Feather-Leg Baboon Tarantula

Stromatopelma calceatum Care Guide

Feather-Leg Baboon Tarantula

Revision Date: March 2025

Introduction

Stromatopelma calceatum, commonly known as the Feather-Leg Baboon Tarantula, is an Old World arboreal species found in West Africa. It is infamous for its extreme speed, aggressive temperament, and highly potent venom. With a striking cryptic pattern that provides natural camouflage and dense leg feathering, this species is one of the most advanced tarantulas to keep and is strictly recommended for experienced keepers only.

Unlike many arboreal species, S. calceatum is highly defensive and will not hesitate to bite when disturbed. Bites from this species are known to cause severe pain, muscle cramping, sweating, nausea, and intense localized swelling. This is not a tarantula to handle under any circumstances.

Quick Species Snapshot

• Scientific Name: Stromatopelma calceatum

• Common Names: Feather-Leg Baboon Tarantula

• Type: Arboreal

• Category: Old World

• Endemic Location: West Africa (Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon)

• Diagonal Leg Span (DLS): 5–6” (13–15 cm)

• Urticating Hairs: No

• Growth Rate: Fast

• Life Expectancy:

  • Females: Up to 15 years

  • Males: Around 3–4 years

• Recommended Experience Level: Advanced

What Makes Stromatopelma calceatum Special?

Stromatopelma calceatum is known for its aggressive nature, unmatched speed, and potent venom. Even compared to other Old World arboreals like Poecilotheria and Heteroscodra maculata, this species is uniquely defensive—it will stand its ground and strike repeatedly if disturbed.

This species has intricate cryptic patterning, allowing it to blend into tree bark, much like H. maculata, but with even denser feathery setae on its legs, giving it its "Feather-Leg Baboon" name. It constructs elaborate web tunnels and will retreat when possible, but if cornered, it will attack with extreme speed.

Handling is never recommended, and maintenance should be done with the utmost caution.

Natural Habitat & What That Means for Enclosure Setup

In the wild, S. calceatum inhabits tree hollows, under bark, and within dense foliage, constructing thick web tunnels. This means that tall arboreal enclosures with multiple vertical hides are necessary. Unlike some arboreal species, it rarely leaves its webbed hide, instead waiting for prey to wander too close.

Housing & Substrate – Arboreal Setup

Spiderlings

• Enclosure Size: Tarantula Cribs Treehouse Mini, Coffin Crib Mini, Treehouse Extra Small, Sling Crib

• Substrate: Fill the bottom 1/3 of the enclosure with Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude.

• Decor: Provide a vertical piece of cork bark (half-round preferred) secured with substrate, along with fake or live plants for additional cover.

• Water: A shallow water dish should be provided.

Juveniles

• Enclosure Size: Tarantula Cribs Treehouse Switch Small, Small Treehouse, Coffin Crib Medium, Crib 360 - 8 inch Arboreal

• Substrate: Same as spiderlings—1/3 filled with Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude.

• Decor: Vertical cork bark, fake/live plants, and a secure hiding spot.

• Water: A small water dish should always be available.

Adults

• Enclosure Size: Tarantula Cribs Treehouse Switch-XL2.0, Large Treehouse - Clear Back, Treehouse Switch - Large, Large Coffin Crib

• Substrate: 1/3 of the enclosure filled with Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude.

• Decor: Provide multiple vertical cork hides, branches, and artificial foliage to encourage webbing.

• Water: A larger water dish at the bottom and an additional smaller dish higher in the enclosure can help ensure hydration.

Note: Use this affiliate link or enter the TTC10 code at checkout to save 10% on Tarantula Cribs enclosures.

Temperature & Humidity

• Temperature: Maintain between 70–78°F (21–25°C).

• Humidity: Maintain around 60–75%.

• Ventilation: Excellent ventilation is required to prevent mold growth.

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.

Behavior & Temperament

• Stromatopelma calceatum is one of the fastest and most defensive tarantulas in the hobby.

• It will strike repeatedly if provoked.

• Bites can cause severe pain, muscle cramping, fever-like symptoms, nausea, and intense swelling.

• Handling is strongly discouraged.

• When disturbed, it will either bolt at high speeds or attack instantly.

Breeding Stromatopelma calceatum in Captivity

Stromatopelma calceatum, commonly known as the Featherleg Baboon Tarantula, is an arboreal species native to West Africa. Renowned for its speed and potent venom, this species is recommended for experienced keepers due to its defensive nature. Breeding S. calceatum in captivity requires meticulous attention to environmental conditions and a thorough understanding of their behavior.

Sexual Maturity & Pairing

• Male Maturity: Males typically reach maturity within 2–3 years, characterized by longer legs and the development of bulbous pedipalps for sperm transfer.

• Female Maturity: Females generally mature around 3–4 years, achieving a robust size indicative of reproductive readiness.

• Pre-Pairing Preparation: We should ensure the female is well-fed before introducing the male to minimize the risk of cannibalism. Providing an enclosure with ample vertical spaces and anchor points for webbing can facilitate a more natural interaction during pairing.

Mating Process

• Introduce the male into the female’s enclosure during the evening or nighttime when tarantulas are more active.

• The male will typically perform courtship behaviors, such as tapping or drumming, to signal his presence.

• If receptive, the female may respond similarly or remain still, allowing the male to approach and attempt copulation.

• After successful mating, promptly remove the male to prevent potential aggression from the female.

Egg Sac Production

• If fertilized, the female may produce an egg sac approximately 2–3 months after mating.

• Maintain temperatures around 75–85°F (24–29°C) with humidity levels between 70–80%, ensuring adequate ventilation to prevent mold growth.

• An egg sac can contain a substantial number of eggs, with reports indicating clutches ranging from 100 to 150 eggs.

Egg Sac Handling (Optional)

• Some breeders choose to remove the egg sac from the female after 4 weeks for artificial incubation.

• If left with the mother, spiderlings (slings) will typically emerge within 6–8 weeks and undergo their first molt to the second instar stage within 3–4 weeks thereafter.

Raising Spiderlings

• S. calceatum spiderlings exhibit a fast growth rate and require stable humidity with proper ventilation.

• Provide enclosures with sufficient vertical space to accommodate their arboreal nature, including structures for climbing and web attachment.

• Feed them appropriately sized prey, such as pinhead crickets or flightless fruit flies, every 3–4 days to support healthy development.

Challenges & Considerations

• Temperament: S. calceatum is known for its defensive nature and rapid movements. Caution is advised during maintenance to prevent escapes or accidental injury. Bites from this species can result in significant pain and muscle cramping.

• Humidity and Ventilation: Maintaining proper humidity levels is crucial, as spiderlings are particularly susceptible to desiccation. Ensure enclosures are well-ventilated to prevent mold growth.

With their distinctive appearance and manageable care requirements, Stromatopelma calceatum has become a notable species among tarantula enthusiasts. Their fast growth rate and relatively high reproductive output make captive breeding essential to maintain healthy populations in the hobby. By focusing on these efforts, we can reduce the need for wild-caught specimens, ensuring the sustainability of this remarkable species for future generations.

Final Thoughts

The Feather-Leg Baboon Tarantula is a fascinating and visually stunning species, but its speed, defensiveness, and venom potency make it a high-risk tarantula for advanced keepers only. It thrives in arboreal enclosures with vertical hides, creating intricate webbing tunnels.

With proper care, including:

• A secure, well-ventilated enclosure

• A deep substrate layer

• Ample climbing space and dense webbing areas

This species can be an amazing display tarantula for those with the skill and experience to care for it safely.

Additional Recommendations

• For enclosures, use: Tarantula Cribs (TTC10 for 10% off)

• For substrate, use: Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude

• For tarantulas, check out: Spider Shoppe (TTC10 for 10% off)