Pet care and more. 2,234 Animals Online Today  
Pet care and information. 
Animal care and advice.
Home Coupons Email eCards Classifieds News Search Forums Help

Common Name:
Usambara Orange Baboon Tarantula
Related Pages:
 More Photos
 Articles & Stories
 Books
 Magazines
 Clubs
 Breeders
 Pet Products
 Pet Webcams
 Links Page
 Printer Friendly
 Corrections
 Tell a Friend

Related Searches:
 Site Search
 Search Forums
 Search the Web
 Veterinarians
 Pet Shops
 Pet Adoptions
 Service Providers

More Stuff:
 Go to Forums
 Insects eCards
 Subscribe

Pet Categories:
 Mammals
 Birds
 Fish & More
 Reptiles & More
 Insects & More





Pet or animal picture
Photo: Edward Higdon
More informationFree greeting card linkLink to larger size animal photo
More Photos / Submit a Photo
Common Name:  Usambara Orange Baboon Tarantula

Other Common Names:  Mombassa Golden Starburst Tarantula, Mombassa Golden Sunburst Baboon, True Starburst

Scientific Name:  Pterinochilus murinus  (Full Taxonomy)

Group:  

Origin or Range:  Africa

Relative Size:  Average  
    (as compared to other tarantulas)

Average Lifespan:  ??? year(s)

Compatibility:  Aggressive   
    (as compared to other tarantulas)

Category:  Arachnids » Tarantulas
Animal Description:  

The Usambara Orange Baboon is a beautiful tarantula. For this reason they have become more and more popular among experienced hobbyists.

The Usambara Orange Baboon is semi-arboreal, meaning it is comfortable both on and off the ground. They are often called "Orange Demon Spiders" and "The Orange Bitey Things" because of their speed and aggressive natures. They like to build webbed retreats off the ground. They may also burrow. Because this tarantula is so aggressive it is often not recommended for beginners. In captivity this tarantula feeds on crickets, roaches and King Mealworms. When feeding it is often recommended to feed through a sliding door at the top of the enclosure to prevent bites and escapes.

About 14 to 15 centimeters in length, the Usambara Orange Baboon is an average sized spider. However, its size is the only thing that's average about it! They are a fiery, deep orange or red in color, with dark marks on the abdomen and cephalothorax. Paired with their extremely quick speeds, they often resemble a ball of fire.

The Usambara Orange Baboon Spider, or Pterinochilus sp., is native to the Usambara region of Africa. This is a dry area near Kenya.

Specific Care Information: Relative Care Ease: Relatively Difficult

The Usambara Orange Baboon spider should be kept in a large aquarium, at least 5.5 gallons in size. They should be provided with shelters and about 4.5" of a peat moss/vermiculite/potting soil mix. Because of their native habitat, they can take hot temperatures of 80 degrees or more, but they are happiest in low humidity. They can be fed crickets, waxworms and mealworms.

Breeding and Propagation: Relative Breeding Ease: Uncertain

There is currently no special breeding information in our databases for this animal. To submit breeding / propagation information that is specific to this animal please click here.

Do you have anything to add to the information above? If so, please Click Here.
If anything is missing or incorrect please tell us. We want your advice.
This system is designed so that visitors like you can add to and improve the information.

Select another animal of the same type (Tarantulas).

  Copyright © The Central Pets Educational Foundation and its licensors.   All rights reserved.
Monday, 6 October 2008