Indian Ornamental Tarantula
Poecilotheria regalis

This large arboreal spider is an adept climber and makes a silk-lined retreat within a tree cavity. It is camouflaged to look like tree bark, but has bright yellow markings on the underside of its first two pairs of legs. These are warning colors advertising danger to enemies when the spider rears up in strike position.

Fact File

Ecological Role: Predator

Habitat: Tropical forest

Adult Lifespan: Male - 1 yr; Female - More than 20 yrs

Prey: Insects, small lizards and rodents