Mike's Basic Tarantula

A Basic Site for the Tarantula enthusiast

Eucratoscelus paphypus

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Common name: Stout Leg Baboon

Indigenous: Tanzania

Habitat: Tanzania has a tropical climate with regional variations due to topography. In the highlands, temperatures range between 10 and 20 °C (50 and 68 °F) during cold and hot seasons respectively. The rest of the country has temperatures rarely falling lower than 20 °C (68 °F). The hottest period extends between November and February (25–31 °C or 77–87.8 °F) while the coldest period occurs between May and August (15–20 °C or 59–68 °F).

Seasonal rainfall moves southwards through Tanzania in October to December, reaching the south of the country in January and February, and returning northwards in March, April, and May. This causes the north and east of Tanzania to experience two distinct wet periods in October to December and the long rains from March to May – while the southern, western, and central parts of the country experience one wet season that continues October through to April.

Temp/humidity: This species does well in cool temperatures. I keep mine at 76° to 84°F (24.4°C to 28.9°C) and 70% humidity

Enclosure: This is an obligate burrower, therefore an adult needs six inches (15.24cm) of substrate to burrow, but if the substrate is not deep, it will web extensively.

Substrate: I use three inches (7.62cm) of substrate in vial, deli cup for spiderlings, and six inches (15.24cm) in a terrarium for sub-adult to adult. (I use a mixture of peat moss, vermiculite, coconut fiber and dirt for firmness, as the substrate).

Retreat/Hide: This species doesn't need a hide, it will make its own burrow. When I change the substrate, I start a two inch (5.07cm) hole for burrowing in the corner of the enclosure.

Food Consumption: I first fed fruit flies, than when she reached one-half inch (1.27cm) I introduced baby crickets. Now I give my Stout Leg Baboon (1) - inch B. dubia roaches or two (3) adult crickets weekly.  This species is a good eater.

Water Requirements: I keep a water dish in the tank. I have never seen mine drink. I keep the substrate in the terrarium dry. Every four months I wet one side of the substrate, then allow it to dry out.

Growth Rate: The growth rate of this species is medium. I purchased this tarantula as a spiderling of one-half inch (1.27cm) in size. After the first year she had grown to two inch (5.08cm). With constant feeding and with temperatures in the low 80's, it can reach a size of four inches (10.16cm) within three years.

Adult Size: This is a small baboon. It only grows to four inches (10.16cm) leg length. My girl is a solid four inches (10.16cm).

Temperament: This is one of the few African baboon spiders that I can say does not have a defensive nature. It has never given me a threat pose either.

Comments: This is a pet hole. You will very seldom see this species. I don't allow my obligate burrowers to gorge themselves; by doing so they stay at the mouth of their burrow waiting for prey. This allows me to see the natural behavior of stalking and I get a glimpse of my tarantula.

She is also a prolific webber, if not allowed to burrow.  This is a beginner OW tarantula, because of its forgiving nature. Neither is it a fast moving species. It is very hardy and easy to care for. You shouldn't have any problems keeping this species. Read: Handling Old World Tarantulas