Peacock Tarantula (Poecilotheria Metallica)

Poecilotheria metallica is found only in a small area of less than 100 square kilometres (39 sq mi), a reserve forest that is nonetheless highly disturbed. Surveys of adjacent forest have failed to observe this species. The type specimen was discovered in a railway timber yard in Gooty about 100 km southwest of its known range, but it is believed to have been transported there by train.^[1]

Poecilotheria metallica's behavior parallels that of many arboreal spiders. In the wild, P. metallica lives in holes of tall trees where it makes asymmetric funnel webs. The primary prey consists of various flying insects. Spiders of this genus may live communally when territory, i.e. the number of holes per tree, is limited. The species is skittish and will try to flee first, and will also flee when light shines upon it, as it is a photosensitive species. Under provocation, however, members of the species may bite.^[6]

There has never been a recorded human death from its bite. However, P. metallica's bite is considered medically significant, with venom that may cause intense pain, judging from the experience of keepers bitten by other spiders in the genus.^[8][9] The vast majority are "dry bites," where no venom is injected into the handler. The mechanical effects of the bite can still be worrisome, as an adult's fangs can reach nearly 3/4 of an inch in length. P. metallica can move rapidly and may defend itself when cornered. Venom may produce a heart-rate increase followed by sweating, headache, stinging, cramping, or swelling. Effects can last for up to a week. However in extreme bites from the genus Poecilotheria, effects may still be felt months later.^[10]

As with other tarantulas with blue hair, the vivid colors of P. metallica are produced by quasi-periodic perforated multilayer nanostructures.^[11][12][13] Structural colours are usually highly iridescent, changing color when viewed from different angles. Some species of blue tarantulas have hairs with a "special flower-like" structure which may reduce iridescence.^[14][15] Given that many tarantulas express nearly a full suite of opsins found in other colourful spiders with colour vision, blue colors could potentially function in mate-choice or contests for mates.^[16][17]