Hercules baboon tarantula (Hysterocrates hercules)

Short answers

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

From 40×30×35 cm (floor area over height, very deep substrate).

Hercules baboon tarantula: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Hercules baboon tarantula: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed (nocturnal).

Hercules baboon tarantula: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: females 15–20 years, males 3–4 years.

Hercules baboon tarantula: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

75–85 %

UVB

No UVB needed (nocturnal)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 40×30×35 cm (floor area over height, very deep substrate)

Substrate

Deep, damp humus for digging, at least 20 cm; a large water dish

Feeding

Food

Insects (house crickets, roaches, crickets, locusts)

Feeding interval

adults approx. 1×/week or every 10–14 days, juveniles 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

16–18 cm leg span (body ~7–8 cm)

Life expectancy

females 15–20 years, males 3–4 years

Origin

Ghana and Nigeria

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; no special registration duties

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Single housing. Solitary and cannibalistic; no pair/group housing. The reason is not conflict but predation: these animals take anything that fits in their mouths, and a second animal in the enclosure is included.

Notes

Rarely genuine in the trade — much of what goes under this name is H. gigas. It lives in deep burrows and is correspondingly rarely seen. Defensive and strong, and no handling. It needs plenty of substrate and even humidity.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Cameroon red baboon tarantula (Hysterocrates gigas) – Experts
• 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 Hercules baboon tarantula (Hysterocrates hercules) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 40×30×35 cm (floor area over height, very deep substrate)), substrate (Deep, damp humus for digging, at least 20 cm; a large water dish), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.