The Legendary OBT Tarantula: Unveiling the Mystery 🌟
What's in a Name? OBT Decoded
- Orange Bitey Thing
- Orange Baboon Tarantula
- Orange Badass Tarantula
Why Own an OBT? This tarantula is not just a pet; it's an experience. With its mesmerizing bright orange hues and a personality that's larger than life, the OBT is a true diva of the tarantula world. While they are not aggressive, they are highly defensive, making them one of the most spirited species in the hobby. Their defensive postures often emerge in their juvenile stages, but even as spiderlings, they can occasionally strike a pose.
Ease of Care: A Hardy Choice The OBT is incredibly resilient, making it one of the easiest tarantulas to care for.
Husbandry & Care 🌡️💧
- Temperature: Thrives in a warm environment, ranging from 70°F to 83°F.
- Humidity: Prefers low humidity with a semi-moist corner. Water dish is not necessary.
- Housing: These are prolific webbers, so expect a webbed wonderland in their enclosure.
- Babies can be comfortable in a small 1-4 oz salsa container. Juveniles in a 32oz or a 6 inch enclosure, and adults would thrive in a 12 inch enclosure.
Humidity Management: To maintain optimal humidity, mist one side of the enclosure every two weeks, allowing the moisture to naturally disperse. A water dish is optional, as they tend to web around it.
Additional Insights 📚
- Scientific Name: Pterinochilus murinus
- Common Name: OBT – Orange Bitey Tarantula
- Type: Burrowing, Hybrid
- Category: Old World Baboon
- Locale: Found across Angola, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.
- Size: Females can boast a legspan of up to 5 inches.
- Urtication Hairs: None. All defense comes from speed, fang, and attitude
- Stridulation: Known for their unique stridulation noises.
- Growth Rate: Highly temperature-dependent, with very rapid growth at 80°F.
- Life Expectancy: Females can live up to 12 years, while males typically reach 2-3 years.
- Recommended Experience Level: Best suited for defensive species that will give you a threat pose just by looking at them... they have ATTITUDE. The #1 divas in the tarantula hobby for sure.
📲 Stay Connected:
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Instagram – Where I post the most.
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YouTube – For care videos and feeding clips.
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Facebook – Customer reviews and updates.
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TikTok – Fun, fast tarantula videos.
⚠️ Safety Disclaimer
Experiencing a tarantula bite is an extremely rare occurrence, and it's important to note that there have been no recorded fatalities due to a tarantula bite. The venom potency varies across species, with Old World tarantulas generally having stronger venom than their New World counterparts. Within the Old World category, the Poecilotheria genus is known for having particularly potent venom.
It's crucial to approach tarantulas with respect and understanding. If you happen to get bitten, which is unlikely, the key is to stay calm. In most cases, the discomfort is superficial and subsides within a few minutes to a few hours. However, bites from species with more potent venom may result in symptoms lasting up to a week. Remember, larger tarantulas tend to have more venom than smaller ones.
Please be aware that I cannot assume responsibility for bites. Tarantula handling should be done at your own risk. In my 11 years of experience with these creatures, I have only been bitten once, by a species with highly potent venom. While the experience was painful, the symptoms had completely disappeared after a week.
Handle tarantulas responsibly, and always prioritize your safety and the well-being of the tarantula.