Poecilotheria
- Dominik Alexander
- Nov 11
- 6 min read
Updated: Dec 1
Poecilotheria is a genus of arboreal tarantulas native to India and Sri Lanka, famous for their striking “ornamental” patterns and speed. Early European naturalists first encountered these spiders in Sri Lanka in the 18th century; in 1734, Dutch zoologist Albertus Seba illustrated one as Aranea maxima ceilonica (“the big spider from Ceylon”).
As arachnology developed, the same spiders were shuffled through several genera. In 1804, Pierre André Latreille described them as Mygale fasciata, and by 1850, Carl Ludwig Koch had reassigned them to Scurria fasciata. This name didn’t last: Scurria was already in use for a mollusk, so French arachnologist Eugène Simon created the new genus Poecilotheria in 1885. The name combines Greek roots poikilos (“spotted”) and therion (“wild beast”), a nod to their banded, high-contrast markings.
Today, Poecilotheria includes around a dozen described species of “ornamental” or “tiger” spiders, such as the iconic blue P. metallica and the Indian and Sri Lankan ornamentals. All known species are restricted to South Asia’s forests, where they live high in tree hollows and crevices. Because of habitat loss and collection for the pet trade, the entire genus is now listed under CITES, meaning international trade is regulated to help protect wild populations.
Anybody interested in Poecilotheria needs to watch this documentary (it is mandatory):
Pokies in the wild:
Poecilotheria regalis
Common name: Indian ornamental tarantula
Origin: Southern India (Western & Eastern Ghats)
Lifestyle: Old World, arboreal (tree-dwelling, fast and highly agile)
Adult size: Approx. 15–18 cm (6–8+ in) leg span, occasionally larger
Growth rate: Fast-growing species, reaching maturity relatively quickly compared to many New World tarantulas
Temperament: Defensive and very quick; not recommended for beginners or handling
Color & appearance: Striking black, grey, and white banded pattern with a pale dorsal abdominal stripe, plus bold yellow patches on the undersides of the front legs that contrast beautifully against dark tree bark
Species History
Poecilotheria regalis, commonly known as the Indian ornamental, is a large arboreal tarantula endemic to southern India that was first described by British zoologist Reginald Innes Pocock in 1899 from specimens collected near Arakkonam in Tamil Nadu. Living high in tree hollows and beneath loose bark in the forests of the Western and Eastern Ghats, this species uses its striking black-and-white patterning to blend into mottled trunks while ambushing passing prey. Over time, P. regalis became the “classic” ornamental tarantula in the pet trade and one of the first Poecilotheria species to be established in captivity, where widespread captive breeding has helped keep this iconic pokie readily available to enthusiasts while reducing demand for wild-caught animals.
Natural Habitat
Poecilotheria regalis is an arboreal tarantula from the warm, humid forests of southern India, where it lives high in the Western and Eastern Ghats in moist deciduous and montane woodland. It spends most of its life in tree hollows and under loose bark, lining these retreats with silk and using the mottled bark, leaf litter, and dappled light of the forest to camouflage while ambushing arboreal insects and other small prey.
Our Specimen:
Given name: Sylvia
Sex: Female
Life stage: Adult
Approximately 8.5 in
Docile and inquisitive
Eats but not aggressive
Usually on display but has been more reclusive as of late
Gorgeous specimen
Genus and species: Poecilotheria ornata
Common name: Fringed Ornamental
Given name: ??
This is among the larges of the pokie species, with leg spans potentially reaching 10 inches. As with other Pokies, this species displays eloquently elaborate color patterns. The female P. ornata has green to yellow to purple tones
Habitat: As with most if not all species in this genus, the P. ornata lives in webs that they create in tree holes
Husbandry Notes:
Enclosure: 12x12x24
Sex: Female
Life stage: Adult
Size: Approximately 7.5 in
Growth: Adult size
Disposition: Docile
Eating habits: Eats but not aggressive
Misc: Commonly on display
Genus and species: Poecilotheria rufilata
Common name: Red Slate Ornamental
Given name: ??
This species is found in the Southwestern Ghats of India. They have green, black, and red colorations, making this species a true beauty. Females can reach 8 to 9 inches.
Habitat: As with most if not all species in this genus, the P. rufilata lives in webs that they create in tree holes
Husbandry Notes:
Enclosure: 12x12x18
Sex: Female
Life stage: Adult
Size: Approximately 6 in
Growth: Adult size
Disposition: Docile
Eating habits: Too early to determine
Misc: Commonly on display
Poecilotheria metallica
Common Name: Gooty Sapphire Ornamental Tarantula (also called Metallic Blue Ornamental, Peacock Tarantula)
Origin: Very localized populations in south-eastern India, in fragmented dry forest patches
Lifestyle: Old World, strictly arboreal tarantula; lives in vertical tree hollows and heavy silk retreats; fast and primarily nocturnal
Adult Size: Medium Poecilotheria; typically around 6–8 in (15–20 cm) diagonal leg span, females heavier-bodied than males
Growth Rate: Moderately fast to fast; spiderlings can reach maturity in a few years with warm temperatures and regular feeding
Temperament: Skittish and flighty; prefers to bolt and hide but can become defensive if cornered; strong venom, best suited to experienced keepers
Color & Appearance: Striking metallic/electric blue legs and carapace, bold yellow and white patches on the legs, and an ornate black-and-cream dorsal pattern on the abdomen; the only fully blue Poecilotheria species
Species History
Poecilotheria metallica, better known as the Gooty Sapphire Ornamental or Peacock Tarantula, is an Old World arboreal species native to the dry deciduous forests of south-central India. It’s famous for its intense metallic blue coloration and intricate dorsal patterning, and is the only truly blue member of the genus Poecilotheria.
The species was first described in 1899 by British arachnologist Reginald Innes Pocock, from a female specimen collected near the railway town of Gooty in what is now Andhra Pradesh. The type specimen was reportedly found in a railway timber yard, likely transported there by train from its actual forest home. After that initial discovery, no further wild specimens were confirmed for over a century, leading many to assume it might have vanished. It was dramatically “rediscovered” in 2001 by field researchers working in a small, fragmented forest tract.
Today, P. metallica is known from a very restricted range—originally estimated at under 100 km² in Andhra Pradesh, with later records extending into parts of the Eastern Ghats in Tamil Nadu. Ongoing threats include habitat loss, fuel-wood collection, and fragmentation. The species is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and included in CITES Appendix II, meaning international trade is regulated. In the hobby, however, it is now well-established in captive breeding programs, where responsibly produced, captive-bred animals help meet demand while reducing pressure on the remaining wild populations.
Natural Habitat
In the wild, Poecilotheria metallica is found in a very small region of south-central India, mainly in the dry to moist deciduous forests of Andhra Pradesh with some more recent records from parts of the Eastern Ghats in Tamil Nadu. Within these forests it is strictly arboreal, living high up in tree hollows, bark crevices, and old woodpecker holes that it lines with dense silk.
The climate in its home range is warm and seasonally dry, with a pronounced monsoon and a long, hotter dry period. To cope with this, the spiders retreat deep into their wooden hideouts where humidity stays higher and temperatures more stable. Their natural habitat is now heavily fragmented and disturbed by fuel-wood collection, agriculture, and general deforestation, which is a major reason the species is considered critically endangered in the wild.
Our Specimen:
Given name: Tandoori
Sex: Female
Life stage: Adult
Approximately 6 in
A bit skittish and twitchy
Apparently eats but have not witnessed it
Always attached to the acrylic on top of its enclosure
Genus and species: Poecilotheria formosa
Common name: Salem Ornamental
Given name: Agatha
Sex: Female
Life stage: Adult
This species is found in the Southeastern Ghats of India.
"The Salem ornamental tarantulas are scarcely recorded in their known type locality and have been pushed towards the edge of extinction due to habitat destruction and various anthropogenic activities." Roopha 2022
Habitat: "Forests in these areas are of dry deciduous type with few patches of moist forests. No information is available on this species from the wild in last hundred years except for information on trade." Ramana 2022
Species Notes:
New addition to our collection.
Genus and species: Poecilotheria smithi
Common name: Yellow-Backed Ornamental
Given name: Juju
This species is found in Sri Lanka.
Habitat:
Husbandry Notes:
Enclosure: 12x12x18
Sex: Female
Life stage: Adult
Size: Approximately 6.75 in
Growth: Adult size
Disposition: Slightly more twitchy than our other pokie specimens.
Eating habits: Eats but typically do not observe a take-down
Misc:
Genus and species: Poecilotheria vittata
Common name: Ghost Ornamental
Given name: ??
This species is found in Sri Lanka
Habitat: P. vittata inhabits tree hollows like other pokie species.
Husbandry Notes:
Enclosure: 12x12x18
Sex: Female
Life stage: Adult
Size: Approximately
Growth: Adult size
Disposition:
Eating habits:
Misc:
Genus and species: Poecilotheria miranda
Common name: Bengal Ornamental
Given name: Samosa
This species is though to be native to only the Chhota Nagpur region of India and are among the most infrequently observed species in this genus.
Habitat:
Husbandry Notes:
Enclosure:
Sex:
Life stage: Juvenile
Size: Approximately 2.75 in
Growth: Has molted a couple times. Getting bigger
Disposition: More twitchy than our other pokie specimens.
Eating habits: Have not witnessed this specimen eating but it obviously does.
Misc:
Genus and species: Poecilotheria tigrinawesseli
Common name: Wessel's Tiger Ornamental
Given name: ??
Adult females may reach 7 to 8 inches.
Habitat: As with most if not all species in this genus, the P. tigrinawesseli lives in webs that they create in tree holes
Husbandry Notes:
Enclosure: 12x12x18
Sex: Female
Life stage: Adult
Size: Approximately 6 in
Growth: Adult size
Disposition: ??
Eating habits:??
Misc: ??
Comments