Interesting thing about "Baboon spiders"

[Sgt7212]

So I've been reading this forum long enough to know that common names should not be used and that it can lead to confusion.

However, a recent thread by another user about their "blue baboon" specimen kind of pushed me to look into this particular common name.

I had always wondered why the so called "baboon" tarantulas were not all in the same genus. Even knowing that common names are not used by knowledgeable keepers, it seemed odd to me that "baboons" are spread among several genus.

What I found was interesting to me and I was wondering if anyone here, with more knowledge than myself, could confirm if the explanation I found is true or if anyone has anything else to add.

The explanation I found was: "Baboon" is the term given to T's in Africa and they are referred to as tarantulas by the Americans (and I guess elsewhere in the world). The common name comes from the hairy appearance of the spider and from the pads of the spider's "feet” which resemble the color and texture of that of a baboon's finger, and has nothing to do with a particular species or genus.

So it seems that particular common name is merely geographically based. Whether that's it or there's more to add or not, I thought it was kind of interesting.

 

[Asgiliath]

Interesting. I always connected the temperaments of the two.

 

[Vanessa]

I had always been told it was because baboons dig them up and eat them... which was confirmed for me by a coworker who came from Zimbabwe. He said he had seen it personally and that baboons love eating them.

 

[vancwa]

I have read both reasons for the name. Regardless, Baboons are not our friends. Ever watch The Omen?

 

[Jesse607]

Years and years ago when I first got into the hobby, I remember reading somewhere (don't remember where exactly) that it was because of their similar (perceived) disposition.

 

[CommanderBacon]

I really like regionally/culturally inspired group names, like 'earth tigers" and "bird spiders" and stuff. Not that I use common names, but I like that they also give some clues about their appearance or observed behaviors by referencing other regional animals.

VERY FANCY!

 

[cold blood]

You hit it...baboon is simply a broad term for any African t...just like birdeater just means NW terrestrial that gets over 5". Its a comparitively meaningless term.

the term does come from the legs sticking out of burrows resembling baboon fingers.

 

[Jesse607]

At least all of these explanations make sense, not like how/why Guyanese call sweet basil "married man's pork".

 

[Royalty]

I always thought it was pretty strange as well. They do have slightly similar appearances (not much more than some NWs look to each other). I am actually quite a fan of them. Not really intentionally but when I was looking at different spiders I liked the appearances of, I ended up liking a lot of the "Baboons" before I realized they all shared a common name. The King Baboon looks quite a bit different tho.

 

[DomGom TheFather]

You are all right!
Baboons are my favorites but they are a class of common name.
We should start using common names alongside taxonomical names. As long as the common name becomes agreed on, it works great. Same thing.
Plus it is easy for anybody to remember "King baboon" or "great horned baboon" as apposed to their Latin pseudonyms. Use them as reference but I don't speak Latin.

 

[Royalty]

You are all right!
Baboons are my favorites but they are a class of common name.
We should start using common names alongside taxonomical names. As long as the common name becomes agreed on, it works great. Same thing.
Plus it is easy for anybody to remember "King baboon" or "great horned baboon" as apposed to their Latin pseudonyms. Use them as reference but I don't speak Latin.

The issue is that there is not often much agreed upon with common names. Just look up "potato bug" and you will see the regional differences. It is good to practice the latin names when you want to be specific.

 

[DomGom TheFather]

The issue is that there is not often much agreed upon with common names. Just look up "potato bug" and you will see the regional differences. It is good to practice the latin names when you want to be specific.

Oh, I know.
I get it.
But it is more than possible to do the same with common names. Everybody agreed on Latin. Ok. I label my enclosures with it. I text it in any read conversation when I am being specific. But if you ask me in person or if the species has been agreed upon, then I am going to use the word baboon every time.

 

[Royalty]

Oh, I know.
I get it.
But it is more than possible to do the same with common names. Everybody agreed on Latin. Ok. I label my enclosures with it. I text it in any read conversation when I am being specific. But if you ask me in person or if the species has been agreed upon, then I am going to use the word baboon every time.

The Latin names are not always agreed upon. Sometimes species are moved around or classified into a new genus. It is pretty cool at just how many species there are and how much they actually vary.

When I am speaking with my friends I sometimes do use the common names because it is easier for them to follow along. (Of course they also ask me if my spiders are venomous)

 

[DomGom TheFather]

The Latin names are not always agreed upon. Sometimes species are moved around or classified into a new genus. It is pretty cool at just how many species there are and how much they actually vary.

When I am speaking with my friends I sometimes do use the common names because it is easier for them to follow along. (Of course they also ask me if my spiders are venomous)

My friends stop following the moment I use Latin.
"BABOON" seems to keep their attention

 

[Thefiddlinkeeper]

Learn something new everyday thanks for starting this thread!!

 

[The Grym Reaper]

But it is more than possible to do the same with common names.

It's not though, people can't even agree on a single common name in one country, and other countries have different common names for those same species.

The scientific name is the same regardless of where you are from.

 

[DomGom TheFather]

It's not though, people can't even agree on a single common name in one country, and other countries have different common names for those same species.

The scientific name is the same regardless of where you are from.

And if a common name were used by everyone everywhere then it would be exactly the same. like I said, it would only be the same if it were agreed upon. I use Latin too but if you use it in a conversation when I already know what you are talking about I am going to assume that you are "one of those"
baboon!

 

[basin79]

And if a common name were used by everyone everywhere then it would be exactly the same. like I said, it would only be the same if it were agreed upon. I use Latin too but if you use it in a conversation when I already know what you are talking about I am going to assume that you are "one of those"
baboon!

I used to feel the same and be like you regarding scientific names. "What's wrong with just saying/typing Mexican red knee, posh get".

But there will NEVER be a worldwide agreement on common names. There just won't. There are too many variables and I'd even hazard a guess that many things would get lost in translation.

Brachypelma hamorii and smithi recently-ish swapped names. Now trying to get across that your B.hamorii is a Mexican red knee not a Mexican orange leg etcetera would be a nightmare.

If only scientific names were easier to say though..................

 

[DomGom TheFather]

When I say obt or green bottle blue or king baboon you know exactly what I mean. I put the little label on my enclosure that reads p. Muticus but I will never use that name when I know that you know the king.
Unless we are trading, buying or selling.

 

[ColeopteraC]

This is just another good reason to not use common names, they are vague, confusing and tell me nothing about the animal in question.

Sure they are confusing to beginners but so are the mechanics of an RC plane to beginners in that hobby. They will eventually learn. Common names just confuse and cause little good as evidenced by this.