🐾 LandCare difficulty: AdvancedLegal complexity: High — restricted in many states
Indian ornamental tarantula
Poecilotheria regalis · also called Indian ornamental, regal parachute spider, Pokie, P. regalis
A stunning, fast, arboreal Old World tarantula from India with intricate fractal patterning and potent, medically significant venom. Beautiful to observe but strictly a look-don't-touch species for experienced keepers only.
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Quick facts
| Size | Large arboreal Old World tarantula, leg span 15-18 cm (6-7 in); females larger and heavier-bodied than males. |
| Lifespan | 2–12 years |
| Social needs | solo |
| Native region | Endemic to the deciduous and semi-evergreen forests of central and southern India; other Poecilotheria species occur in |
| Origin | Old World |
| Climate | 🌴 Tropical |
| Family | Theraphosidae |
| Genus | Poecilotheria |
Part of the Tarantulas
Theraphosid spiders kept as low-maintenance display invertebrates. New World species are generally docile with mild venom but bear irritating urticating hairs, while Old World species lack those hairs but tend to be fast, defensive, and have more potent (though rarely life-threatening) venom.
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Habitat & space requirements
From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
Habitat & enclosure
Arboreal: provide a tall enclosure, roughly 30 x 30 x 40 cm (taller than wide) for an adult, with secure, escape-proof ventilation. Furnish with one or more vertical cork bark tubes/slabs fixed firmly so the spider can build silk retreats against them. Maintain 24-28 C (75-82 F) and moderate humidity (65-75%); provide cross-ventilation to prevent stagnant, mold-prone air. A shallow water dish gives drinking water and ambient humidity. No UVB needed.
Substrate
Use a few inches of moist-but-not-wet coco fiber/peat substrate at the base for humidity buffering and in case of falls, but the spider lives vertically. Keep one corner lightly damp; let the surface dry between mistings to avoid mold.
Equipment & setup
Tall, front- or top-opening glass/acrylic enclosure with locking, escape-proof lid and ample cross-ventilation. Vertical cork bark tube, shallow water dish, and a fine hygrometer/thermometer. Supplemental heat (room ambient or a low-watt heat source on a thermostat, away from the enclosure wall) only if the room is cool. A long pair of forceps and a deli/catch cup are essential safety tools.
Diet
Insectivore. Feed appropriately sized live feeders: crickets, dubia roaches, locusts. Slings every 4-5 days, juveniles/adults roughly once a week, offering prey no larger than the spider's body. Remove uneaten prey within 24 hours, especially around molts when the spider should not be fed.
Behavior & temperament
An Old World species with no urticating hairs; its primary defenses are speed, a threat display, and a defensive bite delivering potent venom. P. regalis bites can cause intense pain, severe muscle cramping that can persist for days, and systemic effects — medically significant and well documented in the literature, though no fatalities have been recorded and there is no specific antivenom. Extremely fast and prone to bolting. Not handleable and not suitable for beginners. Observe only; use slow, deliberate husbandry with a catch cup on hand.
Health
Hardy if kept dry-but-ventilated; the main killers are falls (fatal abdomen ruptures from height) and poor ventilation causing fungal issues. Watch for dehydration (shriveled abdomen) — keep the water dish full. Never handle: bite envenomation is the chief safety risk to the keeper. Fast for 1-2 weeks pre-molt; do not disturb a molting spider.
Tips, DIY & hacks
Treat every rehouse as a controlled operation: work over a large bin, keep a catch cup ready, and never put a hand inside. Anchor cork bark so it can't shift and trap or injure the spider. Because of potent venom, keep contact info for a poison control center handy. Confirm legality before acquiring — the entire genus Poecilotheria has been listed on CITES Appendix II since 2019, so international trade requires permits and some jurisdictions add further restrictions.
Sources
- Poecilotheria regalis — Wikipedia (reference)
- Poecilotheria spp. as underestimated theraphosids of medical importance (verified bite review) (research)
- CoP18 Prop. 46 — Inclusion of all Poecilotheria in CITES Appendix II (regulatory)
- Tom's Big Spiders — Poecilotheria regalis Care (care guide)
- Wikipedia: Indian ornamental tarantula (wiki)