Featherleg Baboon Tarantula

Looks how to spot one

hair

The body is covered in dense, feathery setae (hairs), especially on the hind legs, giving a fluffy appearance. The carapace and abdomen have a cryptic pattern of tan, beige, brown and olive with black markings, including a starburst design on the carapace and a fishbone pattern on the abdomen.13

Personality what they are like

This is an extremely defensive and aggressive Old World tarantula. It is very fast, skittish and unpredictable, often choosing to attack rather than flee when disturbed. It will readily strike repeatedly if provoked. Handling is strongly discouraged and the species is strictly for advanced, experienced keepers only.452

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Low activity outside its web; it spends most of its time inside a tubular web retreat and only emerges at night to hunt. It requires a tall, vertical enclosure with climbing structures and a retreat.14

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Minimal grooming needed; the spider keeps itself clean. The keeper must maintain a secure, well-ventilated enclosure with a water dish and regular misting. All maintenance should be done with long tools and extreme caution due to the spider's speed and venom.53

Home where they are happiest

A tall, arboreal terrarium (minimum 20x20x30 cm for an adult) with excellent cross-ventilation. Provide a vertical cork bark tube or similar hide, artificial plants, and 3-5 cm of substrate (coco coir/peat). Temperature 23-28°C, humidity 70-80%. A water dish and regular misting are essential. This species is venomous with medically significant venom; it should be managed as a no-contact display animal.4352

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A voracious predator. Spiderlings eat flightless fruit flies and pinhead crickets. Adults eat 2-3 medium crickets or one dubia roach every 7-10 days, or 4-5 large crickets every 2-3 weeks. Prey should be no larger than 2/3 the spider's body size.42

Company who they like around

Strictly solitary; must be housed alone. It is a venomous, defensive species that should never be handled. In some countries, keeping venomous tarantulas may be regulated or require a permit; always check local laws.52

The story where it all began

Stromatopelma calceatum was first described by the Danish naturalist Johan Christian Fabricius in 1793. It has been known under several scientific names over the centuries. In the pet trade, it has gained a reputation as one of the most challenging and dangerous tarantulas to keep, prized by expert collectors for its stunning cryptic camouflage and aggressive feeding behaviour. It is not a beginner's pet and is recommended only for experienced keepers.142

Recognised by the official bits

Wikipedia

First described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 17931