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Hysterocrates crassipes
Hysterocrates crassipes, known as the Cameroon Baboon, is a muscular, burrowing African species with a commanding presence. Famous for its thick front legs and jet coloration, this Old World tarantula thrives underground and makes a fascinating display for those who appreciate true earth engineers.
| 🔔 Special Notices | |
|---|---|
| Watch my setup and care demos of African baboons on UrbanTarantulas to see how I manage humidity, burrowing depth, and feeding for Hysterocrates species. | |
| 🛠️ Care Details | |
| 🌡️ Temperature | 76–84°F (24–29°C) |
| 💧 Humidity | 75–85% |
| 🏠 Housing | |
| Babies | 1–4 oz deli cup with moist substrate for digging. FREE container at checkout IF requested. |
| Juveniles | ~5–7" enclosure with 3–4" deep substrate and starter burrow. |
| Adults | 10–14" enclosure with 6–8" substrate depth. Keep humidity steady and provide ample burrowing space. |
| 🍽️ General Diet | |
| Crickets and roaches (Dubia, Red Runner, Lobster). Babies: baby roaches or crickets. If prey is too large, pre-kill and offer overnight. Remove leftovers/bolus. Adults occasionally accept small lizards or pinky mice—only as rare treats. | |
| 📚 In-depth Facts | |
| 🕷️ Scientific name | Hysterocrates crassipes |
| 📛 Common name(s) | Cameroon Baboon, Thick-Leg Baboon |
| 🌡️ Temperature | 76–84°F |
| 💧 Humidity | 75–85% |
| 📍 Locale | Cameroon, Central Africa |
| 🏷️ Category | Fossorial (deep burrower); Old World; defensive temperament |
| 📏 Size | Up to 7" (females); males smaller and leggier |
| 🪶 Urticating hairs | None – Old World species; relies on threat posture and speed |
| ⏳ Growth rate | Moderate to fast under warm, moist conditions |
| 🧭 Life span | Females 10–12 yrs; males 3–4 yrs |
| 🍽️ Feeding | Strong feeder; ambush predator from burrow entrance |
| 🎯 Recommended levels | Lovers of old worlds and unique and interesting species. They are defensive. |
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| ⚠️ Safety Disclaimer | |
| 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 13 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. | |