Ceratogyrus darlingi (commonly called African Rear-horned Baboon, Burst Horned Baboon and Straight Horn Tarantula) is a theraphosid spider from southern Africa, mainly Botswana and Lesotho. They reach a body length of about 5 inches and are ash-gray, mud-brown to black. The peltidium features a black foveal horn.
C. darlingi, often still known under its obsolete name C. bechuanicus, is the most common Ceratogyrus species held in captivity, although it is rather aggressive and fast. When kept in captivity, it requires dry substrate, such as coconut fiber, on which to live. This allows it to burrow, and also will allow it to avoid fungal infection. They are obligatory burrowers. As this species is from a very arid habitat, it cannot cope with too much moisture.
They will readily take crickets, roaches and superworms but tend to shy away from large prey items. Food is usually pulled in and eaten inside the burrow. Molting also occurs inside the burrow.
Pairs will breed readily and quickly. Females could live an approximate 10 to 12 years in captivity.
- Platnick, Norman I. (2009): The world spider catalog, version 9.5. American Museum of Natural History.
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