Ivory Ornamental Tarantula

1 Overview

The ivory ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria subfusca) is a relatively rare and prized species. Its most distinctive feature is the radiant white stripes on its back (or spiny white stripes in the lowland form), which set it apart from other members of its genus. Adult individuals also display a unique black-and-white abdominal pattern unmatched elsewhere in the genus, making them especially striking.

This species was listed by Sri Lanka in 1993 as prohibited for commercial collection and export, and the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) includes it on its list of threatened species.

Chinese name: Ivory ornamental tarantula

Latin name: Poecilotheria subfusca

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Arachnida

Order: Araneae

Species: Poecilotheria subfusca

Distribution: Tropical rainforests of Sri Lanka

2 Physical Characteristics

The adult ivory ornamental tarantula can reach a body length of about 19 cm. This spider is highly aggressive and fast-moving, with a strong tendency to bite without warning, and its venom is more potent than that of typical tarantulas, so it is not suitable to handle or play with.

On close inspection, the coloration on their legs is somewhat similar to that of the Sri Lankan ornamental (Poecilotheria ornata), but the patterns on their carapace and abdomen are exhilarating and unique. As a member of the genus Poecilotheria, it has relatively high aggression and potency, which makes it unsuitable for beginners and suited only to enthusiasts who love ‘pokies’ and have considerable keeping experience.

3 Habitat & Environment

Most lizards enjoy climbing, and the ivory ornamental is no exception, so when setting up a home enclosure you should include a piece of wood or branch for climbing. Because this species is relatively high in both aggression and venom potency, you must exercise extra caution when keeping it.

When keeping the ivory ornamental, place a small water dish in the enclosure, preferably with cooled boiled water. Ensure good air circulation inside the enclosure; the substrate need not be too wet, just keep the small water dish filled. Keepers should note that the highland form should be kept at a temperature lower than that preferred by other tarantulas. To support normal growth and reduce the chance of sudden death, it is best to keep the temperature within 22–25°C.

Recommended substrate: moist peat or coconut fiber. Provide a taller enclosure and add a piece of bark for climbing and hiding. The small spiderlings may dig some burrows (perhaps in the wild they hide among tree roots near the ground).

4 Care & Maintenance

Because the ivory ornamental became popular relatively late, combined with the difficulty of captive breeding and relatively low output, its price is, as its Chinese name suggests, ‘ivory’-level — that is, expensive.

Although the species is endangered in the wild, captive-breeding techniques have matured in recent years and more affordable captive-bred individuals are now available. Every keeper has a duty to refuse to buy wild-caught specimens.

For feeding, the ivory ornamental can be offered crickets, mealworms, and superworms; adults can be fed pinkie mice.