Gabon Blue Dwarf (H gabonensis)

Heterothele gabonensis, also known as the Gabon blue dwarf baboon tarantula is a species of tarantula found in Gabon. It was first described by Pierre Hippolyte Lucas in 1858, under the name Mygale gabonensis. They are semi arboreal tarantulas, that web quite a lot. They have also showed some communal tendencies in the form of tolerance for one another over an extended period of time. With females living up to 7 years, while males only live up to 2 years. Under certain light it may look dark blue, with golden colored segments. Their opisthosoma is golden, with a lot of black striping, forming an intricate pattern. They are usually found in the open forest of Lope National Park, Gabon, especially in the Uapaca trees, there they can be found in high numbers, living in close proximity to one another. 



TYPE
Terrestrial

SCIENTIFIC NAME
Heterothele gabonensis

ORIGIN
Lope National Park, Gabon

HABITAT
Sling- Sling box or 8oz deli cup
Juvenile - 12x8x8 enclosure or 2 ½ gallon or 5 gallon tank
Sub-Adult/Adult - 5 to 10 gallon tank
Provide them with a cork bark hide, water dish, a little sphagnum moss (optional) and straight coco fiber. However a substrate like jungle mix or creature soil which is mainly peat moss, a little soil and a small amount of sand. Coco fiber works very well and is the least expensive.

DIET
Roaches, crickets and superworms is our recommended foods. However, mealworms, are also acceptable.

TEMPERATURE
75-82F, heating generally isn’t a concern with this species.

HUMIDITY
60%-70%, slings should stay on lightly moist substrate, adults should have a water dish and a corner of their enclosure that goes through a wet/dry cycle, moistening the substrate and then leaving it alone until it dries out.

ADULT SIZE
Adults can reach up to 2-3" diagonal leg span.

LIFESPAN
7 Years (Males 2 years, with females drastically outliving them at 7+ years)

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
We do not recommend keeping tarantulas as they will cannibalize each other. Its best to keep tarantulas in individual enclosures.