Pterinochilus murinus from the Kigoma locale is a legendary African baboon tarantula known for its striking orange coloration, incredible web-building, and fast, defensive nature. This highly active species creates impressive silk structures and is a favorite among keepers who appreciate bold Old World tarantulas.
| ⭐ Special Notices |
| 🕷️ Notes |
Pterinochilus murinus is a fast Old World species that should be respected and appreciated for its natural behaviors rather than handled. Provide a secure enclosure with excellent ventilation and allow this incredible web-builder to create its retreat. Check out my YouTube channel for care, setup, feeding, and show-and-tell videos to see how we keep and feed our tarantulas: Urban Tarantulas YouTube. |
| 🛠️ Care Details |
| 🌡️ Temperature |
75–85°F (24–29°C). Warmer temperatures usually mean faster growth because they molt more often. |
| 💧 Humidity |
Around 50–60%. Keep the enclosure dry with access to water and avoid swampy conditions. |
| 🏠 Housing |
| Babies |
Use a 1–4 oz deli cup with needle ventilation. FREE container at checkout IF requested; not included otherwise. |
| Juveniles |
Provide a secure terrestrial enclosure with anchor points for heavy webbing and enough substrate for a retreat. |
| Adults |
Use an enclosure about 2–3x the tarantula's body size with plenty of ventilation and room for extensive webbing. Flexible by individual. |
| 🍽️ General Diet |
| Feeding |
Crickets + roaches (Dubia, Red Runner, Lobster). Babies eat baby crickets/roaches. If prey is too big, pre-kill by crushing the head, leave it, then remove leftovers/bolus. We never use pinhead crickets because they do not provide enough protein. Occasional treat for super large specimens: pinky/hopper mouse or feeder lizard very sparingly; excess calcium can cause constipation/pooping issues. |
| 📚 In-depth Facts |
| 🕷️ Latin name / Scientific name |
Pterinochilus murinus |
| 📛 Common name(s) |
Orange Baboon Tarantula (OBT), Usambara Orange Baboon, Kigoma Locale OBT |
| 🌡️ Temperature |
75–85°F (24–29°C) |
| 💧 Humidity |
Around 50–60% |
| 📍 Locale |
Kigoma, Tanzania |
| 🏷️ Category |
Old World terrestrial, heavy webber, opportunistic burrower |
| 📏 Size |
Female DLS: around 5–6 inches. Male DLS: around 4–5 inches. Maximum size varies by individual. |
| 🪶 Urticating hairs |
No urticating hairs. This species relies on speed, posture, and venom as defense. |
| ⏳ Growth rate |
Fast growth rate. |
| 🧭 Life span |
Females can live around 10–15 years. Males typically live much shorter after maturity. |
| 🍽️ Feeding |
A strong eater that readily accepts appropriately sized prey. |
| 🎯 Recommended levels |
Ideal for lovers of defensive baboon species who enjoy fast, active Old World tarantulas and impressive web-building behavior. |
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| ⚠️ Safety Disclaimer |
Safety Disclaimer: Tarantula bites are extremely rare, and there are no recorded human fatalities. Venom strength varies by species; Old World tarantulas are usually more potent than New World tarantulas, with Poecilotheria known for especially strong venom. Larger tarantulas may also deliver more venom.
If bitten, stay calm. Most symptoms fade within minutes to hours, though potent species may cause discomfort for up to a week. In 13 years, I’ve only been bitten once, and symptoms were gone after one week.
Handling is at your own risk. I’m not responsible for bites or injuries. Always prioritize your safety and the tarantula’s well-being. |
