Poecilotheria regalis (Indian Ornamental Tarantula)

Poecilotheria regalis (Indian Ornamental Tarantula)

The Indian Ornamental Tarantula, or Poecilotheria regalis, is a large arboreal tarantula from India. Adults have a white base with bold black markings across the carapace (head), abdomen and legs, giving it the iconic pokie look every Poecilotheria is known for, which is where the ornamental in the name comes from. Like other Poecilotheria, the underside of the legs shows a bright yellow and white pattern that is used to ward off predators. Spiderlings start out with interesting patterns of their own, and that pattern grows whiter with every molt, so a sling raised at home ends up more strikingly patterned than it starts. P. regalis reaches a max diagonal leg span of about 6 to 7 inches, and females live 12 to 15 years while males live 2 to 3. This is a fast and defensive species that would far rather bolt into its tube than stand its ground, which suits keepers who want a big arboreal with a bold pattern. Grab one of the most established old world arboreal tarantulas for sale today, offered here in many sizes.

Why do hobbyists keep the Indian Ornamental Tarantula?

• Stunning Coloration: A white base with bold black markings across the carapace, abdomen and legs, plus a bright yellow and white underside on the legs that is used to ward off predators. This is the pattern most people picture when they hear ornamental tarantula, and it reads from across a room.
• Large Arboreal Species: Poecilotheria is known for having some of the largest arboreal tarantulas in the hobby, and regalis does not disappoint. Adults get close to seven inches, impressive for a species that spends its whole life off the ground.
• Confident and Visible: Give a pokie enough space and it will not just hide in its tube. Regalis is an active hunter after dark and confident enough to be out during the day too, stubborn rather than skittish, and noticeably calmer than a lot of other Asian arboreals.
• Easy To Raise: Pokies start larger and eat better than a lot of the more timid arboreal species, giving real survivability, and regalis backs that up, hatching larger than most and feeding with real enthusiasm, even observed taking down small lizards and other vertebrate prey in the wild. Pokies also come from a region with a wet season and a dry season, so they tolerate real-world humidity swings better than their reputation suggests, and combined with how much less defensive and flighty Poecilotheria tends to be than other Asian arboreals, that makes regalis one of the better choices for a first Asian arboreal, not something to save for after you already have experience with the group.
• A Hobby Favorite: Regalis is one of the most iconic old world arboreal tarantulas today, and the one most keepers start their Poecilotheria collection with. Decades of keepers have kept it, so its care is better understood than almost any other old world arboreal, and it remains a hobby favorite.

Which size should I choose?

• 1-1.5" Spiderling: about the size the species hatches at, your cheapest way to collect this species and watch it grow up from the very start.
• 2-2.5" Juvenile: past the delicate early stage with color already coming in, and still years of growth ahead.
• 5" MALE Preultimate: One molt from maturity and already confirmed male, a great fit for keepers who want a mature-sized pokie without a decade-plus commitment, and for breeders who want males on hand for pairing.
• 5-6" FEMALE Adult: A full grown, molt-confirmed female, ready to be an immediate display animal for a keeper who wants certainty rather than a wait, with 12 to 15 years ahead of her against 2 to 3 for a male.
• 6" FEMALE Adult: A full grown, molt-confirmed female, ready to be an immediate display animal for a keeper who wants certainty rather than a wait, with 12 to 15 years ahead of her against 2 to 3 for a male.

Looking for similar species?

• Browse our Old World Tarantulas and Arboreal Tarantulas collections to explore related care profiles and species groupings.

Pick the size you want above. Each size still has its own care guidance and its own price behind it, so what you see for that size is exactly what ships.