Why are baboon tarantulas called baboons?

[milky]

Does anybody know?

 

[fyic]

I have seen this on a few sites ....not sure if it's true or not

Why are they known as Baboon Spiders? Well, one suggestion is that Baboons consider these large spiders to be a tasty treat and eat them eagerly (as both these spiders and Baboons are found in the same regions of Africa), others suggest that its the colouring (similar to a Baboon)

 

[EulersK]

<sarcasm>
I always thought it was because of their excessively large bottoms and tendency to throw poo.
</sarcasm>

 

[fyic]

Also read that people thought their legs resembled a baboon's fingers........again this is all just hear say

 

[Poec54]

Also read that people thought their legs resembled a baboon's fingers

That's what I've heard too, and it seems accurate.

 

[Ceratogyrus]

Also read that people thought their legs resembled a baboon's fingers........again this is all just hear say

Think its a mixture of this and their hairy look.

 

[Blut und ehre]

This what I understood to be the "story" as well!

Also read that people thought their legs resembled a baboon's fingers........again this is all just hear say

 

[LordWaffle]

I'd never even given it thought. I just figured it had something to do with Africa and ther proximity to baboons and people who are familiar with them. Nice to kind of sort of have an answer.

 

[Shrike]

Does anybody know?

Many years ago, whilst in the wilds of Africa, a famous biologist observed the apparent adoption of a cuddly baby baboon by a strikingly beautiful orange tarantula. The biologist watched the tarantula as it professed its love to the baby baboon and proceeded to massage it tenderly with its pedipalps. As baby monkeys sometimes will, the baboon began to act naughty, whereupon the tarantula sank its fangs into its vulnerable, infant flesh. The biologist watched in horrified fascination as the baby baboon writhed in agony, finally succumbed to the terrible pain of the tarantula's venom, and slowly morphed into a gigantic, smelly food bolus. The biologist named the newly described species P. murinus, and thus, the terrible legacy of the baboon spider was born. Now a staple in the hobby, baboon spiders can present problems to would-be keepers in that they possess seemingly incompatible traits...the strong maternal urge to adopt baby monkeys, and a really, really crappy temper.

I know that sounds unpleasant, but it's science.

On second thought, there might be some more credible explanations earlier in the thread

 

[MarkmD]

Same as Shrike, That's pretty much the same story I was told, when asked about the baboon story (how the name came about), basicly they are an unforgiving species that will pray among many animals that came thair way, sometimes friendly to get a meal other times stalking for pray, Dont know for sure.

 

[Tongue Flicker]

A baboon T's abdomen is marked to look somewhat like a baboon's face or a baboon's butt

 

[macbaffo]

Many years ago, whilst in the wilds of Africa, a famous biologist observed the apparent adoption of a cuddly baby baboon by a strikingly beautiful orange tarantula. The biologist watched the tarantula as it professed its love to the baby baboon and proceeded to massage it lovingly with its pedipalps. As baby monkeys sometimes will, the baboon began to act naughty, whereupon the tarantula sank its fangs into its tender flesh. The biologist watched in horrified fascination as the baby baboon writhed in agony, finally succumbed to the agonizing pain of the tarantula's venom, and slowly morphed into a gigantic, smelly food bolus. The biologist named the newly described species P. murinus, and thus, the terrible legacy of the baboon spider was born. Now a staple in the hobby, baboon spiders can present problems to would-be keepers in that they possess seemingly incompatible traits...the strong maternal urge to adopt baby monkeys, and a really, really crappy temper.

I know that sounds unpleasant, but it's science.

On second thought, there might be some more credible explanations earlier in the thread

Definitely i will stick with this explanation

 

[SuzukiSwift]

I agree this is scientifically accurate, on every single level

 

[catfishrod69]

How can you tell them apart?

A baboon's face or a baboon's butt

 

[Blut und ehre]

Not the rare "Butt-faced baboon" tarantula. hahah

How can you tell them apart?

 

[LordWaffle]

If there were a butt-faced baboon tarantula I would have nothing in my collection but that.

 

[Blut und ehre]

HAHAHAHAHAH !!! Interesting!!

If there were a butt-faced baboon tarantula I would have nothing in my collection but that.

 

[telepatella]

Many years ago, whilst in the wilds of Africa, a famous biologist observed the apparent adoption of a cuddly baby baboon by a strikingly beautiful orange tarantula. The biologist watched the tarantula as it professed its love to the baby baboon and proceeded to massage it tenderly with its pedipalps. As baby monkeys sometimes will, the baboon began to act naughty, whereupon the tarantula sank its fangs into its vulnerable, infant flesh. The biologist watched in horrified fascination as the baby baboon writhed in agony, finally succumbed to the terrible pain of the tarantula's venom, and slowly morphed into a gigantic, smelly food bolus. The biologist named the newly described species P. murinus, and thus, the terrible legacy of the baboon spider was born. Now a staple in the hobby, baboon spiders can present problems to would-be keepers in that they possess seemingly incompatible traits...the strong maternal urge to adopt baby monkeys, and a really, really crappy temper.

I know that sounds unpleasant, but it's science.

I like it a lot

 

[Tongue Flicker]

How can you tell them apart?

The face has a nose, the butt has the tail but both have weird cheeks and furry sides haha

Not the rare "Butt-faced baboon" tarantula. hahah

If there were a butt-faced baboon tarantula I would have nothing in my collection but that.

Seconded haha