Keeper guide

Why Is My Orange Baboon Tarantula Not Eating? — Pterinochilus murinus

An Orange Baboon Tarantula refusing food is often normal. Pterinochilus murinus may fast before a moult, after rehousing, at maturity or simply during a period of lower appetite.

At a glance

Quick facts

World
Old World
Origin
Central, eastern and southern Africa across a broad accepted range
Lifestyle
Terrestrial
UK hobby rarity
Common
Maximum size
About 13–15 cm (5–6 in)
Growth rate
Fast
Male lifespan
Around 3–4 years
Female lifespan
Often 10–14 years
Temperament
Very fast and highly defensive when cornered; often prefers retreat when given space
Venom
Medically significant bite risk; systemic pain, cramping and other effects can occur
Temperature
20–26°C
Moisture / humidity
Mostly dry surface with access to water and a modest moisture gradient; avoid stagnant wet substrate
CITES
Not CITES-listed

The first thing to check

Look at the whole situation before worrying about a missed meal from Pterinochilus murinus. Check whether the abdomen is already well filled, whether the spider is hiding more and whether a moult may be approaching.

Make sure an Orange Baboon Tarantula has access to fresh water and that the enclosure is within the normal temperature range of 20–26°C.

Premoult fasting

Premoult is one of the most common reasons Orange Baboon Tarantulas stop eating. Heavier webbing, a closed retreat and changes to the exposed abdomen can support that explanation.

If Pterinochilus murinus appears to be in premoult, remove live prey and stop offering more until after the moult and hardening period.

After rehousing or disturbance

An recently moved Orange Baboon Tarantula may ignore food while it establishes a retreat. Give Pterinochilus murinus time to settle instead of treating the first refusal as a husbandry emergency.

With Pterinochilus murinus, repeatedly opening the enclosure, moving the hide or offering prey every day can prolong disturbance. Keep water available and try again later.

Adults and mature males

Adult Pterinochilus murinus often eat less frequently than fast-growing juveniles. Mature males may become more active around the enclosure and less interested in food after the ultimate moult.

Do not try to force-feed an Orange Baboon Tarantula. Offer suitable prey occasionally and remove it if the spider is not interested.

When to offer food again

After a normal refusal, wait before trying Pterinochilus murinus again. The exact interval depends on size and life stage, but there is no need to replace an ignored feeder immediately.

When an Orange Baboon Tarantula resumes normal activity after a moult or fasting period, start with a sensible meal rather than several feeders at once.

When to look beyond appetite

Food refusal in Pterinochilus murinus matters more when it appears alongside other problems such as obvious loss of body condition, difficulty moving or an enclosure issue that could limit access to water.

Appetite alone is a poor measure of health in Orange Baboon Tarantulas. Use the spider's overall condition, recent moults and normal behaviour to decide whether the fast is unusual for Pterinochilus murinus.