Tarantulas of the World

The Rear Horned Baboon tarantula (Ceratogyrus darlingi) or sometimes referred to as the Burst Horned Baboon is an Old World (OW) arachnid from the southern parts of Africa. Indigenous to Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique and Zimbabwe they grow to be about 4.5 to 5 inches in size with females being a lot bigger then their male counterparts. This is a very fast growing species. Females are known to live 10 to 15 years while males can mature within 2 years and typically live between 2 and 4 years. This is one of the most common Ceratogyrus species in the hobby highly admired due to its carapace/peltidium featuring a black slightly reared foveal horn. The Rear Horned Baboon tarantula’s coloring are ash gray, mud-brown to black.

(Photo credit: @arachnophobaea)

Habitat: The rear horned baboon (Ceratogyrus darlingi) is an obligate burrower and terrestrial tarantula. As slings they should be kept in damp substrate in small vials and as they grow in deli cups. This is a very fast growing tarantula and you can expect a few molts a year until they reach maturity. Fully grown they only need about a 5 gallon tank with a somewhat dry substrate. Be sure to add plenty of substrate as this tarantula will start burrowing and tunneling within days of being housed. You can add a starter hide which may or may not get used. A water dish should be available and it is recommended to overfill this at least once a week. Temperature should be kept around 78° to 80° F with a humidity of 60% to 70%. This tarantula is notorious for webbing up its home and you will notice that right away.

Feeding: This tarantula eats EVERYTHING you throw its way. A steady diet of crickets, roaches, locusts, and other insects should be fine. They are ferocious and will pounce on anything even when they’re small little slings. As always feed your tarantula about once a week and be sure to remove any prey if not touched after 24 hours. If your tarantula is in pre-molt stages do not feed and wait at least a week and a half to re-feed after it molts.

Attitude: Being that Ceratogyrus darlingi is an Old World tarantula they are known for being aggressive. They do not come equipped with urticating hairs and rely on their bite and venom for protection. Though this is a very common species in the hobby we do not recommend this being a beginner tarantula at all. Their venom is equivalent to a bee sting but can still pack a punch. Common symptoms of a bite include; nausea, muscle aches, headache. If an allergic reaction occurs seek medical attention.

Do you have a Ceratogyrus darlingi ? Comment below!

Lasiodora parahybana breeding report

Species: Lasiodora parahybana

Common name: Salmon pink birdeater tarantula

Successful: Yes

Timeline:

Unsure of the female’s last molt date but she looked fresh enough and was fed heavily for the week leading up to the pairing.

Pairing took place on February 6^th with multiple insertions witnessed.

After pairing attempt she was heavily fed and a sac dropped a little over a month after on April 28^th

The sac was pulled away from the female a little over a month after on May 25^th

Post-mating care:

The female was fed heavily after pairing and the humidity in her enclosure was raised by flooding one side of her enclosure while keeping the other side dry.

Total Count: roughly about 1,500 1^st instars.

Salmon pink birdeater 1st instar slings

Lasiodora parahybana caresheet located here

Avicularia Revision

As 2017 is rolling out we have come to find out there are new changes to Avicularia. This genus by Lamarck, 1818 has been revised and all species rediagnosed. This entire report has been published as well as well documented and can be found here. It is an interesting article and very informative for any tarantula keeper and we highly recommend you taking the time to read it.

(photo by Tom Patterson)

However, for those who just want to know what changed…..Here ya go:

A.versicolor is now Caribena versicolor

A.laeta is now Caribena laeta

A.rickwesti is now Antillena rickwesti

A.sooretama is now Ybyrapora sooretama

A.gamba is now Ybyrapora gamba

A.diversipes is now Ybyrapora diversipes

A.avicularia variegata is now A.variegata

A.bicegoi is now A.variegata

A.velutina is now A.avicularia

A.exilis is now A.avicularia

A.ancylochyra is now A.avicularia

A.cuminami is now A.avicularia

A.nigrotaeniata is now A.avicularia

A.urticans is now A.juruensis

A.affinis is now Euathlus affinis

A.subvulpina is now Grammostola subvulpina

A.aymara is now Thrixopelma aymara

A.leporina is now Iridopelma leporina

A.plantaris is now Iridopelma plantaris

This genus was a taxonomic dumping ground for wrongly placed species. Taxonomy long ago was nowhere near as specific and precise as it is now. That’s why so many things were incorrectly placed into certain genera. It is also why so many species are now to be synonymous with others. When a genus gets moved or changed, it just means that it never belonged in the genus it was in to begin with. When this happens it needs to be moved to the correct genus and this is just one of many new revisions to come as technology and better research happen in the 21st century. It might be hard to understand but this will end up being for the betterment and for the future of this genera.

What about you? What are your thoughts? Share with us and remember to rename your tarantulas!