Monocentropus Balfouri

Scientific Name: Monocentropus Balfouri
Common Name: Socotra island blue baboon
Lifestyle: Terrestrial
Endemic Location: Yemen
Adult Diagonal Leg Span (DLS): 7”
Growth Rate: Slow
Life Expectancy: Females 14 years / Males 4 years
Recommended Experience Level: Advanced

Monocentropus balfouri Pocock, 1897, also known as “Socotra island blue baboon”, is a very remarkable bird spider due to its coloration and behavior from Socotra-island, part of the Republic of Yemen. However she’s been linked with baboon spiders, she belongs to the subfamily of the Eumenophorinae and not the Harpactirinae. African bird spiders are commonly given the title of baboon spider, which explains why she carries the name. The species is very popular amongst hobbyists, because of their cuddly appearance and communal capabilities. In 2014 she was even voted the most beautiful bird spider on earth. More than 30 spiders have been described, but Atrophothele socotrana and Monocentropus balfouri are the only endemic species from Socotra belonging to the suborder of the Mygalomorphae. Variants in coloration, from red to amber, have been found in 1999 and 2003. However this is very exceptional, it’s the same species slowly transforming into a beauty with colours as seen on the photo