Bizarre peacock tarantula is only species of its kind to have blue hair

Arachnophobes look away now, as this piece contains copious pictures of a giant blue spider.

Meanwhile, for those who like spiders or aren't that bothered about them, feast your eyes on the bizarre and brilliant poecilotheria metallica, otherwise known as the peacock tarantula.

Here it is in all its blue beauty, with big thick legs and a distinctive pattern on the back - this is the type of spider that would haunt your dreams and keep flies a long way away from your home.

Luckily for people terribly afraid of spiders, the peacock tarantula has never been recorded successfully killing anybody (that we know of).

However, it is a venomous spider and could bite people if they get too close for comfort, and even if it generally prefers to apply a 'dry bite' where it doesn't inject venom it can still have fangs three quarters of an inch long.

If you ever do get bitten by one of these big blue beasties get hit by the venom you can expect a painful week of headaches, stinging pains, swelling and cramps.

The pain should go away after a week, though in more extreme cases the effects of the venom can still be having an effect months later.

blickwinkel / Alamy Stock Photo

This type of spider is the only kind of its species to have blue hair, but they are sadly becoming increasingly rare.

Native to forests in southern India, the peacock tarantula is classed as 'critically endangered' and at serious risk of going extinct.

According to Science, they are threatened by deforestation and are often killed by humans if they wander into somebody's house after the trees they prefer to live in get cut down.

They are also a popular type of spider to be captured and taken away to be sold off as pets, because if you're going to have a pet spider why wouldn't you want a giant blue tarantula.

However, since they are rare and prized they can end up costing you a lot of you want one as a pet, and remember that they are venomous animals which can lash out and bite if threatened.

blickwinkel / Alamy Stock Photo

Footage of the peacock tarantula was shared on Reddit's r/NatureIsF***ingLit group, where many were impressed by the spider's beauty while still being scared of what it could do.

One commenter called it 'a big beautiful NOPE', while another said they were 'terrified' of the tarantula but still found it to be 'pretty cool'.

Another warned that the person in the video shown holding the spider should be careful as they could be 'so fast' and had bright colours as a means of warning people to stay away.

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