Killimanjaro mustard baboon tarantula (Pterinochilus chordatus) is part of the
Species: chordatus.This tarantula is widespread in the following countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. It lives in hilly, warm areas with high humidity. Vegetation is represented by small shrubs, grass, geophytes.
Feeding Pterinochilus chordatus
These tarantulas are not picky when it comes to food, they accept both worms and cockroaches of all species used as food in captivity.Features Pterinochilus chordatus
The species was described in 1873 by Gerstacker. The general morphology is similar to the other species of this genus: pternochilus murinus, pterinochilus lugardi, etc.Pterinochilus chordatus, does not grow very much, the maximum size being about 13 centimeters. The color of this species is different from the congener species: the legs, pedipalps and chelicerae are beige, gray or black depending on the color variety or the time since the last Moult (the longer the period the darker the color). The joints of the legs and pedipalps are light yellow – yellow. The cephalothorax is also beige, grey or black with Golden striae arranged radially around the fovea ( in some specimens these striae are missing). around the eyes the color is black. The dorsal part of the abdomen is beige, gray or black, and on this background you can find lines, circles or darker dots.
The seminal receptacles of the female are well individualized, visible at the convex edge of the uterus externally. The species is predominantly tericola, so these specimens will dig numerous tunnels deep in the ground that they will cover with canvas. generally these tarantulas have a defensive behavior and are very fast, which does not recommend them as a suitable species for beginners.
Terrarium
The size of the terrarium is directly proportional to the size of the animal, so for a juvenile a terrarium of 15x10x15 cm (Lxlxh) is sufficient, and for an adult tarantula the dimensions increase as follows: 25x15x20 cm (Lxlxh). These tarantulas are not picky about the substrate or the decoration of the terrarium, it is recommended to add some branches, Wood, to give the tarantula a substrate on which to lay its canvas. It is Important that the tarantula is given 15-20 centimeters of substrate, given that it digs its galleries quite deep. Humidity is recommended to be around 60-70%, and the temperature between 23-25 degrees Celsius during the day and 2-3 degrees lower at night.
Venom
All species of tarantulas possess venom. Although it is not very potent, bites are never placute.De like any species of tarantula and pterinochilus chordatus can be unpredictable and a bite can occur at any time. For these reasons we recommend maximum attention when the tarantula is fed, moved or when its terrarium is cleaned.
It is not recommended to handle tarantulas, especially by those without experience.
Reproduction Pterinochilus chordatus
Under normal conditions sexual maturity is reached around the age of 3 years and the size of about 10 centimeters. Before mating, the female will be fed very often to stimulate the production of sex cells. at the time of mating it is recommended that there is no bright light in the terrarium, the male can be put directly in the terrarium of the female or can be left for a few days in a box in the terrarium of the female. Although the female is normally not very aggressive with the male, it is possible that she will attack and kill him after mating.
After mating, the egg sac is laid on average after about 30 days, and hatching occurs 40-60 days after laying. The bag contains an average of 150-170 eggs.
