Poecilotheria regalis (Pocock, 1899)

Entymology

Poecilotheria (latin + greek), colored + beast
regalis, (latin), royal

Introduction

The genus Poecilotheria Pocock 1885 contains at the moment of 16 species whom are found in India and in Sri Lanka. Around 10 species of them are in the hobby and many are bred frequently. Most of them have striking coloration and markings, such as the steel blue metallica.
Poecilotheria have been of interest for CITES because of the trade with adult wild caught specimens, however the suggestion to list it was denied.
Several species of the genus are listed on The IUCN List of Threatened Species and hanumavilasumica and metallica are listed as critically endangered.

In the wild

P. regalis can be found around Madras in southwest India. All members of  Poecilotheria are arboreal, they live under the bark or in hollows in trees. Several individuals have been found in one spot, usually the female with her offspring.

In the terrarium

A really beautiful spider that doesn’t demand special requirements of the owner. Easily recognized from the other “pokes” by a light band across the abdomens dorsal side – the other species lack this band. Although its easy to care for it can’t be considered a good beginner species, because they are very fast and can be aggressive. A terrarium measuring 30x30x40cm (L W H) is large enough for regalis. A layer of slightly moisten peat is a excellent substrate. Lean a few slabs of cork bark against the sides and back of the cage which will be good hiding spots for the spider. Usually they hide behind one of the cork bark pieces at the bottom, and they live in a similar way in the wild but in a hollow tree or behind loose pieces of bark. In the terrarium they climb up on to the bark at night waiting for food. Put some branches in for decoration if you wish. Always keep a water bowl in the cage.

Above: Poecilotheria terrarium measuring 30x30x40cm (L W H)
Below: Adult female eating a cockroach

Above: Adult male

Spray the substrate and cork once a week. These spiders do not live in a humid rainforest but in a more tempererate forest that are found in large parts of India and Sri Lanka.
The males have a shorter longevity then the females but if you buy a young female she will live for around 10 years if cared for properly. Spiderlings are often for sale, and this species is the most common available in the genus. Other species of Poecilotheria such as fasciata and ornata are kept in a similar way.

Breeding

As always its important to prepare the spiders carefully before introducing the male to the female. The female should be freshly molted and fed alot after the molt. The male should be as newly molted as possible, and should have a cage close to the female so they can sence each others presence. Make sure he spins a spermweb. Let the male in to the female after dark. Often he begins to drum immediatly to make a signal that he is around and are willing to breed. After he female have detected him she usually start drum to answer him if she in her turn are ready to mate. This drumming can go on for days until a mating occur. The acctual mating is fast and after the male retreat from the female. She hopefully will produce an eggsack after 6 weeks and after additional 6 weeks the eggs will hatch. My attempt ended in a destroyed eggsack and the eggs was ruined. Probably because we were in the midst of moving and that disturbed the female.

Above: The male got eaten
Below: juvenile regalis

Food

Give them insects such as crickets, cockroaches and grasshoppers. The size and amount are adjusted to the spiders size. Feed adults 1-2 times a week, spiderlings 3-4 times a week. If fed properly the males reach maturity in 1,5 years, and the females a year later.

Handing

The attitude varies a bit with the species, some individuals may be very calm while others more nervous and could bite if picked up. I do not recommend anyone handling these spiders with bare hands. Its been sad that the venom from Poecilotheria are a bit stronger then from most other theraphosids. For transport use a plastic box to secure the spider.

Above: Drawing by Pocock from the description paper

External sites

www.poecilotheria.com