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Olive Baboon Tarantula (Harpactira baviana)

Harpactira baviana

The Harpactira baviana, known as 'Olive Baboon Tarantula'. It is a very robust African weaver predator (4.7-5.5 inches legspan). It presents a camouflage coloration that varies from Olive Green to dark golden-gray, with showy black 'tiger stripes' on the carapace and abdomen. Like all Harpactira, it is an Old World baboon spider: very fast, equipped with neurotoxic venom (no urticating hairs) and capable of weaving immense and elaborate tubular structures of dense white silk near the ground. Shy temperament but fiercely defensive if its 'silk castle' is threatened.

Taxonomy
Class:Arachnida
Order:Araneae
Family:Theraphosidae
Genus:Harpactira
Species:Harpactira baviana

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Environment

Terrestrial

Humidity

45 - 60 %

Ambient temperature

26 °C

Day temperature

22 - 26 °C

Night temperature

18 - 20 °C

Substrate depth

>= 10 cm

UVB

None

Species description

Geographic Origin and Habitat: World Spider Catalog records South Africa as the distribution. The consulted taxonomic record does not provide a habitat description.
Taxonomy and Genetics: World Spider Catalog treats Harpactira baviana Purcell, 1903 as an accepted species in the genus Harpactira, family Theraphosidae.
Behaviour and Habits: The consulted taxonomic record does not provide a species-specific behaviour observation.
Morphology and Sexual Dimorphism: World Spider Catalog cites the original description by Purcell (1903a), page 30, plate 1, figure 9 (Dmf); this record does not provide a complete comparative diagnosis of the sexes.

Care, breeding and tankmates

Terrarium Setup: Guidance about terrarium setup for Harpactira baviana must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Lighting and Heating: Guidance about lighting and heating for Harpactira baviana must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Humidity and Hydration: Guidance about humidity and hydration for Harpactira baviana must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Feeding and Supplementation: Guidance about feeding and supplementation for Harpactira baviana must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Compatibility and Coexistence: Guidance about compatibility and coexistence for Harpactira baviana must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Health and Common Diseases: Guidance about health and common diseases for Harpactira baviana must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

This species originates from: Africa (Aree aride, savane e boscaglie del Sudafrica).

Origin

Africa and Madagascar

Terrestrial invertebrate profile

Diet
No verified data available
Life expectancy
No verified data available
Adult size
5 cm
The catalog's scalar value is 5 cm. The Spiderstore — Harpactira baviana source reports a maximum adult measurement of 5 cm for this species, recorded as body length. The taxonomic record consulted is Harpactira baviana. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Lifestyle/Microhabitat
No verified data available
Activity cycle
No verified data available
Sociality
No verified data available
Reproduction
No verified data available
Venom level
No verified data available
Handling tolerance
No verified data available
Brumation
No verified data available
Molting
No verified data available

Image gallery

Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.

Related species

Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.

Variants and close relatives

Same atlas type, nearby scientific identity, genus, or family.

Golden Blue Leg Baboon (Harpactira pulchripes)

Golden Blue Leg Baboon (Harpactira pulchripes)

Harpactira pulchripes

Mexican Fireleg Tarantula

Mexican Fireleg Tarantula

Brachypelma boehmei

Chilean Flame Tarantula (Euathlus sp. Red)

Chilean Flame Tarantula (Euathlus sp. Red)

Euathlus sp. Red

Mexican Redknee Tarantula

Mexican Redknee Tarantula

Brachypelma hamorii

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Similar care

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Last updated: 08/10/2026
Olive Baboon Tarantula (Harpactira baviana) Care Guide & Terrarium Setup | Atlarium