Harpactira pulchripes
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Mygalomorphae
Family: Theraphosidae
Genus: Harpactira
Species:
H. pulchripes
Binomial name
Harpactira pulchripes
Pocock, 1901

Harpactira pulchripes, also known as the golden blue-legged baboon spider, is a bright yellow-bodied and metallic blue-legged tarantula found in South Africa.[1] It was first described by Reginald Innes Pocock in 1901. It is a very highly desired tarantula in the European and American tarantula keeping hobby.[2] Its specific name pulchripes is derived from Latin "pulchri" meaning beautiful, and "pes" meaning feet, forming the name beautiful feet.

Description

Harpactira pulchripes has metallic blue legs. This blue color stretches from the tarsus all the way to the trochanter, where it changes to a vivid orange or yellow. Its carapace is orange or yellow with some black patterning which is the same with the opisthosoma. They are sexually dimorphic, as the males have longer legs and females have duller colors. Females reach a maximum diagonal leg span of 14 cm while males reach 10 cm. Females live to around 12 years, while males only live to 2 to 3 years. This spider has medically significant venom, though there is little information about its strength.[3][2]

Habitat

This tarantula is found in South Africa in Grahamstown, now known as Makhanda, where its mainly arid with average temperatures of 25 °C, an average yearly rainfall of 628 mm, and an average humidity of 77%,[4] with the average height above sea level being 580 m.

Behavior

This spider is a fossorial Old World tarantula. Though it is part of the Harpactirinae, known for being aggressive, this tarantula is the exception, having a noticeably more relaxed temper than other in its subfamily. They are incredibly fast, though this spider is skittish rather than defensive, which is odd considering their medically significant venom. In addition to their calm demeanor, they spend much of their time on display in their webs, making them great for a first tarantula pet.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Harpactira pulchripes". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  2. 1 2 cancerides (2015-09-14). "Harpactira pulchripes (Golden Blue Leg Baboon)". Tom's Big Spiders. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
  3. 1 2 "Golden Blue Leg Baboon Tarantula (Harpactira pulchripes) Care". The Tarantula Collective. Retrieved 2022-05-31.
  4. ↑ "Climate and average monthly weather in Makhanda (Eastern Cape), South Africa". World Weather & Climate Information. Retrieved 2022-05-31.


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