Ornamental Baboon Fact Sheet

Common Name: Ornamental Baboon Tarantula / Togo Starburst Tarantula

Scientific Name: maculata

Wild Status: Unknown

Habitat: Humid Forests

Country: Various countries across Africa

Shelter: Small bushes

Life Span: 8-14 years, males live less

Size: About 8-10 inches in length, leg span can be up to 5 inches

Details

The Ornamental Baboon Tarantula, also known as the Togo Starburst, is an Old World Tarantula found across various countries in Africa. These do not have any urticating hairs, so their main and only defense mechanism is their bite and potent venom. The venom from these tarantulas will most likely not kill an adult human, however it is very strong and would be very painful. They are very fast and aggressive, and while beautiful to look at their ghostly light color and unique designs, they should not be handled by beginners. Like many tarantulas, the males will live significantly shorter lives than the females, and males will die a few months after mating. They are an arboreal species of Tarantula, so they enjoy living in the trees, however they will sometimes burrow when they are young.

Cool Facts

• Old World Tarantula. • Very potent venom. • Predators include bats, birds, and lizards. • Prey include insects and small lizards. • They pump digestive fluids into their prey, and suck up the liquid. • No urticating hairs, so they are prompted to bite as their only defense. • Can reach their full size after about 3 years. • Enjoys tropical and warm/humid areas.

Taxonomic Breakdown

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Subphylum: Class: Arachnida Order: Araneae Infraorder: Family: Theraphosidae : Heteroscodra Species: H. maculata Conservation & Helping

The Ornamental Baboon Tarantula has not been listed on the endangered species list, and is assumed to have a strong population and of least concern.

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