Hysterocrates gigas (Cameroon Red Baboon Tarantula) 0.5-0.75" WEEKLY DEAL ending AUG 9

Hysterocrates gigas (Cameroon Red Baboon Tarantula)

This is perhaps one of the strangest species in the hobby. Many hobbyists love this species for its unusual relationship with water, since it will often dive into a water feature to avoid a perceived threat and can remain submerged for extended periods of time. Even in captivity, keepers have noticed these tarantulas diving into water features in their terrariums, a genuinely unique behavior not seen in most other species. Grab this old world tarantula for sale if you want something truly different.

Why do hobbyists keep Hysterocrates gigas?

• Unique Behavior: Will dive into standing water to avoid a perceived threat and can remain submerged for extended periods, a trait almost unheard of among tarantulas.
• Moderate Webber: Builds noticeable webbing around its burrow entrance.
• Rare in the Hobby: A genuinely unusual West African species that stands apart from most Old World terrestrials.

How should Hysterocrates gigas be kept?

• Adult Size: Reaches about 5 inches at full leg span.
• Enclosure: Choose an enclosure at least twice the leg span in width, depth, and height, with deep substrate to support burrowing and a hide.
• Temperature: Keep between 75 to 82 degrees F, reflecting this species' warm, humid West African rainforest origin.
• Humidity: Keep the substrate consistently damp, this species comes from a region with some of the heaviest rainfall in Africa.
• Water: Keep a full water dish available at all times, this species genuinely interacts with standing water.
• Diet: Crickets, roaches, or mealworms sized to about a quarter of the leg span, matching the width of the carapace (head). Feed at least once a week.
• Temperament: Defensive, it carries a medically significant bite typical of old world species, so this is a display only animal. We do not encourage or recommend handling with any of our tarantulas, old world species especially.

Are there any additional notes or considerations?

• Not True Communal: Despite some claims in the hobby, this species is not considered a genuine communal species and should not be housed in groups.
• Water Diving Behavior: One of very few tarantula species known to voluntarily dive into and remain submerged in water, a genuinely unusual survival strategy.
• Captive Bred: All Tarantulas are 100% captive bred.