SOCOTRA ISLAND BLUE BABOON TARANTULA

Quick Care Guide

Scientific Name: Monocentropus balfouri
Adult Size: 12–15 cm leg span
Lifespan: Females 10–15+ years; males considerably shorter
Activity: Mainly terrestrial, but an excellent webber

📏 Size

• Adult leg span: approximately 12–15 cm.
• Spiderlings require a much smaller, secure enclosure.

🏠 Housing

• Adult enclosure: approximately 30 × 30 × 30 cm.
• Use 8–15 cm of firm, well-packed substrate such as coco fibre/soil mix.
• Provide cork bark, hides and objects it can web around.
• A secure, well-ventilated lid is essential.
• This species is an enthusiastic webber and may heavily web its enclosure.

🌡️ Temperature

• Aim for 22–26°C.
• A small nighttime drop is acceptable.
• Avoid prolonged temperatures above 28°C.

💡 Lighting

• No UVB is required.
• Keep the enclosure away from strong direct sunlight.
• A normal day/night room-light cycle is sufficient.

💧 Humidity

• Aim for approximately 60–70%.
• Keep part of the substrate slightly moist while allowing other areas to remain drier.
• Good ventilation is important to prevent stagnant, overly damp conditions.

🍽️ Food

• Feed appropriately sized live insects, such as crickets, locusts and roaches.
• Adults generally eat around 1–2 suitable prey items every 1–2 weeks, although appetite varies.
• Remove uneaten prey, particularly if the tarantula is preparing to moult.
• Always provide access to fresh water.

💧 Water

• Provide a shallow water dish at all times.
• Refill with fresh, dechlorinated water regularly.
• The water dish should be sturdy enough that it cannot easily be tipped over.

🕸️ Shedding

• Appetite may decrease or stop before a moult.
• The tarantula may become less active and spend more time inside its webbing.
• Never disturb, handle or offer live prey to a tarantula that is moulting.
• Leave the moulted skin in place until the spider has hardened and is active again.

🤲 Handling

• Not recommended.
• This species can be defensive and is extremely fast.
• It may bite if threatened and should be treated as a display animal.
• Use a catch cup and soft tools for necessary transfers or maintenance.

❤️ Health

• Healthy specimens should have a good body condition and respond normally to movement.
• Common problems include dehydration, poor moults, injury and inappropriate temperature/humidity.
• Urticating hairs are not the main defence of this species, but it can bite and should still be handled with caution.
• If the tarantula remains unusually weak, collapsed or unable to use its legs normally, seek specialist veterinary advice.

🧹 Cleaning

• Remove uneaten prey and obvious waste when accessible.
• Avoid destroying established webbing unnecessarily.
• Replace heavily soiled substrate as required rather than routinely stripping the entire enclosure.
• Always provide good ventilation and clean water.

✅ Before You Bring Your Animal Home

☐ Secure, escape-proof enclosure ready
☐ Suitable substrate and hiding places installed
☐ Temperature checked with a reliable thermometer
☐ Shallow water dish provided
☐ Appropriate live food available
☐ Safe, well-ventilated location away from direct sunlight

⚠️ Important Bits

• Fast and defensive species — not suitable for handling.
• Monocentropus balfouri is famous for producing extensive webbing.
• Give the tarantula plenty of anchor points for web construction.
• Keep prey appropriately sized and remove uneaten insects.
• Never disturb a tarantula during a moult.
• Always wash your hands after working in the enclosure.
• Keep the enclosure securely closed at all times.