Indian ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria regalis)

Short answers

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

30×30×45 cm (arboreal – height before floor area), better 40×40×60 cm.

Indian ornamental tarantula: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Indian ornamental tarantula: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed (nocturnal).

Indian ornamental tarantula: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: females 10–14 years, males 2–4 years.

Indian 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 (arboreal – height before floor area), better 40×40×60 cm

Substrate

A thin damp layer of coco on the floor plus a vertical cork tube or bark as a retreat

Feeding

Food

Insects (house crickets, roaches, crickets)

Feeding interval

adults 1×/week, juveniles 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

15–18 cm leg span (up to ~20 cm)

Life expectancy

females 10–14 years, males 2–4 years

Origin

Southern India (and Sri Lanka), arboreal in forested areas

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B (the whole genus Poecilotheria since 2019, CoP18) – proof of origin required (the proof requirement under the German Federal Species Protection Ordinance)

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Keeping them singly is recommended. An Old World species and cannibalistic; communal keeping is attempted by a few experts, but it is risky and not recommended here – keep them singly.

Notes

An Old World arboreal tarantula: very fast, defensive and with medically significant venom (severe muscle cramps, no antivenom) – strictly for experienced keepers, and no handling. Some older sources still list it as "not protected" – but it has been CITES II-listed since 2019. Good ventilation, and not permanently wet.

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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
• 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 Indian ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria regalis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (30×30×45 cm (arboreal – height before floor area), better 40×40×60 cm), substrate (A thin damp layer of coco on the floor plus a vertical cork tube or bark as a retreat), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.