Socotra Island blue baboon tarantula (Monocentropus balfouri)

Short answers

Socotra Island blue baboon tarantula: How big does the enclosure need to be?

30×30×30 cm (a single animal); considerably larger for a group with plenty of hides.

Socotra Island blue baboon tarantula: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–28 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Socotra Island blue baboon tarantula: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed (nocturnal).

Socotra Island blue baboon tarantula: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: females approx. 12–15 years, males approx. 3–4 years.

Socotra Island blue baboon tarantula: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–28 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

50–60 % (arid; keep it low, water bowl)

UVB

No UVB needed (nocturnal)

Enclosure

Minimum size

30×30×30 cm (a single animal); considerably larger for a group with plenty of hides

Substrate

A dry, diggable coco humus or soil mix, 8–12 cm, cork tubes; they web a lot

Feeding

Food

Insects (house crickets, roaches, crickets)

Feeding interval

adults approx. 1×/week, juveniles 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

11–13 cm leg span

Life expectancy

females approx. 12–15 years, males approx. 3–4 years

Origin

The island of Socotra (Yemen), an arid climate

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; no special registration duties

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Group housing possible - M. balfouri is one of the few tarantula species with documented communal behaviour in the wild: females jointly guard offspring, and several animals of different ages can live together peacefully if fed adequately. Solitary housing nonetheless remains safer, since cannibalism is still possible in this species under food shortage or stress; a group is only suitable for experienced keepers with a large, structure-rich enclosure.

Notes

An Old World species without urticating hairs, fast and with more potent venom – no handling. Keep it dry with a water bowl; bombardier hairs are absent (Old World). Known for intensive burrowing and its blue colour.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Socotra Island blue baboon tarantula (Monocentropus balfouri) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Amazon birdeater (Iridopelma hirsutum) – Intermediate
• Arizona blonde tarantula (Aphonopelma chalcodes) – Beginner
• Pinktoe tarantula (Avicularia avicularia) – Beginner
• Cobalt blue tarantula (Cyriopagopus lividus) – Expert
• Gooty sapphire ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria metallica) – Expert
• Peruvian blue tarantula (Thrixopelma cyaneolum) – Beginner
• Singapore blue tarantula (Omothymus violaceopes) – Expert
• Blue foot baboon tarantula (Idiothele mira) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Socotra Island blue baboon tarantula (Monocentropus balfouri) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (30×30×30 cm (a single animal); considerably larger for a group with plenty of hides), substrate (A dry, diggable coco humus or soil mix, 8–12 cm, cork tubes; they web a lot), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.