Keeper guide

Straight Horned Baboon Enclosure Security — Escape-Proofing a Ceratogyrus marshalli Setup

A secure enclosure for Straight Horned Baboons needs more than a lid that appears closed. With Ceratogyrus marshalli, check door gaps, ventilation holes, loose panels and decor against the current size and behaviour of the spider.

Lids, doors and gaps

Make sure Ceratogyrus marshalli cannot lift a lid, push through a loose door or use a gap that was designed for a larger animal. Recheck security after every rehouse.

Small Straight Horned Baboons can exploit openings an adult could never use. If the carapace could fit through a gap, treat it as a possible escape route.

Ventilation openings

Ventilation for Ceratogyrus marshalli should provide airflow without creating escape-sized holes or sharp edges. Mesh, drilled plastic and vents all need to remain firmly fixed.

Security and ventilation should work together in a Straight Horned Baboon enclosure; neither should be sacrificed to make the other easier.

Door position and routine access

Place the water dish and normal feeding area where the Ceratogyrus marshalli enclosure does not need to be opened farther than necessary.

Before opening a Straight Horned Baboon enclosure, locate the spider first. A spider behind cork, webbing or a burrow entrance can be much closer to the opening than it appears.

Stable decor

Keep heavy cork, rocks and other decor secure in the Ceratogyrus marshalli enclosure so digging cannot undermine them.

With Straight Horned Baboons, normal burrowing or webbing should not be able to turn a secure enclosure into an unstable one.

Final check after maintenance

After feeding, watering or cleaning Ceratogyrus marshalli, confirm that every latch, lid and ventilation panel is fully closed before leaving the enclosure.

Make one final check around the Straight Horned Baboon enclosure for trapped substrate, tools or cables that could stop a door or lid sealing properly.