Ghana Starburst Baboon Tarantula Care

Species: Heteroscodra crassipes
Common Name: Ghana Starburst Baboon

The Ghana Starburst Baboon (Heteroscodra crassipes) is a striking and rarely kept arboreal Old World tarantula native to West Africa. Similar in build and behavior to its more famous relative, H. maculata, this species displays beautiful mottled patterns of brown, grey, and ivory, providing excellent camouflage among bark and foliage.

Though not as widely available in the hobby, H. crassipes offers the same high-speed agility, intricate webbing, and fierce defensive behavior that make the Heteroscodra genus both respected and feared.

This is a spider for the experienced keeper who appreciates cryptic beauty, natural behavior, and the thrill of maintaining one of Africa’s most formidable arboreals.

Quick Facts

  • Scientific Name: Heteroscodra crassipes
  • Common Name: Ghana Starburst Baboon
  • Origin: Ghana and neighboring West African regions
  • Adult Size: 12–14 cm (5–5.5 inches) leg span
  • Lifespan: Females 12–14 years; Males 3–4 years
  • Temperament: Extremely fast, defensive, secretive
  • Experience Level: Advanced

Housing & Enclosure

H. crassipes is an arboreal species that constructs dense silken retreats among vertical surfaces. It thrives in a tall, well-ventilated enclosure with ample anchor points for webbing and retreat building.

Recommended enclosure sizes:

  • Juveniles: 20 × 20 × 30 cm
  • Adults: 30 × 30 × 45 cm (12 × 12 × 18 inches)

Setup guidelines:

  • Provide a vertical cork bark slab or hollow tube for climbing
  • Add foliage or artificial plants for web support and cover
  • Ensure cross ventilation and a secure lid
  • Avoid bright lights — these spiders prefer subdued conditions

Once comfortable, H. crassipes will web the upper sections heavily, creating a silken retreat it rarely leaves except to feed.

Substrate & Decoration

Recommended substrate:

  • Coco coir, peat moss, or topsoil (5–8 cm depth)

Add:

  • Cork bark for climbing and anchoring
  • Branches or vines for structure
  • Moss or leaf litter to aid humidity control

Maintain a natural, vertical setup to encourage realistic behavior and web-building.

Temperature & Humidity

  • Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)
  • Humidity: 70–80%

Mist one side of the enclosure lightly every few days, keeping one area dry to prevent mold. Provide a small water dish at the base — even if webbed over, it helps maintain ambient humidity.

Avoid excessive moisture buildup by ensuring consistent airflow.

Feeding & Water

This species is a voracious ambush predator that responds instantly to movement near its retreat.

Feeding schedule:

  • Slings: Every 4–5 days
  • Juveniles: Every 7 days
  • Adults: Every 10–12 days

Feed crickets, roaches, or locusts of suitable size. Drop prey near the web entrance to trigger feeding behavior. Remove uneaten insects within 24 hours to avoid stress.

Fresh water should always be available.

Handling & Temperament

Handling is not recommended under any circumstances.

H. crassipes is an extremely fast and defensive tarantula, known to bolt or strike without hesitation when disturbed. Its venom is potent, typical of Old World species, and can cause intense pain and muscle cramping.

Behavioral notes:

  • Prefers retreat but reacts quickly when threatened
  • Uses intricate silk tunnels as both warning and defense
  • Can display threat postures if cornered

Perform enclosure maintenance slowly and carefully, keeping full awareness of the spider’s position at all times. Use long tweezers and catch cups — never direct handling.

Molting

Molting generally occurs inside the main silken retreat.

Pre-molt signs:

  • Food refusal
  • Sealing of the web tunnel
  • Dull, faded coloration

Avoid disturbing the enclosure until the tarantula reappears. Wait 7–10 days post-molt before offering food again.

Common Health Issues

  • Insufficient ventilation: Can lead to mold and poor air quality
  • Overdry conditions: May cause dehydration
  • Disturbance: Triggers stress and defensive behavior

Maintain a balance of humidity, airflow, and stability for optimal health.

Breeding (Overview)

Breeding is possible but should only be attempted by experienced hobbyists due to aggression levels.

  • Pair well-fed, mature individuals
  • Introduce the male cautiously and under close supervision
  • A successful pairing may yield an egg sac within 8–10 weeks containing 100–200 spiderlings

Spiderlings are hardy and display arboreal tendencies early in life.

Quick Care Checklist

  • Type: Arboreal
  • Enclosure: Tall (30 × 30 × 45 cm)
  • Substrate: Coco coir/topsoil (5–8 cm)
  • Temperature: 24–28°C
  • Humidity: 70–80%
  • Feeding: Crickets or roaches every 7–12 days
  • Handling: Not advised — highly defensive and fast

Final Thoughts

The Ghana Starburst Baboon (Heteroscodra crassipes) is an extraordinary, seldom-seen tarantula that embodies everything unique about African arboreals — speed, strength, and stunning camouflage. Its reserved, predatory lifestyle makes it fascinating to observe for those who prefer watching natural behavior over handling.

For the experienced enthusiast, H. crassipes represents a rare opportunity to keep and study one of West Africa’s most enigmatic and underappreciated tarantulas, making it a prized addition to The Tarantula Vault’s Old World collection.

© The Tarantula Vault
All information provided is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional veterinary care.
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