Home / Tarantulas / Salem Ornamental Tarantula (Poecilotheria formosa)

Salem Ornamental Tarantula (Poecilotheria formosa)

The Salem ornamental tarantula is a member of the family of tarantulas. They are found in southern India and are popular as pets in the U.S.

Poecilotheria formosa

Scientific Classification

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: 14-16 cm (5.5-6.3 in)

Color: These spiders are primarily black and white, with some visible purple hues.

Other Characteristic Features: They are very agile, moving very quickly if necessary.

Salem Ornamental Tarantula

Eggs

The female mother lays her eggs inside a sac made of webbing.

Spiderlings

When they are young, they tend to hide and dig their own burrows in their environment. They become mature at around 2 years.

The Web

These tarantulas are ambush predators and do not build webs for capturing prey.

Is the Salem Ornamental Tarantula Venomous

These tarantulas possess very potent venom, with their bite even leading to hospitalizations. However, there haven’t been any recorded deaths so far.

Beautiful Parachute Spider

Quick Facts

Other names Beautiful parachute spider, Finely formed parachute spider
Lifespan Male: 3-4 years

Female: 12-15 years

Distribution Southern India, between Salem and Tirupathi in the Eastern Ghats
Habitat Tropical forests
Diet Butter worms, cockroaches, crickets, houseflies, locusts, mealworms, and superworms

Did You Know

  • British zoologist Reginald Innes Pocock F.R.S. first described this spider in 1899.

Image Source: alchetron.com, i.pinimg.com

The Salem ornamental tarantula is a member of the family of tarantulas. They are found in southern India and are popular as pets in the U.S.

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: 14-16 cm (5.5-6.3 in)

Color: These spiders are primarily black and white, with some visible purple hues.

Other Characteristic Features: They are very agile, moving very quickly if necessary.

Salem Ornamental Tarantula

Eggs

The female mother lays her eggs inside a sac made of webbing.

Spiderlings

When they are young, they tend to hide and dig their own burrows in their environment. They become mature at around 2 years.

The Web

These tarantulas are ambush predators and do not build webs for capturing prey.

Is the Salem Ornamental Tarantula Venomous

These tarantulas possess very potent venom, with their bite even leading to hospitalizations. However, there haven’t been any recorded deaths so far.

Beautiful Parachute Spider

Quick Facts

Other names Beautiful parachute spider, Finely formed parachute spider
Lifespan Male: 3-4 years

Female: 12-15 years

Distribution Southern India, between Salem and Tirupathi in the Eastern Ghats
Habitat Tropical forests
Diet Butter worms, cockroaches, crickets, houseflies, locusts, mealworms, and superworms

Did You Know

  • British zoologist Reginald Innes Pocock F.R.S. first described this spider in 1899.

Image Source: alchetron.com, i.pinimg.com

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