Care Sheet Pterinochilus murinus

Picture by nevertebrate.ro
Common Name: Usambara Orange Baboon Tarantula, Mombasa Golden Starburst Tarantula,
Mombasa Golden Sunburst Baboon and the True Starburst
Range: Usambara region of Africa
Habitat: Dry area near Kenya.
Class: Semi Arboreal
Size: 10-13cm
Life Expectancy: Matures in under two years. Males 3 years females 10 years +
Temperament: Aggressive and Defensive
Venom: Strong
Urticating Hairs: No
Housing: Floor space is more important than height; a deep substrate is not really required as this
species will web its own retreat. Minimum size 12 x 12
Dcor: Upturned plant pot, half Cocoa nut or similar.
Substrate: Peat, Coir, vermiculite
Temperature: 23 to 28C
Humidity About 60-70%

Heating: heat lamps, heat mats and thermostats

Feeding: Insects such as crickets, locust, butter worms, meal worms, superworms, houseflies and
cockroaches.
Water: Large shallow water dish
Comments
The Usambara Orange Baboon is semi-arboreal, meaning it is comfortable both on and off the
ground.
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 centimetres 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 colour, with dark marks on the abdomen
and cephalothorax. Paired with their extremely quick speeds, they often resemble a ball of fire.
Because of their native habitat, they can take hot temperatures of 80 degrees or more, but they are
happiest in low humidity.

John Gamesby