Ivory Ornamental Tarantula (Poecilotheria subfusca)

Meet the ivory ornamental tarantula! This unique spider loves to climb trees in Sri Lanka. With a quick pounce, they catch their food. Join us to discover cool facts about this amazing tree-loving spider!

Scientific Classification

• Family: Theraphosidae
• Genus: Poecilotheria
• Scientific name: Poecilotheria subfusca

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

• Size: Male: 6–7 cm Female: 8–9 cm

• Color: Male: They are pale brown, both on the dorsal and ventral sides. All four leg pairs appear metallic brown. Female: They have a more striking appearance, resembling a starburst. The carapace is dark brown with pale edges and a set of cream-colored mouthparts. The legs are similar, made up of segments alternating in cream and black parts.
• Other Characteristic Features: The females tend to be much larger than the males.

Eggs

The eggs of this tarantula are bright orange.

Spiderlings

The spiderlings are brown and covered with setae. After maturing, they will start resembling the adults.

The Web

They create an asymmetrical tunnel web, visible only at night.

Are Ivory Ornamental Tarantulas Venomous?

Yes, Ivory Ornamental tarantulas have venom. It is quite potent, causing severe localized damage if injected via a bite.

Can Ivory Ornamental Tarantulas Bite?

Ivory Ornamental tarantulas are incredibly agile and capable of delivering a nasty bite. They might bite if they feel cornered, but they’re mostly focused on their tree-climbing and hunting.

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Ivory Ornamental Tarantula

As a crucial component of their ecosystem, the ivory ornamental tarantula helps maintain insect populations. Their nocturnal tree-climbing hunts showcase their role as both predator and prey within the forest’s food web.

Natural Predators: Despite their venom, these tarantulas are not without threats. Birds of prey and larger reptiles often prey on them, maintaining the delicate balance of the ecological hierarchy.

Prey-Predator Dynamics: Their diet comprises various insects, making them essential in regulating insect abundance and preventing overpopulation, which could otherwise lead to crop damage and spread of disease.

Relationship with Humans: Humans rarely encounter ivory ornamental tarantulas, and their venom, though potent, is not lethal to humans. In fact, their presence signifies a healthy, undisturbed habitat, critical for biodiversity conservation.

Quick Facts

Did You Know

• It is often classified separately – Poecilotheria uniformis (highland ivory ornamental tarantula) and Poecilotheria bara (lowland ivory ornamental tarantula). The two can be distinguished from the markings on their abdomens, with the lowland variant having an incomplete pattern instead of the more completed pattern on the highland variant.
• These tarantulas have a mutualistic relationship with certain frogs like Nagao’s pug-snout frog. The spider protects the frog from predators, while the frog keeps ants away from the spider’s eggs.

In summary, the ivory ornamental tarantula is a key player in its ecosystem, reflecting the rich biodiversity of Sri Lanka’s forests.