Rear Horned Baboon Tarantula – Ceratogyrus darlingi
Native to the Southern region of Africa, Ceratogyrus Dalingi is an old-world tarantula that is best known for its strikingly beautiful horn and spectacular multi-coloured carapace. Since this horn one of the defining aspects of these tarantulas, they are also popularly known as the Rear Horned Baboon& Burst Horned Baboon. The Ceratogyrus grows around 4.5 inches to 5 inches in size, and their coloration ranges between grey, black and mud-brown.
Scientific Name
Ceratogyrus darlingi
Geographical distribution
Ceratogyrus is native to the Southern region of Africa and certain parts of Botswana, Mozambique and Lezotho.
Ceratogyrus darlingi
Preferred natural habitat
Since the Rear Horned Baboon is native to Mozambique and Africa, they are particularly fond of a terrestrial setting. This is also one of the major reasons why they cannot survive amid too much moisture. So, if you’re planning to keep them as pets, do ensure that your vial has a relatively arid environment.
Since these tarantulas are native to Mozambique and Africa, they are particularly fond of a terrestrial setting. This is also one of the major reasons why they cannot survive amid too much moisture. So, if you’re planning to keep them as pets, do ensure that your vial has a relatively arid environment.
Preferred food in the wild
In the wild, these tarantulas thrive on a hearty meal of cricket, roaches, earthworms and sling worms. Although they tend to be voracious eaters, you won’t usually find these tarantulas targeting larger preys.
Personality
Being old world tarantulas, these species are usually aggressive in nature. Although they do not come with urticating hairs, they still manage to defend themselves with their lethal bite and venom. The venom might initially seem like a bee sting, but it can end up having a significant impact on your system. Some of the common symptoms include nausea, headache, and muscle sprains. Due to this reason, we would only suggest you to, keep them as pets if you already have some prior experience in handling tarantulas.
Feeding as a pet
As pets, these tarantulas can thrive on a meal of crickets, roaches, and other smalls insects. You can also feed them earthworms and fruit flies, once in a while. Typically, these tarantulas thrive best, if you feed them once a week.
Lifespan both male and female
Like most other tarantulas, the female specie of the Ceratogyrus group tends to have a longer lifespan than their male counterpart. Typically, the female has an average lifespan of 15 years, while their male counterpart only manages to live up to 2 to 4 years. Do note that the lifespan of both the tarantulas might reduce if they are kept in captivity.
Pet enclosure type
Being opportunistic burrowers, these species won’t need any hide. However, they will need a tank that’s at least 5 gallon or more for their optimum comfort. In addition to the tank, also ensure that they are provided with the necessary substrate. The typical temperature in the tank should be around 25 degree Celsius to 28 degree Celsius and the humidity should range between 60% and 75%. Since these tarantulas are avid burrowers, you will barely find them coming out for their burrows.
Pet enclosure habitat layout
Being avid burrowers, these tarantulas thrive best when they are provided with the necessary substrate. So, while housing them, make sure you’ve added plenty of damp substrate for their convenience. As the tarantulas are introduced in their new abode, you’ll find them tunnelling and burrowing within a couple of hours. Since they are also popular for webbing, you are likely to find them crafting a web right after you introduce them to their enclosure.
Mating / reproducing
Since the Certogyrus Darlingi is a fast breeder, mating them won’t be that big of a hassle. You can pair these tarantulas twice in a period of one months. Once you introduce the female to the male, they will naturally reciprocate the process without your added help. The egg sac is likely to be visible within 15-20 days post mating. Once you notice it, let it rest and pull it off only 2 to 3 weeks. For best results, keep the humidity between 60 to 70%. Since these tarantulas can often get quite aggressive, it is always better to handle them with proper patience.
Development rate
The Rear Horned Baboon is known to be a fast grower. So, you can expect them to assume a size of 4.5 to 5 inches within 1 to 3 years. Although both the male and female tarantulas grow exceptionally fast, the male ones are relatively smaller in size when compared to their female counterparts.
