King Baboon Tarantula

Looks how to spot one

hair (setae)

The entire body is covered in a velvety, dense coat of fine orange hairs, giving it a plush appearance. The back legs are especially thick and powerful, ending with a slightly turned-in foot, making the tarantula look pigeon-toed.12

Personality what they are like

This tarantula is highly defensive and quick to strike. It will often rear up and produce a loud hissing sound by rubbing its leg femurs together. It is not suitable for handling and is best left as a display animal for experienced keepers. Its bite is very painful, though not lethal to humans.172

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Nocturnal and mostly sedentary. It spends most of its time in its burrow and comes out mainly at night to hunt. It does not need exercise but requires deep substrate to satisfy its burrowing instinct.14

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

No special grooming needed. The enclosure should be kept clean and any leftover prey removed promptly. Moulting is a vulnerable time; leave the spider undisturbed and do not offer food until its exoskeleton has hardened.7

Home where they are happiest

A terrestrial terrarium with at least 20-25 cm (8 inches) of deep, firm substrate such as a mix of peat, vermiculite, coconut fibre and soil to allow burrowing. Provide good ventilation, a shallow water dish, and a warm area of 72-78°F (22-26°C) with a humidity of 50-65%. The enclosure must be very secure, as this strong spider can push off loose lids.162

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Carnivorous. Feed appropriately sized live insects: crickets, locusts, cockroaches. Spiderlings eat fruit flies and pinhead crickets. Adults can occasionally be offered a fuzzy mouse or house gecko as a treat. Feed young once or twice a week, adults once a week.172

Company who they like around

Solitary. It must be housed alone. It is venomous and defensive; do not handle. This species is not illegal to keep in most countries, but local regulations on venomous invertebrates vary, so check before acquiring one.12

The story where it all began

The king baboon tarantula was first described by the German arachnologist Ferdinand Anton Franz Karsch in 1885. It is the only species in the genus Pelinobius, though it was previously known as Citharischius crawshayi. In the wild it lives in dry acacia scrubland and savanna soils of East Africa, where it digs deep, permanent burrows. It has been kept in captivity for decades and is prized by advanced collectors for its enormous size, striking orange colour and bold defensive behaviour. Its powerful venom and aggressive temperament mean it is not recommended for beginners.162