SPECIAL NOTE: USPS forbids shipping venomous spiders or scorpions in the mail.

Because of this, we ship these animals FedEx priority overnight for a flat fee of $39.99

This species has medically significant venom—bites from this species may require medical attention!

Defining Characteristics:

• An absolutely gorgeous spider from Togo and Ghana, this beauty should not be taken lightly—this species is very fast and defensive.
• Due to the strong nature of this species’ venom, extra caution should always be taken any time the enclosure is open.
• Preferring to stay hidden, they can usually be found on walkabouts in the darkness after the room their enclosure is kept in has been low traffic for a few hours.
• Preferring to burrow as slings and travel upwards as they gain some size, babies of this species are known to do some major excavation at the base of any provided vertical hide.

Name: Heteroscodra maculata or “Togo Starburst Baboon” has a scientific name with Greek and Latin roots meaning “Different shield” and “spotted or marked”.

Enclosure Size & Setup: As with most arboreal species, we recommend an enclosure with at least two times the spider’s diagonal leg span for length and width, and at least three times the spider’s diagonal leg span for height. Heteroscodra slings do like to burrow at the base of any provided vertical hides, so babies should be provided a good 2 inches of a good burrowing substrate. ABG mix, coco cradle, or Dig-It are good substrate options, but our Pet Bug Team prefers ABG all the way! Some adults of this species do like to have a burrow as well, though they can usually be found hiding on the backside of any provided bark.

They will benefit from a variety of terrarium furniture (cork bark, manzanita wood, etc.) as well to climb on and foliage to hide behind. Live plants can be beneficial to air quality. 

Temperature (°F): A comfortable range for them is between 75-82°. Temperatures consistently 5 or more degrees outside of this range should be avoided for long term safety of the spider.

We recommend a reliable thermometer to monitor temps within your spider's enclosure.

Humidity: 65-75% is an ideal range. This can be achieved by misting half of the enclosure every week or two, depending on ventilation. Mist more or less frequently if you find that the substrate is drying out too quickly or staying consistently wet.

We recommend a reliable hygrometer to monitor humidity within your spider's enclosure.

Size: At the time of sale, specimens are about 1 inch diagonal leg span.

Age: Females of this species can reach 12-14 years of age, while males will only live 3-4 years.

Feeding: These spiders are currently eating two to three 1/4 inch crickets, once a week. There are a variety of appropriate prey items that you can offer, such as roaches, waxworms, black soldier fly larvae, hornworms, and silkworms. Consider feeding your prey items with our gutload formula to give your pet well-rounded nutrition.

We recommend that the prey items not be much longer than the tarantula's “head” is wide. Larvae are an exception—our larvae are harmless. Since they are very high in fat, they're not the best staple diet, however they make a great weight gain supplement.

Remove uneaten prey items after 24 hours, these may stress your animal out or endanger the spider during molting. Never attempt to feed a freshly molted tarantula less than a week after their molt to prevent injury to the spider. Depending on its age, the hardening process could take anywhere from 48 hours all the way up to a week.

Sexing: Due to their age, Heteroscodra maculata sold by Josh's Frogs are sold as unsexed. Accurate sexing can be determined around 2.5-3 inch diagonal leg span, and most accurately done by molt. Females, between the top two sets of book lungs in the molt, will have a pronounced spermatheca and uterus externus that will present as a "flap" that will catch and open if a pin is gently run down it. Males will have just a simple slit that does not budge if manipulated.

Coloration/Patterning: As slings H. maculata are a mottled golden brown. As they molt and age they gradually go to their adult coloration of a flat gray with a black starburst on the carapace and black patterning on the abdomen and legs.

Social Behavior: Heteroscodra maculata are not social creatures and should be housed individually. Attempts to cohabitate will likely result in cannibalism.

Natural Range: Heteroscodra maculata are found mainly in the African countries of Togo and Ghana.

Links of Interest:

• Arachnoboards: a community of spider enthusiasts that will be able to or have already answered almost any question you can think of with regards to tarantulas.

Still not sure if Togo Starburst Baboon tarantula from Josh's Frogs is the right pet bug for you? Read the reviews below and see what other customers are saying!