Keeper guide

Orange Baboon Tarantula Temperature Guide — Pterinochilus murinus

A practical temperature range for Pterinochilus murinus, commonly known as the Orange Baboon Tarantula, is 20–26°C. Stable room conditions matter more than chasing tiny changes on the thermometer.

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

Working temperature range

Keep Pterinochilus murinus around 20–26°C. Use that as a practical captive range and avoid prolonged exposure to temperatures well outside it.

Orange Baboon Tarantulas do not need the enclosure to hit one exact number all day. Normal small room fluctuations are easier to manage than repeated heating and cooling adjustments.

Measure the shelf, not just the room

Check the temperature where the Pterinochilus murinus enclosure actually sits. Shelves near windows, radiators, computers or external walls can differ from the centre of the room.

A thermometer placed near the enclosure gives more useful information for an Orange Baboon Tarantula than a reading taken across the room.

Avoid direct heat on the enclosure

Do not attach a heat mat directly to a Pterinochilus murinus enclosure. Small containers can develop concentrated hot areas that are much warmer than the surrounding room.

If the room is genuinely too cold for Orange Baboon Tarantulas, warm the room instead and check the temperature at enclosure level. That gives a more even and controllable result.

Summer heat

During hot weather, keep Pterinochilus murinus out of direct sunlight and watch rooms that heat up during the afternoon. A closed window area can become much warmer than expected.

Do not respond to a warm day by soaking the Orange Baboon Tarantula enclosure. Temperature and substrate moisture are separate husbandry issues.

Winter conditions

In winter, check the coldest part of the day where Pterinochilus murinus is kept. Rooms can cool overnight even when daytime readings look comfortable.

If room heating is used, remember that it may also dry Orange Baboon Tarantulas enclosures faster. Adjust watering to the actual drying rate rather than assuming winter always means wetter substrate.

Use behaviour as context

Temperature readings for Pterinochilus murinus should be considered alongside normal feeding, retreat use and moulting. One slightly different reading is less useful than a consistent pattern over time.

If an Orange Baboon Tarantula suddenly changes behaviour, check temperature along with water, moisture and recent disturbance instead of assuming temperature is the only cause.