Poecilotheria hanumavilasumica
✓ VerifiedRameshwaram Ornamental Tarantula, Rameshwaram Parachute Spider
Krishna GSVL, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Quick Facts
Adult Size
6-7 inches
Growth Rate
moderate
Temperament
Extremely fast and defensive; potent venom, strictly not for handling
Taxonomy
Community
Experience Required
Advanced
Experienced keepers only
🌡️ Climate Requirements
Temperature Range
75–84°F
(24–29°C)
Humidity Range
70% - 80%
🏠 Enclosure Sizes
Sling
3x3x6 inches
Juvenile
8x8x12 inches
Adult
12x10x16 inches
🪨 Substrate
Type
coco fiber
Depth
3 inches
🍽️ Feeding Schedule
Sling
2x per week
Juvenile
weekly
Adult
every 7-10 days
Prey Size
medium
💧 Additional Care Notes
Water Dish
Required
Webbing
heavy
Burrowing
No
🕷️ Behavior & Temperament
General Temperament
Extremely fast and defensive; potent venom, strictly not for handling
Care Guide
Poecilotheria hanumavilasumica is one of the rarest Poecilotheria in captivity, known only from a tiny area around Rameshwaram Island in Tamil Nadu, India — it is classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN and listed on CITES Appendix II. Only captive-bred specimens should ever be acquired, and records of provenance should be maintained by keepers. They display attractive grey and yellow patterning similar to other Poecilotheria species. Care follows the standard Poecilotheria protocol: tall arboreal enclosure with flat cork bark retreats, light misting every 2-3 days with strong cross-ventilation, and a ground-level water dish. As with all Poecilotheria, the venom is medically significant — documented bites have caused severe systemic symptoms. Approach with the same extreme caution as P. ornata or P. metallica. Keeping this species is a conservation responsibility; maintaining breeding records is strongly encouraged.
⚠️ Safety Information
Urticating Hairs
This species does not have urticating hairs (Old World species).
Venom Potency
⚠️ WARNING: This species has medically significant venom. Bites can cause severe pain and systemic effects. Only for experienced keepers. Seek immediate medical attention if bitten.
Species Statistics
0
Total Keepers
N/A
Community Rating
Advanced
Care Level
🕷️
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