Golden Blue Leg Baboon Tarantula

Harpactira pulchripes Care Guide

The Golden Blue Leg Baboon

Revision Date: March 2025

Introduction

Harpactira pulchripes, commonly known as the Golden Blue Leg Baboon, is a stunning Old World fossorial tarantula species. This South African native is highly sought after in the hobby for its striking golden carapace and vibrant blue legs, making it one of the most visually captivating baboon tarantulas available. Unlike many Old World species, H. pulchripes is known for its relatively skittish rather than defensive nature, making it an excellent choice for those looking to transition into keeping Old World species. While it is not recommended for beginners due to its speed and potent venom, experienced keepers will appreciate its display tendencies and impressive webbing behavior.

Quick Species Snapshot

Scientific Name: Harpactira pulchripes
Common Name: Golden Blue Leg Baboon
Type: Fossorial (Burrowing)
Category: Old World
Native Range: South Africa
Size: Up to 5" (13 cm) DLS
Growth Rate: Medium
Life Expectancy: Females 12 years / Males 2-3 years
Experience Level: Intermediate
Urticating Hairs: No
Venom Potency: Strong (not medically significant but can cause severe localized pain and discomfort)

Taxonomy, Etymology & Natural Environment

Harpactira pulchripes, commonly known as the Golden Blue Leg Baboon Tarantula, is a stunning Old World species belonging to the Harpactirinae subfamily. Originally described by Pocock in 1901, this species has gained significant popularity in the tarantula hobby due to its striking metallic gold carapace and deep blue leg coloration, making it one of the most visually impressive African species available.

The genus name Harpactira is derived from Greek, meaning "seizing" or "grasping," a reference to the strong hunting instincts and rapid striking speed of species in this genus. The species name pulchripes translates to "beautiful feet," a fitting description of its vivid blue legs, which contrast sharply with its golden body.

Natural Range & Habitat

Harpactira pulchripes is endemic to South Africa, where it inhabits dry scrublands, grasslands, and semi-arid regions. As a fossorial species, it constructs deep burrows in compact soil, using silk to reinforce and line the tunnels. These burrows provide shelter from extreme heat and predators, making them essential for survival in its arid environment.

While its native habitat experiences moderate seasonal changes, the climate remains warm with low to moderate humidity levels. The species is well adapted to drier conditions, and in captivity, excessive moisture should be avoided to prevent stress or health issues.

Behavior & Temperament

Like most Old World baboon tarantulas, H. pulchripes is fast-moving, highly responsive, and not suited for handling. However, compared to some of its more defensive African relatives, this species is often described as less aggressive and more tolerant, though still capable of delivering a painful, venomous bite if provoked.

While H. pulchripes may initially be skittish, it tends to settle into captivity well, spending time both inside and outside its burrow. It is known to web extensively, creating intricate silk tunnels and reinforced burrow entrances that make for a fascinating display in a well-set-up enclosure.

Despite its bold nature and defensive capabilities, it is not prone to unnecessary aggression and will typically retreat into its burrow rather than stand its ground, though it is more than capable of delivering a powerful threat display if disturbed.

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.

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Temperature & Humidity

• Temperature: 70–80°F (21–27°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 Harpactira pulchripes in Captivity

Breeding Harpactira pulchripes (Golden Blue Leg Baboon) can be rewarding but presents challenges due to their defensive nature and the aggressive tendencies of mature females. Their striking colors and moderate size make them a sought-after species in the hobby, and captive breeding helps ensure that wild populations remain undisturbed.

Sexual Maturity & Pairing

• Male Maturity: Males typically mature within 2–3 years, developing tibial hooks and enlarged pedipalps for sperm transfer.

• Female Maturity: Females take 3–4 years to reach reproductive maturity, growing noticeably larger and stockier than males.

• Pre-Pairing Preparation: We should ensure the female is well-fed before introducing the male to reduce the risk of cannibalism. Some breeders report better success when increasing humidity slightly before pairing.

Mating Process

• Introduce the male in the evening, as tarantulas are more active at night.

• The male will drum on the substrate or the female’s webbing to signal his presence.

• If receptive, the female may drum back or remain still, allowing the male to approach and insert his emboli.

• Once mating is complete, the male should be removed immediately, as females often become aggressive post-mating.

Egg Sac Production

• If fertilized, the female will begin producing an egg sac 6–10 weeks after mating.

• Maintain temperatures around 75–80°F (24–27°C) with humidity levels of 60–70%, ensuring good airflow to prevent mold.

• The egg sac typically contains 50–150 eggs, though clutch sizes can vary.

Egg Sac Handling (Optional)

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

• If left with the mother, first instar spiderlings will emerge in 6–8 weeks and molt into second instar within 3–4 weeks.

Raising Spiderlings

• H. pulchripes spiderlings grow at a moderate pace and require stable humidity with good ventilation.

• Provide ventilated enclosures with ample burrowing opportunities, as slings exhibit fossorial tendencies early on.

• Feed them pinhead crickets, flightless fruit flies, or small roaches every 2–3 days to support healthy growth.

Challenges & Considerations

• Defensive females: Harpactira pulchripes females are known to be highly defensive, which can make pairing risky.

• Potential male aggression: While less common, some males may become skittish or bolt if the female reacts aggressively.

• Unpredictable egg sac viability: Some breeders report inconsistent sac success rates, possibly due to environmental factors.

With their stunning gold carapace and iridescent blue legs, Harpactira pulchripes is a prized species among Old World enthusiasts. While their defensive temperament makes breeding a challenge, successful pairings contribute to the long-term sustainability of the species in captivity. By focusing on captive breeding efforts, we reduce demand for wild-caught specimens and ensure future generations of H. pulchripes thrive in the hobby.

Final Thoughts

Harpactira pulchripes is a truly spectacular Old World tarantula that offers a unique blend of beauty and manageable temperament. Its striking golden and blue coloration, combined with its relatively docile nature (for an Old World species), makes it an excellent choice for keepers looking to transition into more advanced species. While it is still a fast-moving tarantula with potent venom, its skittish and burrow-oriented behavior reduces the likelihood of defensive interactions. If you’re looking for a fossorial tarantula that will stay out on display more than most burrowing species, H. pulchripes is a perfect choice.

Additional Recommendations (a small commission comes back to help support the Tarantula Collective):

For enclosures, consider Tarantula Cribs (affiliate code TTC10 for a 10% discount), and use Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude for substrate and other bioactive supplies. For tarantulas, check out Spider Shoppe (use code TTC10 for 10% off), and visit the Dealer & Discounts section on my website for a curated list of recommended dealers and discount codes.