Poecilotheria ornata
| Poecilotheria ornata | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Female Poecilotheria ornata | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Suborder: | Mygalomorphae |
| Family: | Theraphosidae |
| Subfamily: | Poecilotheriinae |
| Genus: | Poecilotheria |
| Species: | P. ornata |
| Binomial name | |
| Poecilotheria ornata (Pocock, 1899) | |
Poecilotheria ornata, or the fringed ornamental, is a large arboreal tarantula. Their legspan sometimes reaches 10 inches (25 cm), and is probably the second largest of the genus, behind Poecilotheria rufilata.
Name
The name Poecilotheria is derived from Greek "poikilos" - spotted and "therion" - wild beast. Ornata refers to "adorned to". This whole genus of arboreal tarantulas exhibits an intricate fractal-like pattern on the abdomen. This spider is endemic to the forests of Sri Lanka.
Behavior
The P. ornata behavior parallels that of many arboreal spiders. In the wild the P. ornata live in holes of tall trees where they make asymmetric funnel webs. Their primary prey consists of various flying insects, which they catch manually (not in a web) and paralyze. It is not unknown for the spiders of this genus to live communally when territory, i.e. number of holes per tree, is limited.
Bites
Although there has never been a recorded death from any tarantula bite this species is considered to have a medically significant bite, with venom that may cause intense pain, and extreme muscle cramping judging from the experience of keepers bitten by this species .[1][2][3] They move rapidly and, although they generally prefer flight to fight, may attack when cornered.
There are, however, a seemingly large incidence of bites from this species relative to the other species in the genus.
References
- ↑ Gabriel,, R. (2002). "Notes and Observations Regarding the Bite of Poecilotheria pederseni". British Tarantula Society Journal 17 (2): 61–64.
- ↑ Phong's Tarantulas! - Tarantula bites
- ↑ Schmidt, G. (1988): Wie gefährlich sind Vogelspinnenbisse ? Deutsches Ärzteblatt 85 Heft 28/29(2): 1424-1425. (u. a. Infos about Poecilotheria fasciata)