How to distinguish Hysterocrates hercules

[Nepenthe56]

Hi everyone. I've been reading about the largest tarantula species in Africa, and H. hercules was mentioned in passing. I haven't been able to find much info on it. So what's the deal with H. hercules? How do you tell it apart from other Hysterocrates? Is it really the largest species on Africa? Is it even real species? Any info is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[sasker]

I can't help you as I have never owned them and I have never done much research on the genus either. Apparently they like it a bit more moist than other African species (they can even swim), they are fast growing and big. Obviously you don't want to get bitten by one and it is not a good idea to have this as your first or second spider. I don't know if you have much experience keeping tarantulas. If not, don't tell anyone on the board that you have little experience and you want an advanced species.. It will likely just result in another useless attempt to convince someone to gain more experience with NW species first

Have you tried Google? You can also use the search bar of this website.

 

[Venom1080]

H. laticeps have all thin legs. gigas have thickened tibia, and crassipes have a entirely thick leg.

If it doesn't fit any of those, it may be a hybrid. If not, you might one of the most sought after spiders in the hobby.

Color is useless when determining species. They have color changes every molt it seems sometimes. Grey to black to brown to brown, etc. Although brown is most common.

@sasker it's common sense. Learn about the easy ones before the hard ones. Don't be illogical.

 

[sasker]

@Venom1080 You are absolutely right. My message was a bit vague. I just wanted to avoid another long, heated debate with someone with limited experience who insists on having an OW as his second spider while ignoring everyone's advice to not do it.

 

[Nightstalker47]

We can only speculate, but it's widely believed that this species was never properly introduced to the hobby.

I have a large female H.Hercules(supposedly), as well as a large female Hysterocrates sp.Cameroon.

They look quite different but doesn't necessarily mean my specimen is the real deal. The genus has been muddied up quite a bit. Here's an informative thread on the topic, only one true specimen was ever recovered and it is now preserved at the British Museum of Natural History.

http://arachnoboards.com/threads/the-real-hysterocrates-hercules.87810/

 

[Chris LXXIX]

To proper I.D genus Hysterocrates is something I admit I would not even enter in, a sort of Ercole (Hercules) struggle.

That genus here in Europe was 'Frankenstein' as hell during years

Still, amazing servants of the Goddess*

* 0.1 Pelinobius muticus PBUH (Peace Be Upon Her)

 

[Nepenthe56]

@Venom1080 You are absolutely right. My message was a bit vague. I just wanted to avoid another long, heated debate with someone with limited experience who insists on having an OW as his second spider while ignoring everyone's advice to not do it.

Rest assured, one doesn't need to be a prolific arachnoboards member to be an experienced tarantula keeper. My next spider will be my 43rd tarantula in a hobby spanning over 20 years. I specialize in OW species, especially Poecilotheria. I think I'll be fine. If it is anything like my H. gigas, it'll be a delight.

@Nightstalker47 and @Chris LXXIX I've read similar things, which is my motivation behind inquiring about it. There's one advertised for sale, but I'm skeptical of the veracity of that claim.

@Venom1080 Thank you for your input. That's the kind of info I was really looking for. I understand that Hysterocrates taxonomy is rather muddled and hard physical identifying characteristics are what I was searching for. As such, I guess I'll have to inquire to the seller as to how they know it's an H. hercules.

 

[Venom1080]

Rest assured, one doesn't need to be a prolific arachnoboards member to be an experienced tarantula keeper. My next spider will be my 43rd tarantula in a hobby spanning over 20 years. I specialize in OW species, especially Poecilotheria. I think I'll be fine. If it is anything like my H. gigas, it'll be a delight.

Nightstalker47 and Chris LXXIX I've read similar things, which is my motivation behind inquiring about it. There's one advertised for sale, but I'm skeptical of the veracity of that claim.

@Venom1080 Thank you for your input. That's the kind of info I was really looking for. I understand that Hysterocrates taxonomy is rather muddled and hard physical identifying characteristics are what I was searching for. As such, I guess I'll have to inquire to the seller as to how they know it's an H. hercules.

Nice to have more experienced hobbyists on the boards. Especially pokie lovers..

Also, you started at 6? And I thought I started young..
I imagine some sellers would try to pawn off other species as the famous Hercules for more sales.

 

[Nepenthe56]

Nice to have more experienced hobbyists on the boards. Especially pokie lovers..

Also, you started at 6? And I thought I started young..
I imagine some sellers would try to pawn off other species as the famous Hercules for more sales.

Yes, my mother bought my first tarantula for me when I was 6. I've pretty much always been fascinated by insects and arachnids. By that time I already was keeping a black widow as a pet, and my first tarantula was swiftly followed by and emperor scorpion and a hissing roach. My parents were very supportive in cultivating my interests.

 

[Venom1080]

Yes, my mother bought my first tarantula for me when I was 6. I've pretty much always been fascinated by insects and arachnids. By that time I already was keeping a black widow as a pet, and my first tarantula was swiftly followed by and emperor scorpion and a hissing roach. My parents were very supportive in cultivating my interests.

That's awesome. Just like my own parents. Got mine at 9.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

@Chris LXXIX I've read similar things, which is my motivation behind inquiring about it. There's one advertised for sale, but I'm skeptical of the veracity of that claim.

I spek for me only: genus Hysterocrates is a top notch messed up man

 

[Paul Osullivan]

Hi everyone. I've been reading about the largest tarantula species in Africa, and H. hercules was mentioned in passing. I haven't been able to find much info on it. So what's the deal with H. hercules? How do you tell it apart from other Hysterocrates? Is it really the largest species on Africa? Is it even real species? Any info is appreciated. Thanks!

Hey, I have posted some interesting findings towards the end of this chat and also a specimen in the Tarantula I.d section called "goliath baboon" thanks,

Species - Hysterocrates hercules

I purchased this male as a hyster. hercules years ago from a friend - alive back then. A lot of people say that all the hercules on price lists are in fact gigas. I have a mature male gigas as a comparison - not a very good pic. The gigas is smaller and has skinnier leg tips than the "hercules".

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