Cameroon red baboon tarantula (Hysterocrates gigas)

Short answers

Cameroon red baboon tarantula: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 40×30×35 cm.

Cameroon red baboon tarantula: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, at night 21–23 °C.

Cameroon red baboon tarantula: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not required.

Cameroon red baboon tarantula: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: females 12–15 years, males 3–4 years.

Cameroon red baboon tarantula: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Experts).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

21–23 °C

Humidity

75–85 %

UVB

Not required

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 40×30×35 cm

Substrate

Very deep, damp humus for digging (at least 20 cm)

Feeding

Food

Insects, occasionally fish as well

Feeding interval

Adults 1×/week

Key facts

Adult size

body 7–8 cm, leg span 17–20 cm

Life expectancy

females 12–15 years, males 3–4 years

Origin

Cameroon, West Africa

Protection status

—

Brumation

No

Cohabitation

Keep them singly — tarantulas are cannibals. The reason is not fighting but feeding: these animals take anything that fits in the mouth, and a second animal in the enclosure counts.

Notes

An Old World species with medically significant venom, defensive and fast. It digs deep burrows and is therefore often out of sight for weeks — anyone wanting a visible spider is in the wrong place here.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Cameroon red baboon tarantula (Hysterocrates gigas) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Hercules baboon tarantula (Hysterocrates hercules) – Expert
• Amazon birdeater (Iridopelma hirsutum) – Intermediate
• Arizona blonde tarantula (Aphonopelma chalcodes) – Beginner
• Pinktoe tarantula (Avicularia avicularia) – Beginner
• Cobalt blue tarantula (Cyriopagopus lividus) – Expert
• Gooty sapphire ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria metallica) – Expert
• Peruvian blue tarantula (Thrixopelma cyaneolum) – Beginner
• Singapore blue tarantula (Omothymus violaceopes) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Cameroon red baboon tarantula (Hysterocrates gigas) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 40×30×35 cm), substrate (Very deep, damp humus for digging (at least 20 cm)), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.