Indian ornamental Trantula (Poecilotheria regalis)

Quick stats:
Type: Arboreal, but may burrow some, espescially as spiderlings
Size (approx): 6½" Male
Feeding: Large crickets, roaches
Enclosure: Medium pet-pal
Substrate: 1-2" potting soil
Furnishings: Cork bark slab
Temp/humidity: 80-84°F, 70-80% humidity
Temperment: Speedy, somewhat defensive if threatened
Recieved from: Arachnocentric on 05/27/2000

The P. regalis's photo album

  The Indian ornamental
She's starting to get some size and color.

Species Information:
Poecilotheria regalis is probably the most popular ornamental in the hobby. Like the other pokeys, they are purported to have powerful venom compared to most other tarantulas. They are native to India as their name would suggest. Their speed makes them a poor choice for the beginner, but they're a beautiful classic for those with more experience.

Feeding:
Big crickets mostly, some roaches.

Housing:
The spider lives in a medium sized pet-pal tipped up on end. Substrate is an inch or two of potting soil. There is a piece of cork bark for climbing.

The pokeys seem to have some burrowing behavior as small 'lings, and I've seen that in this one as well. It dug a little burrow under the cork bark stick along the side of the side of the cage, and supplimented that with a mass of dirt and webbing above ground. The result is a network of dirt/web tunnlels.

I try to keep the humidity around 75-80%. It's usually about 80-84°F in my spider room, where it is kept. Because it's still really too small for a water dish, humidity is maintained by misting and moist substrate.

 Pet-pal arboreal setup
This cage is set up the same as the one for the P. regalis.

Temperment:
She's a speedy little demon. More shy than the ornata, but not as shy as the P. formosa.

Molting:

 Date  Old LS  New LS 
 06/07/2000  1¼"?  1½"? 
  - Notes: The lost leg was regenerated and is fully functional, but is scrawny and pale.
 06/26/2000  1½"?  2"? 
  - Notes: The lost leg looks perfect now.
 07/20/2000  2"?  2½"? 
 08/18/2000  2½"?  3¼" 
 09/23/2000  3¼"  4¼" 
 11/01/2000  4¼"?  5½" 
 01/07/2000  5½"  6½" 
  - Notes: Molted into a mature male (not unexpectedly).
 

Copyright ©1999-2008 Thomas Schumm