able to share them with other zoos so more institutions can exhibit [the species] for educational purposes.” Sharing the story of Gooty sapphire tarantulas is a critical step for conservation. We want to inspire the public to join our mission to conserve all wildlife, including the invertebrates who might be overlooked such as Gooty sapphire tarantulas. “If someone, [whether through a local government, nonprofit, or other conservation authority] decided to start a reintroduction program, their genetics might make them viable participants to breed new generations that could possibly be candidates for release,” notes Meates. Releasing animals into the wild involves raising them in a biosecure facility (to prevent zoonotic diseases from being introduced into wild populations), tracking genetics to ensure the population is sustainable (through keeping a studbook), and meeting other criteria intended to foster successful integration into the wild.
Five Gooty sapphire tarantulas live at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo: a five-year-old female named Ulrich and four juvenile spiderlings named Andhra, Sau, Lotus, and Poppet. You can visit Ulrich at the USS Antiquities Cave in her habitat above the eastern hellbender habitat. The four juveniles are off exhibit in a specialized holding space behind the scenes so they can grow and develop safely. As the spiderlings develop, their caretakers will be able to tell their sexes based on their coloring and molting (or skin-shedding) patterns. Males stop molting once they hit maturity, but females continue to molt once a year.
One of the primary challenges of caring for Gooty sapphire tarantulas is that there is very little research on effective husbandry practices for the species. Currently, the species does not have a Species Survival Plan (SSP), meaning that there is no comprehensive record-sharing system between zoos. To overcome this challenge, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo carefully observes and documents the behaviors and actions that our five Gooty sapphire tarantulas display in response to their diet, habitat space, enrichment offerings, and more.
“Observing their behavior and keeping records of the data are really important parts of the work,” says Liam McCarthy, Herpetology/Aquariums/Terrestrial Invertebrates Keeper. “For tarantulas especially, there are a lot of presumptions about their behavior that circulate that haven’t been entirely accurate. We want a deeper understanding backed by evidence to share with others about good husbandry practices.” That deeper understanding McCarthy and the rest of the team seek, he explains, contributes to the overall wellbeing of the Gooty sapphire tarantulas. “Seeing our tarantulas eat well, dig burrows, molt healthily, and make use of their exhibit space tells us that we are providing them with what they need to thrive. A lot of invertebrate care is preventive, so the more we can do to keep them healthy and happy, the better off they are long-term.”
Consistent monitoring also helps the team notice when animals hit important milestones in their lifespan, which is vital for coordinating breeding activities. Timing is key for successful Gooty sapphire tarantula breeding. Because females undergo a molt once a year, breeding must occur after they molt. Otherwise, the developing eggs would be lost in her molt. They can lay between 60-100 eggs, which is called a clutch, in a secluded burrow. As that clutch develops, the mother will rotate the eggs in the egg sac daily to support their development. Once the penny-sized spiderlings hatch, they emerge venomous and ready to live independently.
One strong indication that Ulrich is thriving on habitat is that she maintains a good body condition. Her diet includes silk moths, caterpillars, crickets, and her personal favorite, hornworms. “I’ve noticed rotating the diet to include a variety of insects, rather than just one single species of insect, has been good for promoting wellbeing in tarantulas. […] The fact that she is so visible and comfortable speaks to that,” McCarthy proudly declares. “[Ulrich] doesn’t exhibit those typical nervous behaviors of always hiding away, and I think that’s a result of having good husbandry practices.” Some of Ulrich’s most occupied spots in her habitat are basking atop a branch structure under the light, hanging out on the side of a rock near the front right corner of the space, and, occasionally, inside the burrow she dug out of the substrate.
Ulrich’s choice to be visible while on habitat is good news. Not only does it indicate that she is flourishing, but it can be the start to advocating for the species through public education. “We really encourage people not to be afraid [of tarantulas and other invertebrate species,]” emphasizes McCarthy. Despite common fears and myths of aggression, tarantulas generally are a shy species, much more likely to flee from a perceived threat rather than bite. More importantly, Gooty sapphire tarantulas serve a vital role in their natural ecosystems. While they might look scary or dangerous at first glance, spiders are very beneficial to most environments. Spiders keep pest populations in check, pollinate plant life, and help maintain balance by contributing to an area’s biodiversity.
You can help preserve Gooty sapphire tarantulas in the wild by making sure that when you purchase wooden products, you choose ethically sourced products. Additionally, appreciating spiders and other invertebrates is crucial for their protection locally and globally. “One of the best ways to do that,” advises McCarthy, “is to get outside and to notice what you see: spiders, bees, beetles, flies… There’s a whole world of amazing creatures hidden in your own backyard.”
The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is proud to be doing our part to save the Gooty sapphire tarantula from extinction. Follow us for updates on Ulrich, Andhra, Sau, Lotus, Poppet and our work to conserve the species!
