Fringed ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria ornata)

Short answers

Fringed ornamental tarantula: How big does the enclosure need to be?

40×30×45 cm (height over floor area, a vertical cork tube).

Fringed ornamental tarantula: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, basking spot — (no basking spot; even room warmth), at night 20–22 °C.

Fringed ornamental tarantula: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed (nocturnal).

Fringed ornamental tarantula: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: females 12–15 years, males 3–4 years.

Fringed ornamental tarantula: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

— (no basking spot; even room warmth)

Humidity

70–80 %

UVB

No UVB needed (nocturnal)

Enclosure

Minimum size

40×30×45 cm (height over floor area, a vertical cork tube)

Substrate

Coco humus, 5 cm; a vertical piece of cork bark or a cork tube as a hide; moderately damp, well ventilated, a water bowl

Feeding

Food

Insects: crickets, roaches, locusts. No vertebrates are needed

Feeding interval

adults 1×/week or every 1–2 weeks, juveniles 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

20–25 cm leg span; one of the largest Poecilotheria species

Life expectancy

females 12–15 years, males 3–4 years

Origin

Sri Lanka

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Regulation Annex B (since 2019, the whole genus Poecilotheria) – proof of origin or purchase (an unbroken chain of documentation) is required

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Keeping them singly is the standard. An Old World arboreal species, territorial and cannibalistic. Communal keeping is attempted by some experienced keepers (the genus has a degree of tolerance), but it is risky and NOT recommended as standard

Notes

Old World, with NO urticating hairs, but very fast, defensive and with medically significant, strong venom – only for very experienced keepers, never handling, and secure against escape. CITES-protected: buy or pass it on only with papers.

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Related species

• Gooty sapphire ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria metallica) – Expert
• Mysore ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria striata) – Expert
• Indian ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria regalis) – Expert
• Ivory ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria subfusca) – Expert
• Ghost ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria vittata) – Expert
• Red slate ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria rufilata) – Expert
• Sri Lankan ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria fasciata) – Expert
• Amazon birdeater (Iridopelma hirsutum) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Fringed ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria ornata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (40×30×45 cm (height over floor area, a vertical cork tube)), substrate (Coco humus, 5 cm; a vertical piece of cork bark or a cork tube as a hide; moderately damp, well ventilated, a water bowl), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.