Are you looking for something more challenging and fun pet to add to your hobby collection? Then here’s the best pet for you! Feather leg baboon is an extreme animal that is only advisable for advanced handlers!
Feather Leg Baboon tarantula or also known as Stromatopelma calceatum is an old world tarantula. They are native to West Africa where there is consistently humid and warm condition. Unlike other tarantulas, they are precisely not for beginners. This is due to their temperament and toxicity level which require years of experience prior to handling.
This tarantula is very aggressive and defensive even if not provoked. They are readily available to defend themselves and they are also energetic. They constantly move around the enclosure by digging or climbing on the surfaces. They are even more aggressive once they have their cocoon.
They are known for being dangerous not only because of their behavior but also due to their toxicity level. They contain stromotoxin which is a venom known and common for this species. This peptide is known for blocking certain potassium channels. The venomous is dangerous and requires medical attention.
Appearance/Size
The appearance of this tarantula varies from their age. Adult males are normally gray in color and have dark gray markings on their bodies. They don’t have urticating hair which causes itchiness when bristled from their bodies. They depend only on biting to defend themselves from the attackers. They also have more notable marking on their legs.
Female adults, on the other hand, are darker in color. Their body has markings and patterns which are nearly black metallic in color, especially on their abdomen, legs and carapace.
Tarantula slings don’t have as intense coloration as adults. However, their features develop as they grow and become more noticeable after several molts.
With regard to size, a female reaches 2.5 inches while the male counterpart is slightly smaller. They grow fast since they are voracious eaters. In fact, they can reach a leg length of seven inches.
Habitat
This type of tarantula originated in West Africa. In the wild, they thrive in an environment where there is a constant dry, humid, and rainy season.
In setting up the enclosure, the characteristic of this animal has to be the primary consideration. This animal an arboreal and they tend to climb or place their webbing on branches. Usually, they create their nest on the base of the branches and climb within the vertical decorations.
The enclosure has to be taller to include vertical structures for climbing. Branches or twigs can be used as decoration and climbing materials. To beautify their tank, you can also add ornamental plants like vines or artificial plants.
The hide is also significant for their health. Place wooden or cork barks at the base of the decorative branches and cover them with the substrate to blind with the setup.
At least two inches of the substrate should be added to the enclosure of adult tarantulas. It can be made up of a mixture of peat moss, soil and vermiculite. For a tarantula sling, at least an inch of the substrate is enough for the enclosure.
Lastly, the temperature has to be maintained between 78-82 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity within the range of 60 to 70% is sufficient to keep them comfortable inside the tank.
What they eat
Feather leg baboon tarantula is commonly fed with insects such as crickets or fruit flies. They can also be given larger prey such as small rodents. The size of which must be smaller or the same as the size of their carapace. As they age, they eat less frequently.
For the frequency of feeding, juveniles must be fed more frequently or at least 4-7 times a week. Adult tarantulas, on the other hand, can be fed at least every other 7 to 10 days.
Take note that live feeders should be removed from the enclosure especially when your Tarantulas are pre-molt as they can harm your pets. They are usually fragile when molting or days after molt. In fact, there are instances during molt where insects feed on them since their skin is so soft during this time. They also tend to avoid food a few days after they change their skin.
How long do they live
According to some handlers, female species of Feather leg baboon can reach 12-15 years. Males, on the other hand, have a shorter lifespan that reaches only 3-5 years.
The key to making them healthier and live longer is by providing them with suitable environmental conditions that are relatively the same as their natural habitat. Diet and nutrition must also be observed.
Adding vitamins to the tarantula’s feeder is a great way to a balanced diet. Gut loading can also be made to make sure that their food is rich with nutrients and vitamins which is essential for their proper growth and shedding. Here, the insect can be fed with high-quality food for at least 24 hours or sprinkled with vitamins prior to feeding.
Type of enclosure
Feather leg baboons are also known as bird spiders due to their coloration and patterns. They are arboreal animals which primarily spend most of their time on trees. They can reach the size of 2.5 inches. Hence, bigger enclosures are not needed.
This type of tarantula can be housed in 20 x 20 by 40 enclosures. The length of the tank has to be considered since climbing materials have to be added.
You can also add vegetation on the other side of the enclosure to make the tank more appealing and attractive for your tarantulas. You can also add tree trunks or cork bark as their hide.
Breeding
Before you start breeding your tarantula, it is important to identify their sex. This can be clearly determined when they are mature. Sexual identity is only possible during maturity since they only develop their sex organ as they age.
To identify their sex, you have to preserve their molt. Your tarantula is a male if there is a hook at the bottom or the underside of their frontal legs. The purpose of these hooks is to bar the female fangs during mating. Female tarantulas are usually bigger than their male counterparts.
Breeding this tarantula can be made once the pair have reached maturity. Once they started breeding, the male should be removed from the enclosure since the female has the tendency to cannibalize the male.
The breeding period starts 4-6 weeks after the tarantula molted. Prior to breeding, make sure that the pair is not stressed and properly nourished in order to make the breeding success.
Females are triggered to breed when the humidity is increased. After the mating period, the female will start creating a cocoon and lay eggs thereafter. This cocoon is usually attached to the surface or walls of the enclosure.
The expected number of slings which may come out of the cocoon is usually 200-300. Also, remember that females are very protective of their cocoons and they tend to attack the handler during this period. Hence, extra caution must be observed. Also, remember that these species contain a toxin that is medically significant for humans.
Final Thoughts
A bite of feather leg baboon is strong and it is also quite painful. They are also defensive and aggressive. Therefore, the provocation must be avoided. If you are bitten by this animal, medical aid is well recommended.
Although this animal is dangerous and aggressive, the fact remains that they are stunning and excellent because of its appearance and characteristics. They are animals that have to be protected and preserved.
You should know how to care Feather Leg Baboon Tarantula