Orange Baboon Tarantula Care
Species: Pterinochilus murinus
Common Names: Orange Baboon Tarantula, OBT, Usambara Orange Baboon, “Orange Bitey Thing”
The Orange Baboon Tarantula (Pterinochilus murinus), affectionately nicknamed the OBT or “Orange Bitey Thing,” is a legend among tarantula keepers. Native to eastern and southern Africa, this Old World terrestrial species is as stunning as it is notorious.
With its vivid orange coloration, elaborate webbing, and infamously defensive behavior, the OBT has earned both respect and caution in the hobby. While not suitable for beginners, it remains a firm favorite among experienced enthusiasts for its personality, hardiness, and striking beauty.
Quick Facts
- Scientific Name: Pterinochilus murinus
- Common Names: Orange Baboon Tarantula, Usambara Baboon, OBT
- Origin: East and Southern Africa (Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Mozambique)
- Adult Size: 10–13 cm (4–5 inches) leg span
- Lifespan: Females 12–15 years; Males 3–4 years
- Temperament: Extremely defensive, fast, unpredictable
- Experience Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Housing & Enclosure
The OBT is a terrestrial burrower and heavy webber. It prefers to build extensive tunnel systems, often covering the entire enclosure with silk.
Recommended enclosure sizes:
- Juveniles: 20 × 20 × 20 cm
- Adults: 30 × 30 × 30 cm (12 × 12 × 12 inches)
Setup guidelines:
- Provide deep substrate (at least 10–15 cm / 4–6 inches) for burrowing
- Include cork bark, rocks, or half logs for shelter and web anchors
- Ensure good ventilation
- Keep lighting low — they prefer dim, natural conditions
The OBT adapts well to both dry scrubland and slightly humid setups, as long as there is plenty of web structure and stable conditions.
Substrate & Decoration
Recommended substrate:
- Coco coir, peat moss, or topsoil, slightly packed for burrowing
Add:
- Cork bark or driftwood for structure
- Leaf litter or fake plants to encourage webbing
- Avoid overly damp or sterile setups
Once settled, the OBT will create tunnels, web curtains, and walls that make the enclosure look like a fortified den — an incredible display of instinctive engineering.
Temperature & Humidity
- Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)
- Humidity: 50–60% (keep mostly dry with a small water dish)
Mist lightly once every week if your home environment is dry. The OBT is extremely hardy and tolerates a range of humidity levels.
Always ensure adequate airflow — stagnant or overly moist conditions can cause issues.
Feeding & Water
OBTs are fierce hunters and rarely shy away from a meal.
Feeding schedule:
- Slings: Every 4–5 days
- Juveniles: Every 7 days
- Adults: Every 10–12 days
Feed crickets, roaches, or locusts appropriate to body size. Drop the prey near the entrance of its web or burrow. The OBT will typically explode from its retreat to strike with lightning speed.
Provide a small, shallow water dish, even if it’s often covered in webbing.
Handling & Temperament
Handling is not recommended.
Pterinochilus murinus is one of the most defensive species in the hobby — it will not hesitate to throw a threat posture, strike repeatedly, or bolt with surprising speed.
Its venom is potent, and while not medically serious, bites are known to cause intense pain, swelling, and cramping lasting several days.
Behavioral traits:
- Extremely fast and reactive
- Highly territorial
- Prefers to stand its ground rather than flee
When performing maintenance, always use long tweezers, catch cups, and precise movements. Respect its space, and it will reward you with fascinating behavior and impressive displays.
Molting
OBTs typically molt within their burrow or webbed retreat.
Pre-molt signs:
- Refusal of food
- Sealing off the burrow or web entrance
- Darker or duller coloration
Avoid disturbing during this time. After molting, wait 7–10 days before offering prey again.
Common Health Issues
- Too much humidity: Can cause respiratory or fungal issues
- Poor ventilation: Promotes mold and stagnation
- Stress from disturbance: May trigger repeated defensive behavior
The OBT is otherwise extremely hardy and rarely experiences health problems if kept properly.
Breeding (Overview)
Breeding P. murinus is well-documented and relatively straightforward for experienced keepers.
- Introduce a well-fed female and male carefully
- Supervise constantly; females may turn aggressive quickly
- The egg sac contains 100–200 spiderlings and is carried by the female
Spiderlings are easy to raise and grow rapidly, showing their fiery personality from an early age.
Quick Care Checklist
- Type: Terrestrial
- Enclosure: 30 × 30 × 30 cm
- Substrate: Coco coir/topsoil (10–15 cm deep)
- Temperature: 24–28°C
- Humidity: 50–60%
- Feeding: Crickets/roaches every 7–12 days
- Handling: Not advised — extremely defensive and fast
Final Thoughts
The Orange Baboon Tarantula is one of the most recognizable spiders in the hobby — brilliantly colored, fearless, and endlessly fascinating. It embodies everything that makes Old World species so captivating: speed, strength, intelligence, and personality.
While not a species to handle, it is a fantastic display tarantula for those who respect its power and enjoy watching natural behavior. For the experienced keeper, the OBT remains an absolute classic — a fiery jewel of the African continent and a must-have for any serious tarantula collection.
© The Tarantula Vault
All information provided is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional veterinary care.
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