A rare tarantula spider native to Venezuela has arrived in the Cotswolds.
Cotswold Wildlife Park has welcomed a colourful new arrival in the form of a greenbottle blue tarantula.
The female spider is the second new spider arrival announced by the park and is notable for its vivid green, copper and blue colouring.
The species, scientifically known as Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens, is native to Venezuela’s Paraguaná Peninsula, where it inhabits dry areas in the north of the country.
Cotswold Wildlife Park said: “Our second new spider arrival is a greenbottle blue tarantula.
Our second new #spider arrival is a Greenbottle Blue #Tarantula. She has beautiful colouration with a metallic green body, copper abdomen and blue legs. This species is endangered in the wild, originating from the arid scrublands of northern Venezuela. #Tarantulas #spiders https://t.co/OriRzJ9AgO
— CotswoldWildlifePark (@CotsWildTweets) November 1, 2026
“She has beautiful colouration with a metallic green body, copper abdomen and blue legs.
“This species is endangered in the wild, originating from the arid scrublands of northern Venezuela.”
Greenbottle blue tarantulas are known for their striking appearance, with metallic blue legs contrasting against a blue-green carapace and orange-toned abdomen.
They are also prolific web-builders and in the wild can create webbed burrows beneath bushes and tree roots.
The entrance to the burrow can be extended by webbing, which may form a funnel-like shape.
The species is the sole member of the genus Chromatopelma and was first scientifically described in 1907.
It was subsequently placed in the genus Chromatopelma, whose name refers to the spider’s distinctive colour.
The tarantula’s natural distribution is restricted to Venezuela, with records particularly associated with the Paraguaná Peninsula.
Reports cited in accounts of the species have identified pressure on its habitat from activities including overgrazing, while its striking appearance has also made the spider popular among tarantula enthusiasts.
The colourful newcomer will join the collection at Cotswold Wildlife Park, near Burford.
