Not furry either, still lovely.
Orange Baboon Tarantula
Pterinochilus murinus
Also called OBT, Orange Bitey Thing, Mombasa Golden Starburst Tarantula, Usambara Baboon, Pterror
From Central, eastern and southern Africa, including Angola, Burundi, Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.12
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Diagonal leg span (DLS) from tip of front left leg to tip of rear right leg.
Looks how to spot one
hair
The body is covered in short hairs with longer hairs on the legs. It lacks urticating hairs. The carapace has a star-shaped pattern and the abdomen a fishbone pattern. The eyes are clustered on a raised part of the carapace.1
Personality what they are like
This tarantula is extremely defensive and aggressive, often attacking without warning. It is fast, will readily bite, and its venom is medically significant. It should never be handled and is only suitable for experienced keepers.125
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Low activity needs. Provide a secure enclosure with plenty of substrate for burrowing and anchor points for webbing. It is a terrestrial species that may show semi-arboreal behaviour in captivity.25
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Minimal grooming. Keep the enclosure dry with good ventilation. Provide a water dish and mist occasionally. Use extreme caution during maintenance; never put hands inside the enclosure while the spider has access.25
Home where they are happiest
A secure terrestrial or semi-arboreal enclosure with at least 2-3 inches of dry substrate for burrowing, cork bark or a retreat, excellent ventilation, and a water dish. The enclosure should be no smaller than three times the spider's leg span. This species is not suitable for beginners due to its defensive nature and potent venom.125
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Insectivorous. Feed crickets, roaches, locusts, and mealworms. Adults can be fed every 2-3 weeks; juveniles every 7-10 days. They may also take small vertebrates but these are not commonly used in captivity.125
Company who they like around
Solitary. Must be housed alone. It is extremely defensive and should never be handled. Its bite is very painful and medically significant. Keepers should use protective gear during maintenance.12
The story where it all began
First described by Reginald Innes Pocock in 1897, this species has been kept in the hobby for many years. It is known for its beautiful orange colour forms and its notoriously defensive temperament, earning it the nickname 'Orange Bitey Thing'. It remains a popular but challenging species for advanced keepers.12
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Orange Baboon Tarantula. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Humidity checkevery 2 days
- Water dishevery 2 days
- FeedingDepends on species, size and moult stagevaries
- Spot cleanRemove leftover foodevery week
- Moult noteLeave them in peace while moulting and note it in the diaryvaries
- Substrate changeevery 6 months
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Orange Baboon Tarantula?
Adults can be fed every 2-3 weeks, while juveniles should be fed every 7-10 days. Always follow the food label and consult your vet for exact amounts.125
What does an Orange Baboon Tarantula eat, and what should it never eat?
It eats crickets, roaches, locusts, and mealworms. Never feed it wild-caught insects or vertebrates without vet guidance.125
How much space does an Orange Baboon Tarantula need?
The enclosure should be no smaller than three times the spider's leg span, with at least 2-3 inches of dry substrate for burrowing. Provide cork bark or a retreat and excellent ventilation.125
What temperature, light or water does an Orange Baboon Tarantula need?
Keep the enclosure dry with good ventilation, provide a water dish, and mist occasionally. Temperature and light needs vary; ask your exotic-pet vet for specific guidance.25
How often should I clean an Orange Baboon Tarantula's home?
Spot clean weekly to remove leftover food, and change the substrate every 6 months. Always use extreme caution during maintenance. Furry Diary plan
Can an Orange Baboon Tarantula live with others?
No, it must be housed alone. It is extremely defensive and should never be handled.12
How long does an Orange Baboon Tarantula live?
Lifespan varies from 3 to 15 years. Ask your vet for more specific information based on your individual tarantula.23
Can I handle an Orange Baboon Tarantula?
No, this tarantula should never be handled. It is extremely defensive, fast, and its venom is medically significant.125
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- en.wikipedia.org: Pterinochilus murinus en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, length cm, coat or body, colours, temperament, habitat needs, diet basics, social needs, history, fun fact
- thetarantulacollective.com: pterinochilus murinus thetarantulacollective.comused for origin, length cm, lifespan years, best traits, temperament, activity needs, grooming or care, habitat needs, diet basics, social needs, history
- urbantarantulas.com: obt tarantula orange bitey thing pterinochilus murinus urbantarantulas.comused for lifespan years
- fearnottarantulas.com: pterinochilus murinus orange baboon tarantula obt fearnottarantulas.comused for best traits
- academy.herpeton.net: pterinochilus murinus academy.herpeton.netused for colours, temperament, activity needs, grooming or care, habitat needs, diet basics, fun fact
- tarantulafriendly.com: orange baboon tarantula tarantulafriendly.com
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-10-01. Text is written in our own words from these sources.