Fringed Ornamental Tarantula (Poecilotheria ornata)

What Do Fringed Ornamental Tarantulas Look Like?

Fringed Ornamental Tarantula has a stout, curved abdomen with long, strong legs covered in spines.

As their name implies, these tarantulas are adorned with fringed hairs on their legs and abdomens.

They can range in color from bright shades to muted tones, typically featuring a brown or pink hue and sometimes with purple streaks.

Poecilotheria ornata can grow up to 10 inches in length, reaching maturity in two to three years.

They have fangs that are fused and are equipped with sensory organs at the tips of their feelers, or palps, which help them to find prey in their native rainforest environments.

These tarantulas can be identified by the distinct horns adorning their carapaces and the wide, web-like patterns on their abdomens.

Benefits Of Using Fringed Ornamental Tarantulas

Fringed Ornamental Tarantulas make a great addition to many types of vivariums.

Not only do they add aesthetic appeal, but they also help to maintain insect populations, as well as act as a natural predator.

To encourage healthy growth, they require a specific habitat that is temperature-controlled, with appropriate levels of humidity and lighting.

Plus, they are easy to feed and handle, making them ideal for both beginner and experienced arachnid keepers.

With the right care, Poecilotheria ornata can live a long and healthy life as a part of your enclosure.

Fringed Ornamental Tarantula Facts

Fringed Ornamental Tarantulas are insectivorous arachnids, found mostly in Sri Lanka.

They have a unique pattern with bright orange to yellow hues, and males can reach leg spans up to several inches.

Poecilotheria ornata are known to be docile, though can be skittish with handling.

These arachnids have a long lifespan of many years and can be successfully bred in captivity.

Habitat

Specifically, Poecilotheria ornata come from a wet climate in the Eastern Ghats mountain range in South India.

In their natural habitat, they are often found in old, hollow trees, rock crevices, and other dark nooks.

The surface of their natural habitats is warm and humid with a temperature range of 65°F – 85°F and relative humidity of 80 – 90%.

These tarantulas prefer to spend their days hiding in small caves or crevices near the trunks of trees and during the night, they scavenge for food.

Replicate their natural habitat perfectly with our bioactive species-specific soil mixes, designed to provide the ideal moisture and organic content for your spiders.

Diet

The diet of Fringed Ornamental Tarantulas largely consists of other insects, such as crickets, cockroaches, and flies.

When in the wild, these creatures can typically find a plentiful source of food.

They are active hunters and will wander about in the nighttime, looking for prey to feed on.

Some have even been observed taking on small lizards or frogs occasionally. 

While molting, the tarantula may consume its old exoskeleton, and you should take extra care to ensure that there is a source of calcium in the diet to supplement the lack of calcium in the exoskeleton. 

Temperament

Poecilotheria ornata has a generally timid and reclusive temperament.

These tarantulas prefer to avoid contact with humans and other animals, so when handling them, extreme caution is advised.

It’s always best to use forceps when handling these tarantulas and to be extremely gentle and respectful in all interactions.

When threatened, the tarantula can defend itself by using its urticating bristles.

It’s best to avoid any situation that might provoke the tarantula to feel threatened, such as a sudden and forceful movement.

Tarantulas may also kick hairs from their abdomen in self-defense, so it’s wise to wear protective clothing when working with them. 

In general, Fringed Ornamental Tarantulas prefer to be kept solitary and without interference.

Lifespan

The lifespan of Poecilotheria ornata can range from 3 to 12 years, depending on its environment, sex, and care.

Males typically live shorter lifespans averaging around 3 years, while females live 4 times longer with an average of 12 years.

In captivity, they typically have a longer life expectancy due to the control and stability within their living space.

They have a distinct life cycle like most other tarantula species; they hatch from eggs as spiderlings, molt several times as they grow (typically 6-7 times), and reach maturity at around a year or two old. 

Breeding

During the breeding season, Fringed Ornamental Tarantulas reach sexual maturity.

To increase your chances of successful mating, it is advisable to keep both sexes in separate enclosures until they are ready to mate.

After introducing the male and female tarantulas and allowing them to get comfortable in each other’s company, the female will begin to release pheromones to indicate her willingness to mate.

The male will serve as the aggressor and will attempt to woo the female by dancing and showing off his specialized body markings.

Once the female has been wooed, he will then initiate physical contact before eventually mounting the female.

During this stage, the male will begin a process known as vibratory courtship.

This is when he produces mating vibrations using his stridulating organ.

After the courtship is completed, the female will create a sperm web, where she will entrap the sperm mass.

After mating, both sexes can remain together for weeks.

The female will carry the sperm mass with her until she is ready to lay her eggs.

Once she has laid her eggs, she will create an egg sac to protect and insulate them.

Females of some species will continue to protect their egg sacs even after they have hatched until the young emerge.

Where To Find Fringed Ornamental Tarantulas

Poecilotheria ornata can be found in Southwestern India. In these locations, they inhabit large trees and shrubs.

If you’re looking for a Fringed Ornamental Tarantula as a pet, they can also be found for sale in some pet stores and online.

You can also purchase them directly from breeders.

When purchasing venomous spiders, we recommend buying them from reputable breeders as wild-trapped specimens may have already been exposed to countless potential dangers before rescue.