Heterothele

Heterothele is a small African genus of old-world tarantulas in the family Theraphosidae. It was established by German arachnologist Ferdinand Karsch in 1879, with Heterothele honesta from the Loango coast (modern-day Cabinda, Angola) designated as the type species.

Through the late 19th and 20th centuries, additional species were described from across central and eastern Africa, including the well-known H. gabonensis and several Congolese and Tanzanian species. Some early names were later revised: for example, Heterothele longipalpis was synonymised with H. gabonensis, and Heterothele caudicula was transferred to the genus Thalerommata.

Modern taxonomic work continues to refine the group. The World Spider Catalog currently recognises around ten valid Heterothele species, all restricted to Africa, and recent research has even added new species such as Heterothele erdosi from Nigeria in 2025.

These spiders are typically small, secretive dwarf baboon tarantulas known for heavy webbing and, in some species, surprising tolerance of conspecifics—traits that have helped make Heterothele an interesting genus for advanced keepers and communal experiments in captivity.

Genus and species: Heterothele sp. villosella

Common name: Tanzanian Chestnut Baboon

Given name:

Sex: Female

Life stage: Sub-adult

This is a dwarf species from Tanzania that can reach a few inches. They have beautiful coloration with a black and yellow carapace and black legs. Some hobbyists have said this is a beginner old world species.

Habitat: H. villosella is a fossorial species

Specimen Notes:

• New addition to our collection.

• Absolutely beautiful specimen.

• Took down a roach immediately after we housed her.