Sri Lankan Ornamental Tarantula

Looks how to spot one

Exoskeleton

This tarantula has a slender, arboreal build with long legs. The female shows striking grey, white and black cryptic markings on the back, with two black lines on the carapace and a light grey foliate band along the abdomen. The first two leg pairs have yellow bands, while the third and fourth pairs show bluish-grey femurs with black bands. The male is more uniform brown with less intense markings and a dark median line with diamond-shaped chevrons on the abdomen.12

Personality what they are like

This spider is fast, defensive and very nimble when disturbed. It is not suitable for handling and should be treated as a display animal. Its temperament can vary, but it is generally skittish and may bolt quickly if startled.135

Daily activity how busy a day looks

As an arboreal species, it needs vertical space to climb and a secure retreat. It is not active in the sense of needing exercise, but it requires a tall enclosure with branches or bark to satisfy its natural climbing behaviour. Minimal disturbance is recommended.35

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Care is straightforward but requires attention to security and ventilation. Provide a tall enclosure with cork bark or similar vertical retreats, strong cross-ventilation, and moderate humidity. Keep the enclosure escape-proof and avoid unnecessary disturbance. Substrate depth is less important than height and secure anchor points.34

Home where they are happiest

Needs a tall, secure enclosure with vertical space, cork bark or tree bark for retreats, and strong cross-ventilation. Temperature around 22-30°C (75-80°F) and humidity about 70-80%. Fresh water should always be available. It should be housed alone. Note: this species is listed as endangered and protected under U.S. law; check local regulations before keeping.3451

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Insectivorous. Feed on crickets, roaches, locusts, mealworms (in moderation), flies, moths, and occasionally a pinky mouse or anole lizard for variety. Spiderlings eat pinhead crickets and flightless fruit flies. Feeding frequency: slings every 3-5 days, juveniles once or twice weekly, adults every 7-14 days.345

Company who they like around

This is a solitary species and must be housed alone. It is not social and does not need companionship. It is a medically significant tarantula; a bite can cause intense local pain and swelling, so it is not suitable for handling. Also, it is protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, and keeping it may be restricted in some countries.31

The story where it all began

This species was described by Latreille in 1804 from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). It is one of the classic ornamental tarantulas, admired for its striking pattern and arboreal lifestyle. It has been kept in captivity for many years, but its popularity in the pet trade has contributed to its endangered status. In 2018, it was listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act due to habitat loss and collection for the pet trade. Captive breeding has been successful but not enough to meet commercial demand, so wild collection remains a concern.316

Recognised by the official bits

U.S. Endangered Species Act

Listed as endangered in 2018 due to habitat loss and collection for the pet trade.1

CITES

All Poecilotheria species included in Appendix II, regulating international trade.6