The Metallic Tarantula

~ 7" legspan when fully grown

Today's Animal of the Day is the Metallic Tarantula, or the Gooty Sapphire Tarantula, named for its brilliant blue color and for the fact that it was discovered in Gooty, India. Its scientific name is Poecilotheria metallica. 

Not much is known about the Metallic Tarantula, other than the traits it shares with others in its genus - it is arboreal, fast-moving, and spins funnel-shaped webs. When an insect gets caught in the web, the Metallic Tarantula can sense it through the strings like a Master of Puppets, and will move to Seek & Destroy its prey using its powerful venom. The venom is not lethal to humans, but can cause intense pain and nausea. If you're bitten, you may feel a sensation of Creeping Death. "Enter Sandman," you might think, while your vision starts to Fade to Black. 

The Metallic Tarantula is critically endangered, due to deforestation and excessive logging. The loggers don't care that they're destroying habitats; to them, profit is everything and Nothing Else Matters. The Metallic Tarantula's remaining numbers are unknown but hopefully there is still more than One out there.