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Feather Leg Baboon (Stromatopelma calceatum)

Stromatopelma calceatum

The Stromatopelma calceatum, known among experts as 'Feather Leg Baboon'. It is the undisputed queen of African arboreal spiders (5.9-6.3 inches legspan), considered the most frightening, aggressive and fast tarantula to handle in captivity (along with H. maculata). Possesses a hypnotic coloration: golden-gray or mustard with black spotted patterns and, above all, very thick 'scopulae' (hairy pads) on the hind legs that look like feathers. Totally devoid of hesitation, it bites inflicting one of the most painful and prolonged neurotoxic venoms of the entire hobby. An elusive arboreal ghost, but lethally offensive if uncovered.

Taxonomy

Class:Arachnida

Order:Araneae

Family:Theraphosidae

Genus:Stromatopelma

Species:Stromatopelma calceatum

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Environment

Terrestrial

Humidity

65 - 75 %

Day temperature

25 - 29 °C

Night temperature

22 - 24 °C

UVB

None

Species description

Geographic Origin and Habitat: This recovery makes no geographic-origin or habitat statement beyond the cited facts.

Taxonomy and Genetics: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy lists Stromatopelma calceatum (Fabricius, 1793) as an accepted species in the genus Stromatopelma, family Theraphosidae and order Araneae. This recovery makes no genetic statement beyond the cited taxonomic facts.

Behaviour and Habits: This recovery makes no behavioural statement beyond the cited facts.

Morphology and Sexual Dimorphism: This recovery makes no morphological or sex-comparison statement beyond the cited facts.

Care, breeding and tankmates

Terrarium Setup: Guidance about terrarium setup for Stromatopelma calceatum must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.

Lighting and Heating: Guidance about lighting and heating for Stromatopelma calceatum must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.

Humidity and Hydration: Guidance about humidity and hydration for Stromatopelma calceatum must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.

Feeding and Supplementation: Guidance about feeding and supplementation for Stromatopelma calceatum must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.

Compatibility and Coexistence: Guidance about compatibility and coexistence for Stromatopelma calceatum must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.

Health and Common Diseases: Guidance about health and common diseases for Stromatopelma calceatum must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

This species originates from: Africa (Foreste pluviali e mangrovie dell'Africa Occidentale: Guinea, Sierra Leone, Camerun).

Origin

Africa and Madagascar

Terrestrial invertebrate profile

Diet: No verified data available
Life expectancy: No verified data available
Adult size: 17 cm
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.

Recommended companions

Compatible cards from coherent ecosystems with matching parameters.

Similar care

Cards with similar requirements, difficulty, habitat, and husbandry profile.

Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Origin

Terrestrial invertebrate profile

Image gallery

Related species

Variants and close relatives

Costa Rican Zebra Tarantula (Aphonopelma seemanni)

Guatemalan Tiger Rump (Davus pentaloris)

Puerto Rican Brown Tarantula (Cyrtopholis portoricae)

Pumpkin Patch Tarantula (Hapalopus formosus)

Recommended companions

Edible Bullfrog

Punctate Reed Frog

Mitchell's Reed Frog

Chacoan Horned Frog (Pacman Frog)

Similar care

Orange Baboon Tarantula

Golden Blue Leg Baboon (Harpactira pulchripes)

Blue Foot Baboon (Idiothele mira)

Borneo Black Tarantula (Phormingochilus arboricola)