(Photo by Joel Holmes)
(Photo by Joel Holmes)
Halpopelma lividum is a burrowing species from Asia. This species is most notable for its beautiful iridescent blue colors on the legs. The carapace is usually a light brown. The abdomen is dark brown, often with horizontal strips. The above picture is by no means a representation of the color in real life. The color of the picture was not tampered with (just sharpened), but the colors are darker and richer in real life (I have no idea how the picture came out that way!). This spider also has one of the nastiest temperments. It is well known for its lightning speed and its tendancy to ward off bullies with its fangs. Don not handle!
Haplopelma is not recommended for beginner keepers, as they also require a little more moisture than some other Old World burrowers. Keep the substrate moist with an open water dish. For more on keeping humidity levels high, see my page on humidity. Keeping H. lividum's cage well ventilated. Too much humidity can cause mold.
Cobalt Blues must have a deep substrate, in which they will burrow. Very rarely will you see H. lividum out of its retreat during the day; however, at night, they become quite active. Many times, two or three entrances will be created. Recentley, i have been experimenting with providing burrowers with additional supplies to use on their homes. If you provide a littel sphagnum moss on the top level of substrate, the spider will sue this to exagerate the entrance to its tunnel. Don't use too mcuh of this stuff; it makes great homes for crickets. I use a peat/vermiculite mix as the base substrate.
Temperature can be kept at the usual 75-80 deg. You can lower the temperature by 4 or 5 degrees in the winter to provide a more "narturalistic" environment, but be sure to give them a good "summer" in which to thrive.
A cricket based diet works well for Cobalts, as it does for most tarantulas. The Ocassional roach makes a good variety in diet. I haven't tried feeding H. lividum pinky mice; H. lividum rarely comes out of its burrow during feedings. If this is tried, leave the pinky in for about two days. If it is still not taken, stick to the crickets.
Kingdom of the Spider: A very good overview including habitat, temperature, humidity, origin, etc.
Lelles Tarantula Page (English version): A picture and a good intro
Tarantula Terrain: housing and habitat