Hysterocrates hercules
✓ VerifiedHercules Baboon Tarantula, Nigerian Goliath Baboon
Quick Facts
Adult Size
7-9 inches
Growth Rate
slow
Temperament
defensive
Taxonomy
Community
Experience Required
Advanced
Experienced keepers only
🌡️ Climate Requirements
Temperature Range
78–85°F
(26–29°C)
Humidity Range
75% - 90%
🏠 Enclosure Sizes
Sling
Small vial with deep moist substrate
Juvenile
6x6x6" with 4" substrate
Adult
15x15x10" with 8" substrate
🪨 Substrate
Type
moist coco fiber and topsoil, semi-wet lower layer
Depth
8-10 inches
🍽️ Feeding Schedule
Sling
Every 5-7 days
Juvenile
Once per week
Adult
Every 2-3 weeks
Prey Size
Appropriately sized prey (up to 2/3 body length)
💧 Additional Care Notes
Water Dish
Required
Webbing
light
Burrowing
Yes
🕷️ Behavior & Temperament
General Temperament
defensive
Care Guide
**Hercules Baboon Tarantula** — One of the largest tarantulas on the African continent, with females reportedly reaching 7-9 inches. A massive, heavily built fossorial species from the rainforests of Nigeria.
⚠️ OLD WORLD SPECIES: No urticating hairs; potent Old World venom; powerful and defensive. For advanced experienced keepers only.
Unlike most African baboon spiders, H. hercules is a high-humidity species from tropical Nigerian rainforest. Keep the substrate consistently moist — lower layers should be semi-wet. High humidity (75-90%) is essential. The enclosure should be a large terrestrial/fossorial setup with very deep substrate (8-10 inches) for burrowing.
Related to H. gigas (Cameroon Red Baboon) but larger and from a drier diet of rodents and large insects in the wild. A rare and impressive species increasingly available through specialist breeders.
⚠️ Safety Information
Urticating Hairs
This species does not have urticating hairs (Old World species).
Venom Potency
⚠️ WARNING: This species has medically significant venom. Bites can cause severe pain and systemic effects. Only for experienced keepers. Seek immediate medical attention if bitten.
Species Statistics
0
Total Keepers
N/A
Community Rating
Advanced
Care Level
🕷️
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