Lasiocyano sazimai (Brazilian Blue)
Welcome to the world of Eight Legged Beauties, where we turn fuzzy fear into fascination!
Today we’re turning the spotlight on one of the hobby’s most spectacular blue tarantulas — Lasiocyano sazimai, formerly known as Pterinopelma sazimai, and better known as the Brazilian Blue Tarantula or Sazima’s Tarantula. With its intense metallic-blue coloration, terrestrial lifestyle, and opportunistic burrowing habits, this Brazilian beauty is a true showstopper.
Meet the Species
Scientific name: Lasiocyano sazimai
Former scientific name: Pterinopelma sazimai
Common name: Brazilian Blue Tarantula, Sazima’s Tarantula, Brazilian Iridescent Blue
Type: Terrestrial / opportunistic burrower
Native to: Brazil, including highland regions associated with Bahia and Minas Gerais
Adult size: ~5–6″ diagonal leg span
Temperament: Skittish and quick-moving; may retreat, kick urticating hairs, or occasionally become defensive
Lifespan: Females are expected to live considerably longer than males, though reliable species-specific lifespan data are limited
Experience level: Intermediate
Fun Fact:
Unlike many blue tarantulas that belong to Old World genera, L. sazimai is a New World tarantula and possesses urticating hairs. Its brilliant blue coloration comes from the iridescent setae covering the carapace, legs, and other body surfaces.
Setting Up Their Home
In the wild, L. sazimai occurs in rocky, highland environments and uses natural shelters such as rock crevices, fallen debris, and burrows. It is best thought of as an opportunistic burrower rather than a species that requires an elaborate permanent tunnel system.
Enclosure Tips
• For spiderlings: Use a small terrestrial enclosure that allows easy access to prey and a secure retreat.
• For juveniles: Upgrade gradually into a terrestrial enclosure roughly 3–4× the tarantula’s leg span in floor space.
• For adults: A low, horizontally oriented enclosure around 12×12″ or similar is a good starting point, with additional floor space welcomed when practical.
• Orientation: Wider than tall — this is a terrestrial species, and excessive height creates unnecessary fall risk.
• Security: Use a tight-fitting lid and excellent ventilation. This species can be quick when startled.
Substrate
Use several inches of:
Organic topsoil / Terra Aranea or another tarantula-safe substrate
Firmly packed enough to support shallow burrows and retreats
A dry-to-moist gradient rather than uniformly wet substrate
Provide a cork-bark hide, flat piece of bark, rock-like shelter, or another secure retreat. A shallow water dish should always be available.
Because L. sazimai comes from environments with seasonal moisture and strong ventilation, avoid turning the enclosure into a constantly saturated tropical setup. Good airflow is particularly important.
Temperature & Humidity
Setting | Ideal Range | Tips
Temperature: 72–80°F — Normal room temperatures are generally suitable. A modest nighttime drop is fine. Avoid heat lamps and direct sunlight.
Humidity: Moderate — Provide a moisture gradient rather than attempting to maintain a constantly high humidity level.
Ventilation: High — Cross-ventilation helps prevent stagnant, overly damp conditions.
Pro Tip:
Instead of soaking the entire enclosure, provide moisture to one area of the substrate or occasionally overflow the water dish. This creates a gradient where the tarantula can choose the conditions it prefers while keeping the rest of the enclosure breathable.
Feeding Time
Spiderlings
Feed 2–3× per week
Small roach nymphs, pinhead crickets, fruit flies, or appropriately sized prey
Remove uneaten prey if the sling doesn't take it
Juveniles
Feed approximately every 5–10 days
Appropriately sized crickets or roaches
Adjust feeding based on growth and abdomen size
Adults
Feed approximately every 1–2 weeks
Crickets, Dubia roaches, or other appropriately sized feeder insects
Reduce frequency when the tarantula is approaching a molt
Tip:
A healthy tarantula's abdomen should generally be reasonably well-rounded without becoming excessively swollen. Don't use feeding frequency as a rigid schedule — appetite, temperature, growth, and premolt behavior should all influence feeding.
After a molt, always wait until the fangs are fully hardened and dark before offering food. For adults, this can take several days or longer.
Behavior & Temperament
• Spiderlings: Often skittish and may retreat quickly when disturbed.
• Juveniles: Can become noticeably faster as they grow and may make sudden dashes when startled.
• Adults: Often make excellent display animals because of their incredible coloration, but individual temperament varies.
• Defense: Like other New World tarantulas, they can kick urticating hairs when threatened.
• Handling: Not recommended. Their defensive responses, speed, and the risk of injury from falls make observation the better choice.
Observation tip:
Don't worry if your L. sazimai disappears into a retreat for a while. Look for silk around a hide, webbing near the substrate, or changes in activity and feeding. A secure retreat can make the tarantula feel much more comfortable and may actually encourage natural behavior.
Common Challenges
Maintaining a moisture gradient without keeping the entire enclosure wet
Providing excellent ventilation, particularly when adding moisture
Managing their quick movements during rehousing or enclosure maintenance
Respecting their tendency to be skittish or defensive
Providing enough substrate for opportunistic burrowing and retreat construction
Keeping the enclosure secure — a startled L. sazimai can move surprisingly quickly
Final Thoughts
Lasiocyano sazimai — the Brazilian Blue Tarantula — is an absolutely stunning New World species that combines incredible metallic-blue coloration with fascinating terrestrial and burrowing behavior.
Its care isn't particularly complicated, but its speed and skittish nature mean it deserves a keeper who is comfortable working with a tarantula that may not always cooperate. Give it a secure enclosure, good ventilation, appropriate substrate, access to moisture, and plenty of opportunities to retreat, and you'll have one of the most visually spectacular tarantulas in the hobby.
And remember: if you see Pterinopelma sazimai in older care sheets, listings, or records, you're generally looking at the same species under its former scientific name. The currently accepted name is Lasiocyano sazimai.