Rare blue and white Everton FC spider “needs to be seen to be believed”

Nov 25 2009 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

A RARE blue and white tarantula, dubbed the “Everton spider” because of its colours, is to go on display at the Bugworld Experience attraction this week.

The creature’s real name is the Gooty Saphire Ornamental Tree Spider, and it comes from India.

The critically endangered spider is close to extinction in the wild.

It will go on show at Bugworld in the Albert Dock on Friday, with experts at the centre’s interactive insectarium where staff joke they will be recruiting two babies to the “youth squad” with plans to breed the tarantula so it can have its very own Everton spider football team.

General manager Jenny Dobson said: “We are so excited to be receiving one of these stunning spiders, it truly does need to be seen to be believed.

“Its distinctive blue and white skin makes it unlike any other spider here at the BugWorld Experience and indeed anywhere in the world.

“The Everton Spider is a great addition for our interactive insectarium, not only because of its fantastic colours, but it also highlights our continuing efforts for preserving endangered species.”