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Poecilotheria rufilata

🔤 Taxonomy

Poecilotheria rufilata is the currently accepted scientific name. World Spider Catalog treats it as an accepted Indian species and links the trade restriction to CITES.

Common names often emphasize red or slate colors, but use the scientific name for records. Several Poecilotheria species are traded under similar ornamental names.

English common names used in the hobby:

  • red slate ornamental tarantula
  • giant slate red ornamental
  • Travancore slate-red

📌 Description

Poecilotheria rufilata is one of the largest Indian ornamental tarantulas, with long legs, slate-grey patterning, and reddish tones that are most obvious in well-lit adults.

Adults are usually about 18-22 cm legspan. Females become substantial arboreal spiders, while mature males are slimmer and more mobile.

This is an expert display animal: fast, vertical, capable of a medically significant bite, and strong enough that every door, vent, and water change needs planning.

☠️ Venom

Treat Poecilotheria rufilata as medically significant. A bite can cause severe local pain and possible systemic symptoms such as cramps, nausea, dizziness, and prolonged discomfort.

Do not handle it. Use tools, catch cups, and controlled rehousing containers. Medical advice is appropriate after any serious bite, allergic response, breathing issue, or spreading symptoms.

🌍 Distribution

World Spider Catalog lists Poecilotheria rufilata from India, and the species is associated with the Western Ghats and forested tree retreats in trade and field literature.

Captive care should provide warm humid air with excellent ventilation, bark hollows, and enough vertical space for a very large arboreal tarantula. A sealed wet enclosure is not a substitute for forest structure.

Range map

⚖️ Legal status

Poecilotheria rufilata is covered by the CITES Appendix II listing for Poecilotheria spp. In the EU wildlife trade system, Poecilotheria tarantulas are treated under Annex B rules. The species is not relevant to the Bern Convention because it is not native to Europe.

Keep purchase invoices, breeder details, import or transfer paperwork where relevant, and photos or records that connect the animal to a lawful source. Local rules on ownership, import, sale, transport, exhibition, breeding, and proof of legal origin may still apply.

🤌 Husbandry

House Poecilotheria rufilata alone. Routine communal keeping is not appropriate for a large fast ornamental tarantula.

Spiderlings should be kept in secure vertical starter containers where prey can be found and molts can be checked. Large juveniles and adults need taller enclosures, strong ventilation, and a retreat that does not force them to sit in the open.

Plan maintenance before opening the enclosure. Large Poecilotheria can cross a door gap before the keeper reacts.

Useful adult priorities:

  • tall enclosure with reliable locks
  • large cork tube or bark slab
  • strong cross-ventilation
  • water dish reachable without contact
  • open climbing path that does not aim at the door

💡 Lighting

No specialist lighting is required. A normal room day-night rhythm is enough.

Avoid hot display lamps. They can dry upper retreats quickly and make a fast arboreal spider more difficult to manage.

🌡 Heating and temperature

Use stable warmth around 23-27°C by day, with nights around 20-23°C. Avoid temperatures above the high twenties in small or sealed setups.

If extra heat is needed, warm the room or one side of the enclosure gently and thermostat-controlled. Never heat from a point that the spider cannot avoid.

💧 Humidity and water

Aim for about 65-80% with fresh water and high airflow. Moisture should support molts without making the enclosure stale.

Let bark surfaces dry between heavier moisture inputs. The water dish and a small damp zone are usually safer than frequent heavy misting.

🌿 Enclosure and decoration

Use a tall enclosure with cork bark, vertical hides, stable branches, and a few centimeters of substrate to buffer moisture.

Avoid mesh lids, loose panels, and decorations that block access to the water dish. The layout should make routine care possible without flushing the spider out of its retreat.

🪳 Feeding

Feed roaches, crickets, locusts where legal, and occasional worms. Adults usually do well on suitable prey every 7-14 days.

A large Poecilotheria may strike hard and fast. Use tongs only to place prey, not to test the spider, and remove uneaten prey before molts.

🩺 Common problems

Common problems include escapes, fall injuries during frantic movement, poor ventilation, stale wet bark, dehydration, and unsafe rehousing.

If the spider bolts during maintenance, close the room first, keep the catch cup ready, and avoid grabbing. Good enclosure design prevents most emergencies.

📌 Conclusion

Poecilotheria rufilata is for experienced keepers who want a large arboreal display spider and can manage speed, venom risk, and CITES paperwork without handling.

📚 Sources and further reading