Tag: THERAPHOSIDAE

Baboon spider. So called due to their feet. They are known as tarantulas elsewhere in the world, though there is a distinction between African species and those found around the world, with our baboon spiders lacking urticating hairs (hairs on the abdomen that can be flicked off as a defense mechanism). They are large spiders with painful bites, though their venom is medically insignificant to humans.

THERAPHOSIDAE SPP.

THERAPHOSIDAE SPP.

by anikekirsten
Adult male Theraphosidae spp.

Taxon:

  • Class: Arachnida
  • Order: Araneae
  • Infra-Order: Mygalomorph (primitive spiders)
  • Family: Theraphosidae
  • Genus: Unknown
  • Species: Unknown

Female

Female characteristics unknown.

Male

Mature male, approximately 50mm body length, and around 100mm in leg span diagonally.

Cephalothorax:
Yellow and dark starburst pattern on carapace. Black round bulbs on tarsus of pedipalps. Stroke of shimmering yellowish setae on front of chelicera. Fovea slightly raised to a slight hump. Eyes grouped on top of carapace, centre anterior.

Abdomen:
Abdomen dark and covered with yellow setae. Noticeable spinnerets.

Legs:
Long legs with mating hooks on the tibia of the first leg pair. Legs dark with yellow hairs on femurs and prominent tarsal pads.

Adult Theraphosidae spp.

ABOUT THE GENUS

HARPACTIRA SP.

HARPACTIRA SP.

by anikekirsten
Adult male Harpactira sp.

Taxon:

  • Class: Arachnida
  • Order: Araneae
  • Infra-Order: Mygalomorph (primitive spiders)
  • Family: Theraphosidae
  • Genus: Harpactira
  • Species: Harpactira sp.

Female

Female characteristics unknown.

Male

Mature male, approximately 40mm body length, and around 60mm in leg span diagonally.

Cephalothorax:
Yellow and dark brown starburst pattern on carapace. Black round bulbs on tarsus of pedipalps. Stroke of shimmering yellowish setae down front of chelicera. Eyes grouped on top of carapace, centre anterior.

Abdomen:
Faint brownish markings across posterior end of abdomen. Abdomen covered with yellow setae and an almost bluish hue on the posterior. Noticeable spinnerets.

Legs:
Long legs with mating hooks on the tibia of the first leg pair. Legs bluish with yellow hairs on femurs.

Adult male Harpactira sp.

ABOUT THE GENUS

Harpactira is a genus of small to medium sized baboon spiders, predominantly found in South Africa. They are called “common baboon spiders” but this is a misnomer, really. Harpactira, like most baboon spiders, are burrowers. They are what’s called opportunistic burrowers, claiming a home where they can find it but also digging their own if none are available. They line their burrows with silk, like most mygalomorphs (primitive spiders) do.

Females tend to stay in the same burrow for as long as possible, even to the end of their lives. In this burrow she’ll mature, attract mates, make egg sacs, and stand guard over her young until they leave the burrow in search of their own. Males, however, will forsake the safety of their burrow in search of a female to mate with. This usually happens after it has rained and at night when most of their predators are away. Though I have spotted the males of this particular Harpactira sp. running around during the day.

Harpactira’s most identifiable feature is the presence of brush-like hairs, called scopulae, on the outside and the inside of their chelicera (“jaws”). This isn’t really easy to see without a camera that zooms in well, however. These fine hairs make it possible for the spider to make a hissing sound, called stridulating.