This is a burrowing spider and ranges in color from a dull black and gray to a rusty orange/brown. It is black when freshly moulted (post-moult) and turns brown just before a moult (pre-moult). Its eyes are small and weak and only able to judge light levels.
Its abdomen is oval in shape with a diameter up to 4 inches (10 cm). Although it has hairy legs, this tarantula is an Old World species and does not have urticating hairs on its abdomen. (Urticating hairs are hairs found in most new world species (those from North and South America) that can be shed in defence, they are barbed and may cause severe itching.)
It also has a leg span which may reach 8 inches (20 cm). This tarantula, in common with the rest of the family, has downward-facing, parallel fangs, used like pickaxes rather than pincers.
Adult males have smaller abdomens than females. Male pedipalps are club shaped, but it may take up to 4 years for differences between male and female to show, since the average male lifespan is about 4 years and the leg span of the male is roughly 5 inches (13 cm). These tarantulas spin very little silk - what silk they do spin is used for egg sacs or to line their burrows - they do not make webs. These tarantulas in particular burrow very intricate burrows.
Adult Size: 15 to 16cm
Type: Old World, Terrestrial / Opportunistic Burrower, Communal Setups Possible
Growth Rate: Fast
Temperament: Defensive to Aggressive. Can stridulate fangs (hiss)
Lifespan: Females (10 to 12 years) | Males (2 to 4 years)
Origin: Cameroon / Congo / Gabon / Guinea
Recommended Climate: 24-26°C (Summer), 20-22°C (Winter)
Recommended Humidity: 75-85%
Basic Enclosure Requirements: Terrestrial setup with at least 4 x the size of the spider in horizontal space, 15cm to 30cm of substrate for burrowing with a shelter and a water dish.
Hysterocrates gigas - Cameroon Red Baboon
Description
Scientific Name: Hysterocrates gigas
Common Names: Cameroon Red Baboon
Known to be a swimmer, Hysterocrates gigas is a large dark brown baboon tarantula which originates over quite a few territories in Africa. As usual with African Baboon species, they aren’t exactly what you could call friendly and are not to be trifled with. Just like Pelinobius muticus – The King Baboon, The Cameroon Red Baboon will also strike a pose, threat pose that is, as well as stridulate (hiss) using the special bristles between it’s fangs.
But a behavior of the Cameroon Red Baboon that is being tested by many hobbyists is it’s ability to swim, and even catch prey under water. Keep in mind that tarantulas can not see very well, so don’t expect them to chase after small fish with much success. However if you can provide them with a decent size fish or frog, there is a good chance it will eventually be snatched up for lunch. Hobbyists are trying all sorts of enclosure configurations to put this Baboon tarantula to the test, from basic terrariums to full living paludariums.
The Cameroon Red Baboon is also known to be a very good candidate for communal setups and many hobbyists report maintaining communal setups with great success.
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