Togo Starburst Baboon
Heteroscodra maculata
The Togo Starburst Baboon is a West African arboreal (Togo, Ghana) wearing chalky white, grey and black camouflage in a starburst pattern — one of the most striking Old World tree spiders. Small, lightning-fast, and ranked among the most defensive arboreals in the hobby (second only to Stromatopelma by most keepers), it has medically significant venom and no urticating hairs. A sling starts near the ground and goes vertical as it matures, building heavily-webbed bark retreats. Advanced only, and a spectacular display animal.
- Temperature75–83°F (24–28°C) — warm West African room temperature with a slight night drop. No heat lamp needed in most homes; steady warmth suits it.
- HumidityModerate, 60–75%, with excellent ventilation. Keep a slightly damp base and a water dish; slings are prone to desiccation so don't let them dry out fully, but airflow matters as much as moisture. Overflow the dish rather than misting the fast adult.
- Adult sizeA medium-sized tarantula: adults reach 4.5–5 inches across the legs (diagonal leg span). A relatively fast grower — expect visible progress between molts when well fed.
- LifespanFemales roughly 10–12 years; mature males 2–3 years. Males mature quickly.
Enclosure
Tall arboreal, 12×12×18" for an adult, height over floor. Give a vertical cork slab and branches for climbing and web anchoring; it builds dense tubular retreats. A couple of inches of substrate at the base lets slings burrow early and holds humidity. Secure lid, excellent ventilation, and a front-opening design you can work without reaching over the animal.
Substrate & water
2–3 inches of coco fibre/peat with a little sand at the base — enough for the sling stage's mild burrowing and to hold humidity — beneath the vertical cork. Keep it lightly damp, not wet, with a water dish. The adult lives on the bark.
Feeding
An excellent, fast eater. Prey to abdomen size — crickets, roaches; slings every 2–3 days, adults one item weekly. It ambushes from the webbed retreat. Firm premolt fasts.
Temperament & defenses
Advanced only. Extremely fast, very defensive, medically significant venom, no urticating hairs, and genuinely willing to bite. Its camouflage means you must locate it before every maintenance. Never handle. Work with the animal visible, tongs ready, and rehouse with a deliberate catch-cup plan in an escape-proof space.
Keeper’s notes
A showpiece for the advanced arboreal keeper — that starburst camouflage against white silk is unmatched. We send it home only with experienced Old World keepers; the speed and defensiveness are real, and the venom is documented. Give it height, ventilation, a vertical retreat, and unwavering respect at the enclosure door.
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