Overview

Pterinochilus lugardi, also sold as the Grey Starburst or Tanzanian Blonde Baboon, is a pale African burrowing tarantula with a darker carapace pattern. Adults generally reach around 10–13 cm leg span.

Origin

Eastern and southern Africa. Dodoma is a hobby common name and does not guarantee the locality of this animal.

Housing

Keep singly. Our recommended adult enclosure is approximately 30 × 30 × 30 cm with 12–15 cm of compact, burrow-holding substrate, an angled cork starter hide and low anchors for silk. Its burrow and web tunnel are central to its security. Raise small specimens in smaller escape-proof containers rather than an oversized adult tank.

Temperature & Moisture

Aim for 23–26°C. Maintain a mostly dry surface, a permanent water dish and a little retained moisture lower in one corner. Good ventilation is important; do not keep it in a soaked rainforest-style enclosure. Avoid heating underneath its burrow.

Feeding

Offer a suitably small cricket or roach near the burrow entrance. Growing spiderlings may take small meals every 3–4 days; larger specimens about weekly and adults every 1–2 weeks, adjusted to abdomen condition. Do not introduce prey into a sealed retreat.

Behaviour & Care

An Old World spider that can be fast and defensive even when it spends most of its time hidden. For experienced keepers; no handling or hand-feeding. Keep fingers outside and use a catch cup for planned rehousing. Preserve established silk and minimise disturbance. Remove uneaten live prey within 24 hours and immediately if moulting is suspected. Do not disturb a spider on its back or open a sealed retreat. After a moult, wait until the fangs are dark and fully hardened before feeding; this takes longer in larger spiders.

Stock Information

S is the original stock label; it does not confirm sex or an exact leg span.

Please note

Live Animals Are Click and Collect Only. Order online for collection at Newlands Home & Garden Centre, Clondalkin. We do not ship live animals.