Monocentropus balfouri Female (5.5cm)

Appearance and characteristics Monocentropus balfouri, known to hobbyists as Socotra Island Blue Baboon, is one of the most desirable species of Old World spiders. The females of this species present an extremely attractive coloration: their cephalothorax and abdomen are kept in shades of light beige and cream, which is a perfect contrast to the intense blue legs. At 5.5 cm in size, the spider is already very representative and has the fully developed colors of an adult. Behavior and venom This species, like most spiders from Africa and the surrounding islands, does not have scabbing hairs. It is a fast and defensive spider that rescues itself by fleeing to its burrow when threatened, but when pressed can assume a defensive posture. The spider's venom is considered stronger than that of New World species, so it requires attention during cleanup work. An amazing feature of M. balfouri is their tendency to live in groups (communally) - individuals from one cocoon often live in unison in one terrarium for their entire lives. Breeding conditions This spider inhabits the dry, semi-desert areas of the Socotra archipelago, which determines its terrarium requirements. It requires lower humidity (about 50-60%) and a well-ventilated tank. A mixture of peat and sand works best as a substrate, which should be kept dry (except for a bowl of water). Monocentropus balfouri is an outstanding builder - in a short period of time it can fill a terrarium with a dense, snow-white web, forming an intricate system of corridors. The optimal breeding temperature is 24-28°C.