Ghost ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria vittata)

Short answers

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

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

Ghost ornamental tarantula: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Ghost ornamental tarantula: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed (nocturnal).

Ghost ornamental tarantula: How long do they live?

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

Ghost 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

—

Humidity

70–80 %

UVB

No UVB needed (nocturnal)

Enclosure

Minimum size

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

Substrate

Coco humus, about 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 (house crickets, roaches, crickets, locusts)

Feeding interval

adults approx. 1×/week or every 10–14 days, juveniles 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

15–17 cm leg span (body ~6 cm)

Life expectancy

females 12–15 years, males 3–4 years

Origin

Sri Lanka

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B (the whole genus Poecilotheria) — proof of origin is mandatory, sale only with paperwork

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Single housing. Solitary and cannibalistic; no pair/group housing. The reason is not conflict but predation: these animals take anything that fits in their mouths, and a second animal in the enclosure is included.

Notes

It lives in tree holes and bark crevices in the tropical forests of Sri Lanka. Considered one of the more approachable Poecilotheria, but it is still very fast and has medically significant venom. No handling.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Gooty sapphire ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria metallica) – Expert
• Fringed ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria ornata) – Expert
• Mysore ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria striata) – Expert
• Indian ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria regalis) – Expert
• Ivory ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria subfusca) – 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 Ghost ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria vittata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (30×30×45 cm (height over floor area, a vertical cork tube)), substrate (Coco humus, about 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.