Pterinochilus murinus BCF Tete

Pterinochilus murinus BCF, often called the Tete Orange Baboon Tarantula (or just Tete OBT by its fans), calls the Tete region of southern Mozambique home. This area is characterised by warm savannahs, dry shrubland and rocky patches, with plenty of burrows and hidey-holes to duck into when temperatures soar. These spiders make their homes among leaf litter, under rocks, or in natural crevices, where they can spin their signature thick webs for both protection and ambush hunting. Their environment is typically dry, with occasional seasonal rainfall, and this background shapes many of their hardy, no-nonsense care requirements in captivity.

Adult Tete OBTs reach about 12–15 cm diagonal leg span, with females typically getting a bit chunkier than their male counterparts. Males are more slender and leggier but don’t quite out-grow the females. Slings may seem teeny at first, but regular feeding soon brings out those infamous long legs. Their adult size makes them a striking display tarantula—especially when draped across a web-sheet like a hairy Halloween decoration.

Despite their terrestrial roots, P. murinus BCF have a penchant for burrowing and weaving elaborate silken fortresses, earning them a reputation as some of the hobby’s most enthusiastic web architects. In captivity, expect them to dig, line everything with web, and use every nook and cranny. You’ll spot them dashing between their burrow and fortress, especially if you have a torch handy at night. While mainly terrestrial, they sometimes climb on décor and will re-arrange their home with the zeal of a tiny, eight-legged interior designer.

As with many tarantulas, the girls are the marathon runners here: females can live between 10 and 15 years if well cared for. Males have a quicker turnaround—often maturing in just 2–4 years and living only a year or so post-maturity. It’s the classic story: the ladies linger while the lads dart through life in a flurry of molts and, ultimately, romantic ambitions.

P. murinus BCF are notoriously eager growers, especially compared to some other Old Worlds. With regular meals and warm temps, you might find your little sling becoming a leggy juvenile in no time. Growth can slow a bit as they near adulthood, or if temperatures drop, but overall, expect a brisk pace—just don’t blink, or you’ll miss a moult.

Let’s just say the Tete OBT has a 'big personality.' Defensive, quick, and often rather bold, these tarantulas are known for a hair-trigger threat pose and impressive speed. While rarely aggressive for no reason, they won’t hesitate to stand their ground if disturbed. Give space, use a catch cup for maintenance, and you’ll get along fine. Not the one for hands-on cuddles—admire from the safe side of the glass!

Keep these OBTs at 22–26°C for optimal comfort (right at home for most UK heating setups), with a drop to 20°C at night won’t bother them. Avoid letting things dip below 18°C for extended periods, particularly with slings. Heating is usually unnecessary unless your room is chilly—never use heat mats under your enclosure, as these burrowers might cook themselves trying to cool off! A small heat panel or room heater near the enclosure does the trick if needed.

P. murinus BCF are adapted to a dry-ish environment. Humidity around 50–60% suits them well, and they’ll actually sulk or refuse food if things get swampy. A standard water dish is a must—no matter how much they fill it with substrate and webbing! Spray only one corner lightly every couple of weeks, allowing the enclosure to dry between. Good airflow is important to avoid that telltale musty funk and discourages pesky mould. Overly damp substrate is a no-no for adults.

P. murinus BCF are surprisingly visible for a fossorial tarantula. They often loiter near the mouth of their burrow or perch atop their silken fortress, especially at dusk or after misting. While not 'out and about' all the time, their dense webbing and bold colours offer excellent display value—truly a focal point for any collection. Just expect the occasional two-week vanishing act during moulting.

Brace yourself—these spiders will redecorate with gusto! Expect thick, matted curtains of webbing all over the enclosure, sometimes transforming it into a spooky wonderland within days. They use webs for hiding, hunting, and alerting them to any vibrations. The sight of a classic OBT fortress is a joy for keepers who love to see their spiders’ engineering skills in action. Just don’t expect to see your water dish ever again.

Slings can start on pre-killed or chopped-up crickets, fruit flies, or micro-roaches every 4–5 days. Juveniles graduate to small crickets, mealworms, or dubia roaches twice weekly, while adults appreciate a hearty cricket or roach every 7–10 days. These tarantulas have an enthusiastic feeding response and rarely turn down a meal unless in premoult. Overfeeding can lead to overly bloated abdomens, so resist the temptation to fatten them up too quickly. Never leave live prey in overnight if the spider isn’t hungry, especially with slings—crickets can pester or harm a moulting tarantula. Remove uneaten prey after a few hours. Feed slightly less in cooler months, and always keep fresh water available, regardless of size.

Adults thrive in enclosures around 30cm x 30cm x 30cm—bigger enclosures are fine if well-secured! Use 10–15 cm of dry, compact substrate (coco fibre with a dash of topsoil works well) for digging. Sloping the substrate allows for easy burrow-starting. A cork bark hide, half log, or slab positioned at an angle gives your OBT an anchor for webbing and a starting point for a burrow channel. Provide a sturdy water dish and expect it to vanish under webbing immediately—keep it topped up anyway. Excellent ventilation is key; mesh lids or plenty of air holes prevent musty odours and keep humidity on track. Avoid cluttering with décor, lest you need a map to find your spider at cleaning time.

These feisty spiders are best suited to intermediate or advanced keepers, given their impressive speed, defensive nature, and lack of urticating hairs as an 'early warning system.' They’re forgiving of small husbandry hiccups but require confidence, planning, and quick reflexes. Not recommended for jumpy beginners or as a first Old World, but a firm favourite for keepers looking to level up.

P. murinus BCF is a classic for a reason—striking looks, outrageous webbing, hardy disposition, and a personality all their own. They’re not for the faint-hearted or those looking for a docile, handleable pet, but if you love watching truly wild behaviour and don’t mind a challenge, you’ll see why these spiders have earned their cult following. Their care is straightforward but requires respect for their speed and defensive tendencies. With the right set-up and sensible precautions, you’ll enjoy years with a spider that’s as entertaining as it is infamous. A centrepiece species for any serious collection—just don’t expect cuddles or complaint-free crickets!