Environmental Caution:

When a damp environment has too little air circulation, this can lead to an anaerobic environment. Where the typical aerobic bacteria helps keep certain types of waste from building up, they are instead replaced by anaerobic bacteria whose waste is more likely to be toxic and harmful. This is often accompanied by a strong swampy smell.

To guard against anaerobic environments, it is important to monitor and control moisture in the environment as well as air quality. One way to maximize both is to have plentiful live plants as the byproduct of photosynthesis is oxygen and water. Springtails can help keep the substrate aerated and break down waste so that the beneficial bacteria can more easily turn it into plant food.

Defining Characteristics:

• This spider is a rusty red with dark brown femurs
• Hysterocrates laticeps are known to become defensive quickly
• This species makes extensive tunnel systems

Name: Hysterocrates laticeps is commonly known as the Nigerian Rust Leg Tarantula. The species of it’s scientific name means “Broad head”.

Recommended Enclosure Size & Setup: Hysterocrates laticeps is a fossorial species, meaning this animal will spend a lot of time underground and may need additional substrate to burrow. Surface area of the enclosure should be no less than two times the spider's diagonal leg span in one direction and three times the diagonal leg span in the other. The enclosure should be tall enough to accommodate 2-3 inches of substrate for slings and 5+ inches for adults. We recommend against allowing your fossorial spider more than two times their diagonal leg span as head space above their substrate as a fall from any higher could result in serious injury. ABG mix, coco cradle, or Dig-It are good substrate options, but our Pet Bug Team prefers ABG all the way!

Temperature (°F): This species thrives in the mid 70s to low 80s, so a temperature close to 80 degrees is ideal. Temperatures regularly dipping below 65 or spiking above 85° should be avoided. A thermometer is recommended to keep an eye on temperatures in the enclosure.

Humidity: These spiders thrive in a humid environment, so the recommended ambient humidity should stay between 60 and 75%. This can be achieved by making sure the substrate is always at least slightly moistened. Depending on your location, you may need tools such as a humidifier to achieve this environment.

The enclosure sides and décor should be spritzed at least lightly around twice a week to provide your animal droplets to drink from and keep humidity up. Do not spray your spider directly. A hygrometer is a great way to monitor the humidity for your animal and see any needed adjustments. 

Size: At the time of sale, this animal will be around 1.5 inches, measured across diagonal leg span . Females can grow to be up to 6 inches, and typically the males are a bit smaller. 

Age: Before making this species available to our customers, we ensure that they are well-established. This means our spiders are generally molted to a minimum of third instar and will have hatched two to three months prior to being listed for sale.

For spiders that we have not produced in house, we like to get 2 to 3 solid feedings in as well as the aforementioned minimums. They go through a 2-week minimum quarantine process to ensure the health of the animal. 

These individuals are probably around 2 years old. For this species, the average lifespan is 4-6 years in males, and 10-15  years in females when provided the adequate environment. 

Feeding: These spiders are currently eating 3 to 6 - 1/2 inch crickets weekly. There are a variety of appropriate prey items that you can offer, such as roaches, waxworms, black soldier fly larvae, hornworms, and silkworms.

We recommend that the prey items not be much longer than the tarantula's “head” is wide. Larvae are an exception, because our larvae are harmless. They are very high in fat, though, so not the best staple diet. They are, however, a great weight gain supplement.

Consider feeding your prey items with our gutload formula to give your pet well rounded nutrition.

Sexing: Due to age, Hysterocrates laticeps sold by Josh’s Frogs are sold as unsexed. Check out our individually listed animals to see if we have what you’re looking for!

Color/Pattern: Hysterocrates laticeps is a large, shaggy, Rust Red Tarantula with dark femurs (the first long leg segment coming out from their cephalothorax).                                                                                         

Social Behavior: Hysterocrates laticeps have been kept communally in the past, but communal habitats have to be done just right to be successful. Even when everything is done correctly, it can still go badly. It is safer to keep this species separately.

This species is an environmental engineer. They lay a lot of webbing and use it to fashion a network of tunnels under the substrate. This is a surly spider that is quick to react defensively.

Natural Range: Hysterocrates laticeps can be found in Cameroon, Nigeria.

History in the Hobby: Hysterocrates laticeps has been in the hobby for decades but is still somewhat uncommonly available.