Keeper guide

Why Is My Socotra Island Blue Baboon Not Eating? — Monocentropus balfouri

A Socotra Island Blue Baboon refusing food is often normal. Monocentropus balfouri may fast before a moult, after rehousing, at maturity or simply during a period of lower appetite.

At a glance

Quick facts

World
Old World
Origin
Socotra, Yemen
Lifestyle
Terrestrial
UK hobby rarity
Common
Maximum size
Up to about 17–18 cm (6.5–7 in)
Growth rate
Slow
Male lifespan
Around 3–4 years
Female lifespan
Around 12–14 years
Temperament
Fast and reclusive; often less reactive than many Old Worlds but still capable of strong defensive behaviour
Venom
Old World venom; bites can be painful and should be taken seriously
Temperature
20–25°C
Moisture / humidity
Dry-leaning setup with water available and a small moisture gradient; avoid permanently wet substrate
CITES
Not CITES-listed

The first thing to check

Look at the whole situation before worrying about a missed meal from Monocentropus balfouri. Check whether the abdomen is already well filled, whether the spider is hiding more and whether a moult may be approaching.

Make sure a Socotra Island Blue Baboon has access to fresh water and that the enclosure is within the normal temperature range of 20–25°C.

Premoult fasting

Premoult is one of the most common reasons Socotra Island Blue Baboons stop eating. Heavier webbing, a closed retreat and changes to the exposed abdomen can support that explanation.

If Monocentropus balfouri appears to be in premoult, remove live prey and stop offering more until after the moult and hardening period.

After rehousing or disturbance

A recently moved Socotra Island Blue Baboon may ignore food while it establishes a retreat. Give Monocentropus balfouri time to settle instead of treating the first refusal as a husbandry emergency.

With Monocentropus balfouri, repeatedly opening the enclosure, moving the hide or offering prey every day can prolong disturbance. Keep water available and try again later.

Adults and mature males

Adult Monocentropus balfouri often eat less frequently than fast-growing juveniles. Mature males may become more active around the enclosure and less interested in food after the ultimate moult.

Do not try to force-feed a Socotra Island Blue Baboon. Offer suitable prey occasionally and remove it if the spider is not interested.

When to offer food again

After a normal refusal, wait before trying Monocentropus balfouri again. The exact interval depends on size and life stage, but there is no need to replace an ignored feeder immediately.

When a Socotra Island Blue Baboon resumes normal activity after a moult or fasting period, start with a sensible meal rather than several feeders at once.

When to look beyond appetite

Food refusal in Monocentropus balfouri matters more when it appears alongside other problems such as obvious loss of body condition, difficulty moving or an enclosure issue that could limit access to water.

Appetite alone is a poor measure of health in Socotra Island Blue Baboons. Use the spider's overall condition, recent moults and normal behaviour to decide whether the fast is unusual for Monocentropus balfouri.