But what is that horn for? Well, no one seems to know for certain, but as is referenced below, Rick West suggested that the horn may give this spider a greater ability to eat quicker by increasing its ability to draw up liquefied food. It may also allow it to take in more nutrients and water.
Defining Characteristics:
- A tarantula, but also a unicorn, this species’ funny horn seems to be related to their muscle attachments
- One of the easier to keep Old Worlds, with one of the least venomous bites of an Old World species
- Great for intermediate keepers looking to cut their teeth with more temperamental species
- Interior decorators in their own right, this species will very quickly rearrange substrate and lay down thick layers of web
- This species, while less temperamental than other Old Worlds, is still recommended for at least intermediate keepers due to their defensive nature
Name: Ceratogyrus marshalli, or the Straight Horned Baboon tarantula. Ceratogyrus has Latin roots meaning “Horn” and “Curved”, probably referring to other members of the genus with less erect horns. Marshalli is a proper name, probably referring to a person with a history with the species.
Recommended Enclosure Size & Setup:Ceratogyrus marshalli is a terrestrial spider that likes to dig. The ideal enclosure size will provide at least 4 times the spider’s diagonal leg span for surface area branching out in any direction, and be deep enough to accommodate a fair bit of substrate—at least 2 inches for spiderlings, and at least 8 inches for adults. ABG mix, coco cradle, and Dig-It are all good substrate options for this species, but our Pet Bug Team prefers ABG all the way!
Never provide more than twice your spider’s diagonal leg span as headspace above the surface of the substrate, as falls from greater than this height can be catastrophic.
Temperature (°F): This species likes it on the warm side. Though it will still thrive around a room temperature of 72 degrees, they prefer it closer to 78-82°.
A thermometer is recommended to keep an eye on temperatures in the enclosure.
Humidity: Aim for around 65% They like their substrate bone dry, but as a water source you can either provide a tattoo ink cup or small shallow bottle cap as a water dish. Wet a small corner of substrate intermittently, or mist the sides of the enclosure twice a week so that the spider can drink the droplets.
A hygrometer is recommended to monitor humidity within the enclosure.
Size: At the time of sale Ceratogyrus marshalli sold by Josh’s Frogs are at least 1 inch. Females can achieve sizes of up to around a 5 inch diagonal leg span, males of this species mature significantly smaller, only attaining a diagonal leg span of 3-3.5 inches.
Age: Ceratogyrus marshalli sold by Josh’s Frogs are at least 2-3 months old. Females of this species can live 8-10 years, males topping out at 3-4 years.
Feeding: These spiders are currently eating two to three 1/4 inch crickets, once a week. There are a variety of appropriate prey items that you can offer, such as roaches, waxworms, black soldier fly larvae, hornworms, and silkworms. Consider feeding your prey items with our gutload formula to give your pet well-rounded nutrition.
We recommend that the prey items not be much longer than the tarantula's “head” is wide. Larvae are an exception—our larvae are harmless. Since they are very high in fat, they're not the best staple diet, however they make a great weight gain supplement.
Remove uneaten prey items after 24 hours, these may stress your animal out or endanger the spider during molting. Never attempt to feed a freshly molted tarantula less than a week after their molt to prevent injury to the spider. Depending on its age, the hardening process could take anywhere from 48 hours all the way up to a week.
Sexing: Due to age, Ceratogyrus marshalli spiderlings sold by Josh’s Frogs are sold as unsexed. Specimens of 2.5-3 inches will be able to start being accurately sexed. The most accurate method will always be molt sexing. The molt of a female tarantula, between the top set of book lungs will have a slit with spermatheca and a uterus externus, which on a smaller spider will just be a flap that moves when manipulated with a toothpick or a pin. A male tarantula will have a much more plain slit that will not budge with attempts to manipulate it.
Color/Pattern: As spiderlings they are a mid brown color. As they age, their color turns to a matte gray/brown color, mottled with black patterning on the abdomen, striping on the legs, and a black starburst on the carapace surrounding their signature horn.
Social Behavior: This species should be housed solitarily, any attempt at cohabitation will likely end with cannibalism.
Natural Range: Zimbabwe and Mozambique
Links of Interest:
- Arachnoboards: a community of spider enthusiasts that will be able to or have already answered almost any question you can think of with regards to tarantulas.
