This is a specific care sheet for King Baboons (Pelinobius muticus), for more in this genus see Category:Pelinobius.
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Pelinobius muticus is a member of Eumenophorinae in the family Theraphosidae known commonly as the King Baboon Tarantula. It is native to East Africa in dry Acadia scrubland regions of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda and can be found in deep burrows at the base of Acadia bushes. This slow growing species takes 8 years to reach maturity and is a rusty red to light brown colour. Although dull in appearance it is a much prized tarantula in the hobby as it is such an impressive tarantula.
| Tarantula Information (for a more detailed Tarantula care review see Tarantula Care Sheets | |
| Regions Found: | East Africa. Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in dry acadia scrublands. |
| Class: | Terrestrial. Likes to burrow. |
| Longevity: | Slow growing taking 8 years to reach maturity |
| Adult Size: | 15 to 23cm |
| Temperament: | Aggressive and defensive. Will make a hissing sound. |
| Urticating Hairs: | No |
| Venom Potency: | Venom is more toxic than most other tarantulas |
| Pelinobius muticus Housing Requirements | |
| Tarantula Housing: | Floor space is more important than height, a deep substrate should be provided for burrowing. A good retreat is required. |
| Temperature: | Between 24 to 30°C |
| Humidity: | Around 75% |
| Special Requirements: | No special requirements. |
| Breeding Pelinobius muticus Tarantulas | |
| Breeding Difficulty: | Unknown |
| Egg sac size: | Unknown |
| Danger to Male: | Probable sexual cannibalism |
| Pelinobius muticus Diet | |
| Livefood insects such as crickets, locust, butter worms, meal worms, superworms, housefliesand cockroaches. | |
| Recommended Pet Supplies for Pelinobius muticus | |
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King Baboon Tarantulas defensive stance
King Baboon Tarantulas fangs
King Baboon Tarantulas don’t make the best display tarantulas as they are known to stay in their burrows for months at a time. This very defensive specie, massive in physique will stand up on their hind legs in a defensive position making a hissing noise at the first sign of danger. Their venom is said to be more toxic than most other tarantulas, and so they are recommended for experienced keepers only not as a beginner tarantula.
Housing, Heating and Climate
Adult Pelinobius muticus can be kept in converted aquarium and provided with plenty of ventilation and a very deep substrate (at least 25cm deep). Spiderlings can be kept in small containers such as pill tubs and waxworm tubs slightly larger species can be kept in livefood tubs. You can provide some decoration to make the terrarium look prettier.
Ensure that you adhere to the specific needs of Pelinobius muticus. Bear in mind that the warmer you keep your tarantula, the higher its metabolic rate will be. Therefore it will want to eat more often and will grow faster. At night temperatures can so ensure a temperature drop of at least 10°F, to give the tarantula a sense of time. Humidity can be provided by moist substrates and a misting bottle. The best way to keep the tank humid is to provide a large shallow water bowl and keep the substrate moist.
Feeding
Just like other tarantulas, the King Baboon Tarantula will eat insects, reptiles and small rodents up to their own size. Suitable insects include crickets, moths, beetle larvae (meal worms and superworms), houseflies and cockroaches. Although they may take on rodents and reptiles in the wild it is not recommended you feed them in captivity, for complications may arise such as a fatal bite by the food item itself.
When feeding livefoods, although it may be fun, try not to over challenge your King Baboon by giving it food items that are too large. Stick with something about half the size of the tarantula and remove uneaten food items so they do not cause harm or stress.
Spiders usually eat massive amounts post-moult until they are full, this is called power feeding. They will refuse food pre-molt or when ready to lay an eggsack. It usually takes about 1 week to 1 month for a King Baboon to accept food after a moult, because of the skin and fang hardening process. You can’t really over feed a tarantula, but this doesn’t mean you should overdo it by giving it 50 crickets after a moult; the tarantula will probably end up killing them all and leaving dead ones uneaten. If this is the case then they should be removed to prevent bacteria and mould growth. The other factor is that a plump abdomen is more prone to rupture if this species falls from a height.
Pelinobius muticus are sometimes troublesome to feed as they will spend a long time down in burrows and it’s just not possible to know if a missing food item has been eaten or is rotting in the burrow. To encourage feeding try to drop the food items near to the tarantula and so that it lands on the web at the entrance to the burrow. Hopefully you will see the King Baboon jump out and grab it.