These large spiders are primitive spiders in the same group as Tarantulas. They get up to about 15 cm including the legs and are bulky and hairy. The males are often found on their search for females, who live in large silky burrows in the ground.
Full Name: Baboon Spider (Family Theraphosidae)
Other Names: Bobbejaanspinnekop
Classification: CAN INFLICT A PAINFUL BITE
These large spiders are primitive spiders in the same group as Tarantulas. They get up to about 15 cm including the legs and are bulky and hairy. The males are often found on their search for females, who live in large silky burrows in the ground. They are ferocious feeders and eat insects, small rodents, small reptiles and almost anything they can overpower. The fangs are large, often over a centimeter in length and bites are painful for a day or two but are not medically important. The Baboon spiders are generally docile but will lift their front legs into the air when disturbed or threatened and will not hesitate to bite at this stage.
