Mike's Basic Tarantula

A Basic Site for the Tarantula enthusiast

Monocrentropus balfouri

Common name: Blue Baboon

Indigenous: Socotra, off the coast of Africa

Habitat: The climate for Socotra is a tropical desert climate and semi-desert climate with an annual temperature over 18°C (64°F). Yearly rainfall is light, but is fairly spread throughout the year. Generally the higher inland areas receive more rain than the coastal lowlands, due to orographic lift provided by the interior mountains

Temp/humidity: 76°-82°F (24.4°-27.8°C)/60-65% humidity

Enclosure: This is a opportunistic burrower. As a spiderling, I used a vial that would allow at least three inches (3") of substrate for burrowing. As sub-adult-adult I use a terrarium that will allow at least four inches of substrate

Substrate: Four inches of substrate. (I use a mixture of peat moss, vermiculite, coconut fiber and dirt for firmness, as the substrate).

Retreat/Hide: Place a bark for a starter burrow hide

Food Consumption: I first fed fruit flies, than when she reached 1/2" (1.27cm) I introduced baby crickets. Now I give my adult Blue Baboon (1) - inch B. dubia roaches or five (5) adult crickets weekly.  This species is a good eater.

Water Requirements: I keep a water dish in the tank. I have never seen mine drink. I keep the substrate in the terrarium dry. Every four months I wet one side of the substrate, than allow it to dry out.

Growth Rate: The growth rate of this species is medium. I purchased this tarantula as a spiderling of 1/2" (1.27cm) in size. After the first year she had grown to two inch (5.08). With constant feeding and with temperatures in the low 80's, it reached a size of four inches (10.16cm) within two years.

Adult Size: I read that they get five inches (12.7cm) leg length. My girls are five inches (12.7cm).

Temperament: For a Old World tarantula, the Blue Baboon has a forgiving nature. They are more likely to beat a retreat than confront its opponent as an adult, but spiderling and juveniles will stand their ground with a threat pose.

Comments: This tarantula is fairly new to the USA. It is a beautiful specie with blue legs from the tibia down, on a sand body. This tarantula will also build an extensive web tunnels in the enclosure. It is a sought after tarantula. This baboon is not shy, but will stay out in view during the day and is a very hardy species. They make excellent parents. This is a must have baboon.

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