📖 Care Guide Available: Read the Complete Togo Starburst Baboon Care Guide →
The Heteroscodra maculata, known as the Togo Starburst Baboon, is a stunning arboreal Old World species native to West Africa. It features a beautiful patterned abdomen with a starburst-like marking and a silvery-grey body that gives it an almost ghostly elegance. Fast, defensive, and completely unapologetic — this is a tarantula that demands respect and rewards experienced keepers with an incredibly dynamic display animal.
Unlike many Old World species, the Togo Starburst is arboreal, meaning it builds its retreat high up in the enclosure rather than burrowing. Watching one construct and inhabit its silken tube retreat is a genuinely fascinating experience.
Quick Stats:
- Type: Old World Arboreal
- Adult Size: 5–6 inches
- Care Level: Advanced
- Temperament: Fast, defensive, bold
- Venom: Old World — treat all bites seriously
- Urticating Hairs: No
Husbandry Tips: Tall arboreal enclosure with anchor points and cross-ventilation. Keep the enclosure on the drier side with a water dish. Temperatures of 75–85°F. This species is extremely fast — use extreme caution during maintenance.
A trophy species for advanced keepers. The Togo Starburst is not for the faint of heart — but the reward is one of the most impressive animals in the hobby.