Malaysian Earth Tiger Tarantula

Omothymus schioedtei is a large and colourful arboreal tarantula from the subfamily Ornithoctoninae. It is a very large spider with a leg span of 22 cm (8.7 in) and a carapace length above 3 cm (1.2 in). The species exhibits distinct sexual dimorphism. Males are olive green in colouration which becomes more prominent with each subsequent molt until maturity. Females are brown as juveniles, and with each molt gain a lighter olive green carapace and a dark grey and black abdomen and legs. Both sexes have long red hairs covering their abdomen and legs in addition to stripes on their abdomens which resemble the stripes of tigers, giving the species their common name.

The species is found in Malaysia and Thailand. It lives in primary lowland and foothill monsoon forest in hollow trees many meters up. Adult females are almost entirely found in large mature trees, but younger animals can be found behind loose bark, in rock crevices and in man made structures like bridges and board walks.

== References ==