Amazon Sapphire Tarantula

Ybyrapora diversipes Care Guide

Amazon Sapphire Tarantula

Revision Date: March 2025

Introduction

Ybyrapora diversipes, commonly known as the Amazon Sapphire Tarantula, is a stunning arboreal species native to Brazil. Known for its striking iridescent blues and purples, with vibrant red and orange highlights as juveniles, this tarantula undergoes dramatic color changes as it matures. Its combination of beautiful coloration, web-building behavior, and moderate size makes it a fascinating addition to any collection. However, due to its fast movements and slightly defensive tendencies, it is best suited for intermediate keepers.

Quick Species Snapshot

• Scientific Name: Ybyrapora diversipes

• Common Names: Amazon Sapphire Tarantula, Brazilian Blue Tree Spider

• Type: Arboreal

• Category: New World

• Native Range: Brazil (Amazon rainforest regions)

• Size: Body length up to 2.5 inches (6 cm); diagonal leg span up to 5 inches (13 cm)

• Urticating Hairs: Yes, Type II

• Growth Rate: Moderate to fast

• Life Expectancy: Females up to 12 years; males 3–4 years

• Recommended Experience Level: Intermediate

Taxonomy & Research Update

Ybyrapora diversipes, commonly known as the Amazon Sapphire Tarantula, is a stunning arboreal species native to Brazil. Originally classified under the Avicularia genus, this species was reclassified into the Ybyrapora genus in 2017 following taxonomic revisions by Fukushima & Bertani. This change was based on morphological differences and distinct behavioral traits that separate Ybyrapora from other Avicularia-like species.

Unlike many other arboreal tarantulas, Y. diversipes displays striking ontogenetic color changes, meaning it undergoes significant shifts in coloration as it matures. This, along with its vibrant patterning and web-building behaviors, has made it a highly sought-after species among keepers who appreciate visually dynamic tarantulas.

What Makes Ybyrapora diversipes So Special?

This species is one of the most visually striking arboreal tarantulas, undergoing remarkable color transformations as it grows. Spiderlings start off with electric blue legs and a metallic green carapace, gradually shifting to a mix of deep purples, reds, and iridescent blues as they mature. The intricate striping and vibrant hues make Y. diversipes one of the most beautiful tarantulas in the hobby.

Beyond its looks, Y. diversipes is a highly active web-builder, creating elaborate silk retreats throughout its enclosure. It has a strong feeding response and is quick-moving but not typically defensive. While it can be skittish, it prefers to retreat rather than display aggression, making it a manageable species for intermediate to advanced keepers.

Natural Habitat & Enclosure Considerations

In the wild, Ybyrapora diversipes inhabits the humid rainforests of Brazil, where it constructs dense silken retreats in tree crevices and foliage. It thrives in warm, high-humidity environments with plenty of vertical space for climbing.

In captivity, this species requires a tall, well-ventilated enclosure with ample anchor points for webbing. Cork bark slabs, artificial plants, or vertical branches provide ideal climbing structures. Maintaining moderate to high humidity with occasional misting is recommended, but proper ventilation is crucial to prevent stagnant conditions. A small water dish should be included to support hydration.

With the right setup, Y. diversipes will thrive and reward keepers with its stunning color changes, intricate webbing, and active nature, making it a standout species in any arboreal tarantula collection.

Housing & Substrate – Arboreal Setup

In the wild, A. avicularia inhabits tropical rainforests, residing in silk tubes built between leaves and branches. To replicate this environment in captivity:

Spiderlings

• Enclosure Size: Tarantula Cribs Treehouse Mini, Coffin Crib Mini, Treehouse Extra Small, Sling Crib

• Substrate: Fill the bottom 1/3 of the enclosure with Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude.

• Decor: Provide a vertical piece of cork bark (half-round preferred) secured with substrate, along with fake or live plants for additional cover.

• Water: A shallow water dish should be provided.

Juveniles

• Enclosure Size: Tarantula Cribs Treehouse Switch Small, Small Treehouse, Coffin Crib Medium, Crib 360 - 8 inch Arboreal

• Substrate: Same as spiderlings—1/3 filled with Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude.

• Decor: Vertical cork bark, fake/live plants, and a secure hiding spot.

• Water: A small water dish should always be available.

Adults

• Enclosure Size: Tarantula Cribs Treehouse Switch-XL2.0, Large Treehouse - Clear Back, Treehouse Switch - Large, Large Coffin Crib

• Substrate: 1/3 of the enclosure filled with Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude.

• Decor: Provide multiple vertical cork hides, branches, and artificial foliage to encourage webbing.

• Water: A larger water dish at the bottom and an additional smaller dish higher in the enclosure can help ensure hydration.

Note: Use this affiliate link or enter the TTC10 code at checkout to save 10% on Tarantula Cribs enclosures.

Temperature & Humidity

• Temperature: Maintain between 70–80°F (21–27°C).

• Humidity: 60-70%, achieved through a combination of a large water dish and occasional misting. Ensure excellent cross-ventilation to prevent stagnant air, which can be detrimental to this species. Obsessing about hitting a specific humidity level can be detrimental. Just ensure the substrate is slightly damp, there is a large and shallow water bowl, and good cross ventilation and you should be fine.

Feeding Schedule

Spiderlings

• Frequency:
  Feed twice a week.

• Prey:
  Offer small prey such as flightless fruit flies, confused flour beetles, or pre-killed tiny crickets/roach nymphs. Remove any uneaten prey after 24 hours. increase the size of the prey as the spider grows. Prekill any prey that is over 2/3 the size of the sling. For more detailed information on feeding spiderlings, watch this video: How To Feed Spiderlings & Scorplings (Baby Tarantulas & Scorpions)

• Post-Molt:
  Wait 24–48 hours after a molt before feeding. Ensure that the tarantula’s fangs are solid black and its exoskeleton is not soft or shiny.

Juveniles

• Frequency:
  Feed every 7–10 days.

• Prey:
  Provide 2–3 small to medium crickets or a medium Dubia roach.

• Feeding Guidelines:

  • If the abdomen is thinner than the widest part of the carapace, feed more prey more often.

  • If the abdomen is wider than the carapace, feed less prey, less often.
    This strategy helps prevent obesity, which can lead to molting complications or increase the risk of an abdomen rupture from even a small fall.

• Post-Molt:
  Wait 3–7 days after a molt before feeding, ensuring that the tarantula’s fangs are solid black and its exoskeleton is fully hardened.

Adults

• Frequency:
  Feed every 2–3 weeks (or as needed).

• Prey:
  Offer 4–5 large crickets or one large Dubia roach.

• Feeding Guidelines:

  • If the abdomen is thinner than the carapace’s widest part, increase feeding frequency.

  • If the abdomen is wider than the carapace, reduce feeding frequency.
    This is crucial to avoid obesity, which can interfere with proper molting or cause dangerous issues such as an abdomen rupture.

• Post-Molt:
  Wait 5–10 days after a molt before feeding, ensuring that the tarantula’s fangs are solid black and its exoskeleton is fully hardened.

Behavior & Temperament

Ybyrapora diversipes is a fast and skittish species with semi-defensive tendencies. While not known for being aggressive, they may bolt if startled and are prone to jumping. Like other New World species, they possess Type II urticating hairs, but they are rarely deployed. Instead, they rely on speed and agility for defense. Handling is not recommended due to their quick, unpredictable movements.

Breeding Ybyrapora diversipes in Captivity

Sexual Maturity & Pairing

• Males mature in 2–3 years, while females take 4–5 years to reach reproductive age.

• Pre-Pairing Preparation: Females should be well-fed before introduction. Increase humidity slightly before pairing.

Mating Process

• Introduce the male into the female’s enclosure at night.

• Males will approach cautiously, drumming to signal the female.

• If receptive, the female allows mating; if not, she may attack, so careful monitoring is needed.

Egg Sac Production

• If fertilized, the female produces an egg sac in 3–4 months.

• Maintain temperatures between 75–80°F (24–27°C) with humidity 75–80%.

• Each sac contains around 50–150 eggs.

Egg Sac Handling (Optional)

• Some breeders pull the sac after 30–40 days for artificial incubation.

• Spiderlings hatch at 6–8 weeks, reaching second instar 3–4 weeks later.

Raising Spiderlings

• Keep in ventilated enclosures with climbing surfaces.

• Feed small prey every 3–4 days.

• Maintain humidity but ensure good airflow to prevent mold issues.

Challenges & Considerations

• Ybyrapora diversipes spiderlings are fragile and require precise humidity control.

• Stagnant air is dangerous—cross-ventilation is a must.

• Males have short lifespans post-maturity, so breeding should occur soon after their final molt.

By supporting captive breeding efforts, we can help reduce the demand for wild-caught specimens while ensuring a steady supply of healthy, well-acclimated tarantulas for the hobby. Proper captive breeding also helps maintain genetic diversity and improves the long-term sustainability of this species in captivity.

Final Thoughts

Ybyrapora diversipes is a truly exceptional arboreal tarantula that captivates keepers with its vibrant color transformations, intricate webbing, and energetic nature. Its combination of striking hues, ranging from electric blues and metallic greens in its early stages to deep purples and reds as it matures, makes it one of the most visually stunning species in the hobby.

While not overly defensive, this species is fast and skittish, making it better suited for intermediate to advanced keepers who can handle quick-moving arboreal tarantulas. Providing a secure, well-ventilated vertical enclosure with plenty of climbing surfaces and webbing opportunities is essential to keeping Y. diversipes comfortable. Maintaining stable humidity and good ventilation will ensure it thrives in captivity.

For keepers looking for a dazzling, web-building species that offers both beauty and fascinating behavior, Ybyrapora diversipes is an excellent addition to any arboreal tarantula collection.

Additional Recommendations

• For enclosures, check out Tarantula Cribs (use code TTC10 for 10% off).

• Use Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude for the best substrate.

• For tarantulas, check out Spider Shoppe (use code TTC10 for 10% off).