Harpactira

Dominik Alexander
Nov 19
2 min read

Harpactira is a genus of African tarantulas in the subfamily Harpactirinae, native mainly to South Africa with one species also occurring in Namibia. The group is one of the earliest theraphosids described from Africa. The spider we now know as Harpactira atra was originally described in 1832 by Pierre André Latreille as Mygale atra from the Cape of Good Hope region.

In 1871, Austrian arachnologist Anton Ausserer established the new genus Harpactira and transferred Mygale atra into it, making Harpactira atra the type species. This made Harpactira the first formally described genus in what is now recognized as the African harpactirine tarantulas, preceding other well-known genera such as Pterinochilus and Ceratogyrus that were described later in the 1890s.

Through the late 19th and early 20th centuries, arachnologists like Pocock, Purcell, and Simon added multiple species to the genus, clarifying its identity and synonymizing a short-lived separate genus (Planadecta) under Harpactira in the early 1900s. Today, Harpactira contains around 15 recognized species, all terrestrial or semi-fossorial tarantulas adapted to the varied habitats of southern Africa.

In the modern hobby, Harpactira species have gained popularity thanks to their earthy tones, distinctive leg striping, and in particular the striking Harpactira pulchripes, often called the “golden blue-leg baboon,” which has drawn attention back to this historically important African genus.

Harpactira pulchripes

Given name: Niki

This species is native to South Africa. The H. pulchripes is an inconic African baboon species with a gold/yellow body and metallic blue legs. When the legs stick out of a burrow, they resemble the fingers of a baboon, hence the name. Adult females may reach 5 to 6 inches.

Habitat: they reside in primarily arid environments, and commonly burrow between rocks and holes in the ground.

Recommended viewing:

https://www.tarantupedia.com/harpactirinae/harpactira/harpactira-pulchripes

Husbandry Notes:

Enclosure: 12x12x12

Sex: Female

Life stage: Sub-adult

Size: Approximately 4.25 in

Growth: TBD

Disposition: TBD

Eating habits: TBD

Misc: Always in her cork bark but periodically sticks her legs out of her hole.

Genus and species: Harpactira marksi

Common name: Elizabethfontein Baboon

Given name: ??

This species is native to South Africa and adult females typically reach 5 inches. As with other Harpactira species, they are burrowers. They posses unique colorations with some dark blue and yellow hues, but most have browns, blacks, and olive.