Socotra Island blue baboon spider

Its vivid blue colour is the striking feature of the adult, although red and amber forms have been seen very rarely.1

This tarantula is communal: mother spiders care for their young and will attack predators that get too close to their egg sac.1

In captivity, several males and females of different ages can live together without attacking one another, as long as they have enough food and proper care.1

Females live for about 10 to 14 years, while males tend to live for only about 3 to 4 years.1

Because it is an Old World tarantula, it does not have urticating hairs, the irritating hairs that some New World tarantulas flick at attackers.1