The Amazon Sapphire Tarantula (Ybyrapora diversipes) receives her name thanks to her vibrant colors. This New World arboreal species is new in the hobby, making her difficult to find, but that makes her all the more desirable for some collectors.
She’s also skittish and defensive, which means beginners shouldn’t handle her. However, she’s still a popular option for her stunning colors. If you’re interested in getting one of these beautiful arboreals, we’ve gathered all the information you need to know if it’s the right fit for you.
Amazon Sapphire Tarantula Care Sheet
| Name of Species | Ybyrapora diversipes |
| Family | Theraphosidae |
| Common names | Amazon Sapphire Tarantula |
| Native location | South America |
| Category | New World |
| Type | Arboreal |
| Leg span | 5.5 inches |
| Growth speed | Fast |
| Urticating hairs | Yes, type II |
| Diet | Insects, primarily roaches & crickets |
| Social | Solitary |
| Temperature | 70 to 80 °F |
| Humidity | 65 to 75% |
| Life span | Females: 12 to 14 years / Males 3 to 4 years |
| Experience level | Intermediate |
Amazon Sapphire Tarantula Overview
The Ybyrapora diversipes is known by hobbyists as Amazon Sapphire Tarantula or the Amazon Sapphire Pinktoe Tarantula.
She’s an arboreal bird eater, with a shy and defensive demeanor which makes her unpredictable.
The Amazon Sapphire Tarantula is found in almost all of South America, with a substantial population in Brazil and Peru.
She’s prone to flicking hair when she’s threatened, and she’ll even resort to biting sometimes, so she’s not a good spider for beginners. For more experienced hobbyists though, she’s a beauty that many want to add to their collection.
Appearance
The Amazon Sapphire Tarantula, as is the case with certain related arboreal tarantulas, is particularly fluffy. It’s certainly one of its appeals, but it doesn’t compare with its bright colors.
Slings and juveniles of this species are famous for having green bodies covered with blue and reddish-pink setae. Their legs are electric blue with pink segments in their articulations. They have a green cephalothorax, often having pink stripes on both sides.
However, the biggest charm lies in the abdomen, where they have pale pink divided by blue horizontal lines at the side and a deep blue vertical line at the center topped by a bright reddish-pink stripe.
The Ybyrapora diversipes are famous for their appearance when they’re young. Sadly, they don’t remain that way when they enter adulthood.
Nonetheless, they still look beautiful in their mature appearance, remaining a beauty to behold even with less vibrant colors than their younger counterparts.
Their green bodies are covered with pink setae that are often stronger in their abdomen, providing a beautiful contrast. The ends of their legs are often clear, sometimes bright pink, which earns them their name Amazon Sapphire Pinktoe Tarantula.
Male and female specimens are very similar, with the only difference being that males are slightly smaller. Therefore, the only way to accurately identify these spiders is to examine the inside of their molts.
They’re an average-sized species, topping out at about 5.5 inches in leg span.
Price
The Amazon Sapphire Tarantula is relatively new to the hobby and hard to find, so she’s more expensive than most other species.
Slings and juveniles can be found for around $60, even though prices sometimes reach $100.
Adults are almost non-existent in the market, but this is expected to change in the future as they become more popular among breeders and hobbyists.
Behavior and Temperament
The Amazon Sapphire Tarantula is more defensive than most Versicolor tarantulas. Their first instinct tends to be to run away from conflict; however, they will assume a threat stance and flick hair if they feel threatened.
They’re also known to bite if cornered, but thankfully their venom is on the weak side even for New World tarantulas.
They also have a particular line of defense; they’re known for throwing feces at their predators. This is harmless to humans, so you shouldn’t have to worry about it, but it is an interesting fact.
Slings and juveniles of this species are known for being more skittish and aggressive than adults, so be careful during any rehousing procedure to avoid escapes that could harm the spider.
Caring for an Amazon Sapphire Tarantula
Temperature and Humidity
As the name indicates, the Amazon Sapphire Tarantula lives in a tropical rainforest. It’s used to a climate with high temperatures and humidity.
In captivity, they do well in temperatures between 70°F and 80°F, with a humidity of 65% to 75%.
Substrate
The Amazon Sapphire Tarantula isn’t a burrower; therefore, it doesn’t need too much substrate to feel comfortable.
About 1.5 inches of substrate is enough for spiderlings as well as adult specimens of this species.
As for the composition, a mixture with peat moss would be great to maintain moisture in the soil.
Tank
The Amazon Sapphire Tarantula needs enough vertical space to be comfortable. You should get a tank that’s taller than long and deep to allow them some space to move vertically in their enclosure.
Adults need tanks of at least three gallons, but larger is better as it’ll make this species more comfortable.
You must place a vertical structure over which the spider could climb, such as a piece of cork bark or an empty log.
Make sure there are small holes on both sides of the enclosure to allow for good ventilation too; it’s vital for the Amazon Sapphire Tarantula’s health.
Watering
As long as your tank is adequately ventilated, your Amazon Sapphire Tarantula will thrive in a moist environment. Spray the substrate at least once every ten to fourteen days, more if it’s is a spiderling or a juvenile.
A watering dish must be introduced once they reach adulthood; it could be superglued next to the bark to allow for easy access. Just be careful not to place it between the bark and the wall, as sometimes the tarantula loves creating webs at this location.
Feeding
The Amazon Sapphire Tarantula doesn’t climb down from her tree very often, so it’s best to feed it with insects that are prone to climbing up the branch and sides of the enclosure.
Spiderlings should eat a small cricket or a flightless fruit fly twice a week.
Juveniles eat a medium cricket or a small cockroach every four to seven days.
Adults eat once every week, and they could have a medium or a large B. dubia roach for every meal.
Pay attention to any abdominal size changes to make sure you’re not overfeeding or underfeeding the tarantula. Furthermore, make sure that you remove uneaten food in a timely matter. The humid environment can lead to mold and bacterial growth if uneaten food is not removed quickly enough.
Lastly, you have to make sure that you do not feed your spider for several days after a molt to give their fangs adequate time to harden.
Amazon Sapphire Tarantula Facts
- The Amazon Sapphire used to be called Avicularia diversipes until very recently, so you’ll still find plenty of information about this species under that name.
- Since the Amazon Sapphire Tarantula has so many different colors, owners report that it’s a pleasure to watch them grow. Every molt looks different from the previous one, even if it’s just a little.
- The Ybyrapora diversipes is very similar to the Arvicularia arviculara. The latter is known for being able to live communally, so there’s the possibility that the Y. Diversipes is also suited to live with other tarantulas. However, there’s still a lot to know about this spider, so there’s no definitive conclusion regarding this subject.
Final words
Most people looking for an Amazon Sapphire Tarantula are drawn to its colors. It’s a great choice for a pet if you have experience with other tarantulas, but not recommended for absolute beginners. If you’re a beginner who wants to own a colorful species, the Antilles Pink Toe is a great choice. They’re more docile and just as colorful, so they’re a great way to get started with the hobby.
However, if you’ve got some experience already and the beautiful colors of this tarantula are appealing to you, you should definitely not overlook this species.
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