When you picture a tarantula, you may imagine a terrifying black hairy spider.
But an incredible new video has emerged online that may change your vision of the creatures in the future.
The footage shows an extremely rare species of tarantula called Poecilotheria metallica that is bright blue – although scientists are unsure why it has evolved to look this way.
The incredible video was uploaded to ViralHog by Barcelona-based medical student, Daniel Valcarcel, although it is unclear where it was filmed.
It shows the tarantula, which is bright blue with white stripes, crawling up and down a man’s hand.
According to IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Poecilotheria metallica – which can be found exclusively in a 38 square mile (100 square kilometre) area of India – is listed as critically endangered.
A description on the IUCN website says: ‘The habitat where the species occurs is completely degraded due to lopping for firewood and cutting for timber.
The incredible video was uploaded to ViralHog by Barcelona-based medical student, Daniel Valcarcel, although it is unclear where it was filmed
‘The habitat is under intense pressure from the surrounding villages as well as from insurgents who use forest resources for their existence and operations.
‘It is assumed that the area of habitat has decreased over the years, but there is definitely a decline in quality of habitat for the spiders who seek cavities and deep crevices in old growth forests.
‘This species is categorized as [critically endangered] because of its range restricted to less than 100 square km, single location and continuing decline in habitat quality.’
The video shows the tarantula, which is bright blue with white stripes, crawling up and down a man’s hand
The spider can be found solely in a 38 square miles (100 square kilometre) area of India, called Andhra Pradesh
While scientists have established that there are at least 40 species of blue spiders, they are still unsure why the creatures have evolved to have this colouration.
In 2015, researchers from the University of Akron, Ohio suggested that it was unlikely the colour evolved due to sexual selection – which is the case with other coloured spider species.
Mr Bor-Kai Hsiung, lead author of the study, told the BBC: ‘It evolved from multiple origins and different mechanisms produce the very same blue colour.
While scientists have established that there are at least 40 species of blue spiders, they are still unsure why the creatures have evolved to have this colouration
‘That’s very strong evidence to suggest that this blue colour has a very important visual signalling function.
‘But if it’s not for other tarantulas, then it must be to some other receivers out there.’
The researchers suggest that the colour may help the spiders to hide from predators at night, although Mr Hsiung concluded: ‘We don’t know yet.’