© John / CC BY 2.0Bolivian Steely Blue
The Bolivian Steely Blue is a large, ground-dwelling tarantula native to the rainforests of Bolivia and Peru, where it digs burrows in the substrate. Mature males develop a striking metallic blue-purple sheen on their legs, making them especially prized among enthusiasts. Females, by contrast, are solid black — a dramatic example of sexual dimorphism within the same species. Since this tarantula spends most of its time at ground level, a deep substrate layer lets you watch its burrowing behavior up close. It's generally considered a species better suited to keepers with some prior tarantula experience.
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- Care level
- Intermediate
- Lifespan
- Females up to about 15 years, males about 4 years
- Temperature
- 21〜27℃
- Diet
- Large live insects such as crickets and roaches
- Temperature & Humidity
- A keeper's published husbandry keeps it at 21-23 C at night and 25-27 C by day. It is described as needing higher humidity than many in the genus.
- Enclosure
- Provide 10cm or more of substrate so it can burrow, and half-bury a piece of cork bark as a starter burrow. Keep airflow while preventing drying.
- Diet & Feeding
- Offer large live prey such as crickets and roaches. Growth is comparatively fast, so feed in proportion to its size.
- Temperament & Venom
- It has urticating hairs and flees first, but under persistent provocation it aims them at the intruder. It is not a species to handle.
- Notes
- It is large and strong, so secure the lid and check for gaps. Males are short-lived after maturing, so breeding should be attempted soon after the final moult.
About Bolivian Steely Blue
A large, ground-dwelling tarantula from Bolivia and Peru. Mature males show a metallic blue-purple leg sheen, while females are solid black — striking sexual dimorphism. Burrows in substrate; suited to intermediate keepers.
7 things to know before welcoming a Bolivian Steely Blue
1Deep Substrate for Burrowing
In the wild, this species digs burrows in the substrate to live in. Provide a deep enough substrate layer in captivity so it can dig and shelter naturally. Watching it excavate its burrow is one of the highlights of keeping this species.
2Striking Color Difference by Sex
Mature males develop a vivid metallic blue-purple sheen on their legs, while females remain solid black. Understanding that this color difference comes from sex and maturity helps avoid confusion when raising your tarantula.
3Lifespan Differs by Sex
Females can live up to around 15 years, making this a long-lived species, while males live only about 4 years. If you want a longer-term companion, a female may be the better choice.
4Best Suited to Intermediate Keepers
This species is considered suitable for intermediate keepers. Having some basic tarantula-keeping experience — temperature and humidity management, safe handling practices — will help you care for it with confidence.
5Give a Large Species Its Space
As a large, ground-dwelling tarantula, it needs an enclosure with adequate space. Molting places significant strain on its body, so keep disturbances to a minimum before and after a molt.
6Care Around Hairs and Defensive Bites
Like many tarantulas, it may flick urticating hairs from its abdomen or bite defensively when startled. Minimize direct hand contact and use proper tools for enclosure maintenance.
7Prepare the Enclosure Before Arrival
Set up a stable temperature and humidity, a hiding spot, and substrate deep enough for burrowing before your tarantula arrives, to reduce stress from the environment change. Also confirm how you'll source feeder insects in advance.
Frequently asked questions about Bolivian Steely Blue
- Q.Do males and females really look that different?
- A.Yes — mature males develop a metallic blue-purple sheen on their legs, while females are solid black all over. This striking sexual dimorphism is one of the species' defining traits.
- Q.Is this tarantula suitable for beginners?
- A.This species is considered better suited to intermediate keepers. It's a good idea to gain some basic tarantula-keeping experience before bringing one home.
- Q.How long can I expect to keep one?
- A.Lifespan varies significantly by sex: females can live up to around 15 years, while males typically live about 4 years. If you want a longer-term companion, a female may be the better choice.
- Q.How should I set up the substrate?
- A.Since this species digs burrows to live in, provide a substrate layer with enough depth for burrowing. Watching it excavate its burrow is one of the rewarding parts of keeping this species.
- Q.Is its temperament calm or aggressive?
- A.When startled it will usually try to flee first, but if it is persistently provoked it takes aim and flicks urticating hairs. It is not a species for handling, so avoid direct hand contact and use proper tools when maintaining the enclosure.
Learn more about Bolivian Steely Blue in the encyclopedia
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Care difficulty, lifespan, size and diet — all basics covered.
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