Haplopelma lividum (Cobalt Blue)

[tnguyen]

What are some important things to know when keeping these guys? I been looking at photos and have become very interested in them. Thanks!

 

[Mike H.]

They need deep substrate to burrow in...then you will not see them very often...once a burrow has established they rarely venture out...


Regards, Mike

 

[RichardDegville]

one thing I always wanted to know " Why is a cobalt blue blue? "

 

[Nerri1029]

I absolutely love my H. lividum...

She is mysterious.. and sure most of the time she's a pet hole.. but when you do get to see her.. it's very cool..

they are less blue in person unless the light is at the right angle..
they are more like a dark midnight blue.. even better in my book..

She is beautiful but dangerous.. and will bite to defend herself..

I named mine Chiana after the Farscape character..


BE warned... they can take a long time to "warm up" to their new digs..
took mine almost 3 weeks..

 

[Washout]

I gave mine 3-4 inches of substrate to burrow in and a deep cup to get it started. But it has decided that since there is only another 3 inches to the top of it's enclosure, and I keep it in the dark for 20 hours a day it dosen't need to burrow. So I'm lucky and just get to look at it whenever I want.

 

[Randy]

seriously if you are buying a h lividium u r buying a"Pet hole" LOL yeah when it has established a burrow, u will hardly see it.. !

 

[MrArachnid]

What are some important things to know when keeping these guys? I been looking at photos and have become very interested in them. Thanks!

I've had my Haplopelma lividum "Beatrix Kiddo" for about three months, I purchased her from J.P(A dude from Arachnoboards) and I must admit during my amateur state of owning only one Tarantula(not that I'm an expert now) I can remember feeling intimidated at the thought of owning a cobalt-blue. However, time passed and I purchased many more Tarantulas and the Haplopelma lividum ended up being my fourth Tarantula and I've loved having her, she's been a real joy. Now as far as the aggressive and or defensive behavior that precede's these little blue beauties, I have yet to encounter any.

I think like once, my cobalt fell or jumped from near the top of her enclosure down onto the substrate and to me it looked like she was almost in threat posture, but other than that no sign of defensiveness at all. She's molted once since I've had her, she looks amazing. She eats well, stays in her burrow most of the time although fortunately the way she designed it allows me to look in on her at anytime with a flashlight. So, my advice would be to learn what you can, stay glued to Arachnoboards and basically just use a deep substrate, I use peat moss and soil...thats about it, really. Good luck and enjoy!

-Sincerely, Mr.Arachnid

 

[metzgerzoo]

...and don't forget, they are very FAST pet holes who often aquire a taste for soft bristled brushes, rubber tipped forcups and any other item that is unlucky enough to land in their possession due to a not tight enough grip from a quick strike.

 

[xanadu1015]

My mother's cobalt "Zelda" is quite a lady. I get to see her often since she lurks near the top of her burrow and will come up after anything that disturbs her "hole". Other than that I have no trouble with her. They are very fast and can be defensive or aggressive.

All you need to do is give them space and lots of respect

What everyone has mentioned about lots of substrate is absolutely true. They like to have their own caves, so they need plenty of substrate to dig in. Most lividums can be real bulldozers. They do prefer dark and quiet spaces, so keeping their enclosure in an area where there isn't a lot of light and noise should be perfect. You don't need to have their dirt soaking wet, some prefer damp conditions and some don't mind dry. But keeping the dirt slightly damp will also aid in keeping their burrows from collasping.

Have fun

Laura

 

[SpiderJoe]

The CB kick's ass...

Hi,

I have posted a little story some time ago, that illustrates a bit how a CB can be.. Of course this is not always so, there are execeptions, but they are hard to find, the CB is a very spunky T, and I really agree with giving them, and of course all T's, the highest form of respect.

Here's the post:

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?p=301244#post301244

 

[rknralf]

I set mine up in a 5.5 gallon aquarium with a large piece of corek bark. I dug an artificial burrow under the bark which she used for about a year. After that, she dug her own burrow on the side of the aquarium and constructed a large funnel web entrance. I haven't seen her in about 6 months, but I know she is fine. The crickets keep disappearring and her water has been soiled on a regular basis. I'm guessing she is only active late in the night after alls been quiet.
As for seeing her colors, I've never had a problem. Even without additional lighting, she has always shown royal blue. I too have always wondered what purpose the coloration has?

 

[D4RK-3L3M3NT]

I gave mine 3-4 inches of substrate to burrow in and a deep cup to get it started. But it has decided that since there is only another 3 inches to the top of it's enclosure, and I keep it in the dark for 20 hours a day it dosen't need to burrow. So I'm lucky and just get to look at it whenever I want.

Likewise! It used to burrow, but all of a sudden it decided to bury the burrow and just hang out at the very top, she also webbed a lot an kept in a dark room. I guess that replaces the original burrow.

 

[Martin H.]

Hi,

What are some important things to know when keeping these guys? I been looking at photos and have become very interested in them. Thanks!

in this thread >>click me<< you'll find photos and infos on how I keep my Haplopelma species and other obligate burrowers and how to construct tanks for them in which you can see and observe them without digging them out.

all the best,
Martin

 

[Mattyb]

I'm also thinking about getting one. People say you never see them but i think thats wrong...every T has its own personality. people said i would never see my tiger rump, and she is out everynight looking for food...i see all my Ts atleast once or twice a day. I think its all on how your Ts personality is.



-Mattyb

 

[cricket54]

As Laura has said above, we really love our H. lividum here. I got her as a trade from Garrick and he had taken great care of her. He said she is full grown. I have never seen a Cobalt as dark as she is. She is such a dark blue she is almost completely like black velvet. Her carapace is a little lighter and her legs are navy blue with almost a tourquise green tint to it that seems to glow. She is visable almost all the time because her burrow is in the corner down the side of her tank and she sits at the top, even outide her hole a lot.
I have heard that most H. liviums stay deep in their burrow much more then Zelda does so I feel pretty lucky to have her. I can't get over how long her fangs are. She loves to show them off to us.

Sharon

 

[drastak]

Hi,

in this thread >>click me<< you'll find photos and infos on how I keep my Haplopelma species and other obligate burrowers and how to construct tanks for them in which you can see and observe them without digging them out.

all the best,
Martin

Hi Martin,

as You wrote in another thread, You use that kind of tanks for all burrowing species. Did You try to use that for bigger species (C. crawshayi, etc.) ?

I like this type of tanks very much, but I'm affraid 10x25x35 (cm) could be too small for bigger spec.

Any ideas on this?

all the best

Drastak

 

[Martin H.]

Hi Drastak,

as You wrote in another thread, You use that kind of tanks for all burrowing species. Did You try to use that for bigger species (C. crawshayi, etc.) ?

I like this type of tanks very much, but I'm affraid 10x25x35 (cm) could be too small for bigger spec.

I don't keep C. crawshayi, but for such large species I would make the tanks about 15 cm wide => 15x25x35-40 cm

all the best,
Martin

 

[drastak]

Hi Drastak,

I don't keep C. crawshayi, but for such large species I would make the tanks about 15 cm wide => 15x25x35-40 cm

all the best,
Martin

OK thanx ... I'll try ...

my "purveyor" of T tanks will have another furrows on hist forehead ... again ... LOL

Drastak

 

[xanadu1015]

My mom (cricket54) and I can get pretty close to her, but she does love to flash her fangs.



Laura