Pterinochilus

Pterinochilus is a small African genus of baboon spiders in the tarantula family Theraphosidae, first established in 1897 by British zoologist Reginald Innes Pocock. Today around ten species are recognized, all native to sub-Saharan Africa, with the best-known member in the hobby being Pterinochilus murinus, the famous “Orange Baboon Tarantula” or OBT.

Early scientific history

• Pre-genus groundwork (1870s–1890s)

  Before the genus Pterinochilus was even named, African baboon spiders in this group were being described under other genera. In 1878, Ferdinand Karsch described a species as Harpactira elevata. Over a century later, arachnologist Richard Gallon showed that this name actually referred to the same spider we now know as Pterinochilus murinus, making H. elevata a senior synonym of P. murinus.

• Creation of the genus (1897)

  In 1897, Pocock formally created the genus Pterinochilus based on a male specimen of Pterinochilus vorax from the Lake Tanganyika region of what is now western Tanzania. In the same publication he also described P. murinus, which would later become one of the most widely kept old-world tarantulas in the hobby.

Revision and modern taxonomy

During the 20th century, more African tarantulas were placed into Pterinochilus, but later research showed several of them actually belonged in other genera. Modern revisions, especially Gallon’s detailed work on African Harpactirinae in the early 2000s, moved a number of former Pterinochilus species into genera such as Augacephalus, Eucratoscelus, Ceratogyrus, Idiothele, and others.

As of recent catalog updates, Pterinochilus is considered a well-defined genus of around ten species, including P. vorax (the type species), P. murinus, P. lugardi, P. chordatus, and several more localized species like P. lapalala and P. raygabrieli.

In the hobby

Within the tarantula community, Pterinochilus is best known for P. murinus. Described by Pocock in 1897, this species ranges across central, eastern and southern Africa and is notorious for its defensive nature and potent bite. In the trade it’s often sold under names like “Orange Baboon Tarantula,” “Orange Bitey Thing,” and “Mombasa Golden Starburst.”

Bright orange “Usambara” forms that were once treated as an undescribed species are now generally accepted as regional or color variants of P. murinus, illustrating how ongoing fieldwork and taxonomic research continue to refine our understanding of this dramatic African genus.

Pterinochilus murinous

Common name: Orange Baboon Tarantula (aka, orange bitey thing)

Given name: Sonja (red color form)

Sex: Female

Life stage: Sub-adult

This African species can grow to 6 inches in length. The OBT is an iconic African species in the hobby and is known for its nasty disposition.

There are currently 5 known colour variants of Pterinochilus murinus: and also localities of those as listed after the color form names.

BCF - Brown Colour Form - Tete, Mozambique

DCF - Dark Colour Form - Botswana/Zimbabwe, Kenya, Kigoma, Mikumi

OCF - Orange Colour Form - Usambara Mountains Region (used to be called UMW before RCF was found)

RCF - Red Colour Form - Usambara Mountains Region

TCF - Typical Colour Form - Kenya, Mozambique

source: wikipedia

Habitat: They reside in relatively dry scrubland

Specimen Notes:

• Our specimen burrows but comes out periodically

• Thus far, we have not observed defensive behavior

• Beautiful red color form

Genus and species: Pterinochilus murinous

Common name: Orange Baboon Tarantula (aka, orange bitey thing)

Given name: Olive (dark color form)

Sex: Female

Life stage: Adult

This African species can grow to 6 inches in length. The OBT is an iconic African species in the hobby and is known for its nasty disposition.

Habitat: They reside in relatively dry scrubland

Specimen Notes:

• Our specimen has not burrowed or used its hide; it hangs out on the walls of its enclosure

• She is nasty and highly defensive

• Have not observed her eat yet