King Baboon Tarantula

Pelinobius muticus Care Guide

King Baboon Tarantula

Revision Date: March 2025

Introduction

Pelinobius muticus, commonly known as the King Baboon Tarantula, is a massive, heavily built fossorial species that originates from the dry scrublands of East Africa. It is one of the largest and heaviest tarantulas in the world, reaching an impressive leg span of up to 9 inches (23 cm). Unlike many other Old World species, P. muticus is notorious for its extreme defensiveness, deep burrowing behavior, and powerful bite. This species is not recommended for beginners, as it is highly territorial, reclusive, and possesses potent venom.

One of its most distinctive traits is its hissing (stridulating) defense mechanism, where it rubs its chelicerae together to produce a loud, audible noise when threatened. This species requires a deep, well-draining substrate to support its elaborate burrows, as it rarely spends time above ground. Due to its slow growth rate, strong feeding response, and striking copper coloration, P. muticus is a highly sought-after species among experienced tarantula keepers.

Quick Species Snapshot

• Scientific Name: Pelinobius muticus

• Common Names: King Baboon Tarantula

• Type: Fossorial (Obligate Burrower)

• Category: Old World

• Native Range: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda

• Size: Up to 9” (23 cm) DLS

• Growth Rate: Slow

• Life Expectancy: Females ~20+ years; Males ~5–7 years

• Recommended Experience Level: Advanced

• Urticating Hairs: No

• Venom Potency: Strong (potentially medically significant)

Taxonomy, Etymology & Natural Environment

Pelinobius muticus is the only species in the genus Pelinobius, making it a truly unique tarantula. Its genus name, Pelinobius, is derived from Greek, meaning "thread-like life," possibly referring to its silk-lined burrow structures. The species name, muticus, translates to "muted" or "silent," which is ironic considering this tarantula’s well-documented ability to produce an audible stridulating sound when disturbed.

This species is native to the dry, arid regions of East Africa, where it constructs deep, silk-lined burrows to escape the extreme heat and dryness of its environment. It is often found in savannas, dry grasslands, and semi-arid scrublands, where temperatures can fluctuate significantly between day and night. Due to these environmental adaptations, P. muticus requires a deep substrate layer and dry conditions with periodic moisture to replicate its natural habitat effectively.

Behavior & Temperament

Pelinobius muticus is an incredibly defensive species that is not hesitant to stand its ground when disturbed. Unlike more reclusive fossorial species, it will readily raise its front legs, stridulate loudly, and strike with force when feeling threatened. Due to its strong venom and aggressive nature, this species should be approached with caution and is not recommended for handling.

While it is highly defensive, it is also extremely reclusive, spending the majority of its life inside its burrow. Keepers may rarely see their P. muticus outside of feeding time or during enclosure maintenance. Given the right conditions, this species can be an incredible display tarantula, creating intricate burrows with visible tunnel entrances.

Housing & Substrate – Fossorial Setup

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Spiderlings

• Enclosure Size: OG Sling Crib, 3” Tarantula Cube, 4” Tarantula Cube

• Substrate: Fill at least 2/3 of the enclosure with Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude.

• Humidity: Keep the substrate slightly damp but not swampy. Provide a tiny water dish if space allows or drip water onto webbing weekly.

Juveniles

• Enclosure Size: Crib 360-4” Fossorial, 5” Hex Crib, 6” Tarantula Cube, 8” Cube

• Substrate: Fill ½ to ¾ of the enclosure with Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude to support deep burrowing.

• Humidity: Let part of the substrate dry out while keeping one corner slightly damp by overflowing the water dish occasionally.

• Additional Features: Cork bark or dried leaves as web anchors.

Adults

• Enclosure Size: 8” Hex Crib, Crib 360-8” Fossorial, 12” Tarantula Cube, 18” Tarantula Cube

• Substrate: Fill at least ½–¾ of the enclosure with Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude.

• Additional Features: A deep burrow setup is essential. I like to add some branches or plants so they can web up around their burrow entrance as well.

Tarantula Cribs offers the best enclosures—use code TTC10 for 10% off.

Temperature & Humidity

• Temperature: 70–78°F (21–26°C)

• Humidity: 50–60%

• Ventilation: Ensure good airflow to prevent stale conditions.

• Water Dish: Keep one filled and overflow occasionally to maintain a moisture gradient.

Feeding Schedule

Spiderlings

• Frequency:
  Feed twice a week.

• Prey:
  Offer small prey such as flightless fruit flies, confused flour beetles, or pre-killed tiny crickets/roach nymphs. Remove any uneaten prey after 24 hours. increase the size of the prey as the spider grows. Prekill any prey that is over 2/3 the size of the sling. For more detailed information on feeding spiderlings, watch this video: How To Feed Spiderlings & Scorplings (Baby Tarantulas & Scorpions)

• Post-Molt:
  Wait 24–48 hours after a molt before feeding. Ensure that the tarantula’s fangs are solid black and its exoskeleton is not soft or shiny.

Juveniles

• Frequency:
  Feed every 7–10 days.

• Prey:
  Provide 2–3 small to medium crickets or a medium Dubia roach.

• Feeding Guidelines:

  • If the abdomen is thinner than the widest part of the carapace, feed more prey more often.

  • If the abdomen is wider than the carapace, feed less prey, less often.
    This strategy helps prevent obesity, which can lead to molting complications or increase the risk of an abdomen rupture from even a small fall.

• Post-Molt:
  Wait 3–7 days after a molt before feeding, ensuring that the tarantula’s fangs are solid black and its exoskeleton is fully hardened.

Adults

• Frequency:
  Feed every 2–3 weeks (or as needed).

• Prey:
  Offer 4–5 large crickets or one large Dubia roach.

• Feeding Guidelines:

  • If the abdomen is thinner than the carapace’s widest part, increase feeding frequency.

  • If the abdomen is wider than the carapace, reduce feeding frequency.
    This is crucial to avoid obesity, which can interfere with proper molting or cause dangerous issues such as an abdomen rupture.

• Post-Molt:
  Wait 5–10 days after a molt before feeding, ensuring that the tarantula’s fangs are solid black and its exoskeleton is fully hardened.

Breeding Pelinobius muticus in Captivity

(general outline, specifics under revision)

Sexual Maturity & Pairing

• Males: Reach maturity in 5–7 years, developing longer legs and bulbous pedipalps.

• Females: Reach reproductive maturity in 8–12 years, growing significantly larger than males.

• Pre-Pairing Preparation: Females should be well-fed before pairing to reduce aggression. Slightly increasing humidity before pairing may mimic natural breeding conditions.

Mating Process

• Introduce the male into the female’s enclosure at night, when they are most active.

• The male will perform palp drumming and leg tapping as part of courtship.

• If receptive, the female will allow copulation, after which the male should be removed immediately, as P. muticus females are known to cannibalize males quickly.

Egg Sac Production

• If fertilized, the female may produce an egg sac within 6–8 months after mating.

• Egg sacs contain 80–200 eggs, though survival rates may vary.

• Maintain temperatures between 75–80°F (24–27°C) and humidity levels of 60–70% for proper egg sac development.

• Females aggressively guard their egg sac, and disturbing them may lead to egg sac destruction.

Egg Sac Handling (Optional)

• Some breeders choose to pull the egg sac after 30–40 days for artificial incubation.

• If left with the mother, 1st instar spiderlings will emerge 10–12 weeks after egg sac production, molting into 2nd instar within 3–5 weeks.

Raising Spiderlings

• P. muticus spiderlings grow extremely slowly, requiring years to reach juvenile size.

• Provide deep substrate for burrowing, as spiderlings exhibit fossorial behavior from an early stage.

• Feed pinhead crickets, flightless fruit flies, or small roaches every 4–5 days.

Challenges & Considerations

• Extreme female aggression: P. muticus females are highly territorial and often attack or kill males.

• Long maturation period: With females taking over a decade to mature, breeding this species is a long-term commitment.

• Egg sac viability: Maintaining stable humidity and temperature is essential to a successful hatch rate.

• Captive breeding importance: Due to habitat destruction and wild collection concerns, responsible breeding is crucial to sustaining P. muticus populations in the hobby.

Final Thoughts

Pelinobius muticus is a massive, reclusive, and highly defensive tarantula that demands respect and careful husbandry. Its slow growth, deep burrowing nature, and extreme defensiveness make it a species best suited for advanced keepers who can accommodate its long-term care needs. While its striking copper coloration and incredible burrowing behavior make it a fascinating species, it is rarely seen outside its burrow, making it more of an observational pet than an interactive one.

Due to its slow maturation rate and limited natural range, captive breeding is crucial for ensuring sustainable populations in the hobby. If you're looking for a large, iconic Old World tarantula with unique behaviors and an intimidating presence, P. muticus is a rewarding challenge for the dedicated keeper.

Additional Recommendations

For enclosures, consider Tarantula Cribs (TTC10 for 10% off), and use Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude for substrate. For legal captive-bred tarantulas, check out Spider Shoppe (TTC10 for 10% off).