I found a interesting picture of a M. Balfouri but apparently its orange colour form.

Could those little reds slings from Scarabs slings turn into a Balfouri like this?

Dave wrote: I found a interesting picture of a M. Balfouri but apparently its orange colour form.

Could those little reds slings from Scarabs slings turn into a Balfouri like this?

Scarab and I have discussed it. From what I have read, most of the balfouri's that "turn" orange, turn blue/grey again after a few moults. Seems like a phase that they could go through. The orange one's were from eggcases from normal parents.

Hopefully its a new "form" and we can start a discussion about not breeding them with "normal" balfouri's.
And then sell them for meelions.

interresting....Scarab what's news in your communal tank ?

i've mated my two females here....( and P murinus rcf )

Some interesting observations as i followed this thread from the other one.

I have 4 x M,Balfouri at the moment and bought them for the reason of being a communal species primarily.

After getting them home i decided against this as i did not wish to take the risk, for as far as i can deduct from the web there is still a certain amount of canabilism.I am wondering what i will do when i want to introduce them together and how this is to be done if at all.

My thought at the moment is to breed them out and try making a commune from some of the babies.
They are about 5 cm atm and from the colorations at the moment seems to be 3 females and 1 male, though when they are so young its always possible a molt can prove differently. Would like some tips from other Balfouri keepers thanks

Hi Ohmie, let us dust off this thread...

Do you live in South Africa? It does not say in your profile.

Let us start at the start.

The info on the web is (mostly) wrong due to a lack of first hand experience by many. M balfouri do not eat each other (cannibalize). I know it was said, and I quote "there is NO such thing as a communal Tarantula" (Uncle Stanley Schultz). As I am the last to differ/argue with him, I do have the right to an opinion of my own, and in my experience, I have NEVER seen this happen. I do admit that I only started the communal rather recently, but all reports from others that did the same seem to agree. In the batch of ten slings I gave to the adult female to adopt, there is one or two runts, and even they are still in the group and are doing fine, even among their obviously stronger siblings.

Secondly, I would start the communal with the ones you have, but I do understand the financial risks. That again in my opinion, is the ONLY risk. I respect your apprehension, but I can assure you, they will not eat each other. I must presume they are from the same egg case? If so, just do it...

Then lastly, males and females of the species are exactly the same in coloration. There is no way you can even begin to guess at the sex based on outward appearance. Even adult males have the same colors, but can be distinguished by physical appearance. If you are going to keep them separately, sex them with an exuvium, else don't bother. If you have the koˈxones to put them in one enclosure, then you'll have to wait for the males to mature and start flirting with the girls.

For the record, I have witnessed two males seemingly aggressive towards each other in one enclosure, what I have NOT witnessed yet is what two mature females will do when they have contact with each other. I suspect a battle will ensue. This will be territorial and NOT to have a meal.

Hi Ohmie.

I have to second Fuzzy Bear here. I too was very skeptical at first. But after following this thread and a long discussion with Scarab I took the plunge. I got 5 slings from him and put them in a communal enclosure. This was roughly 10 months ago (Scarab?) and to date I've only lost 1. I don't know why he died, it had no signs of physical damage. It molted and curled up next to its molt. The others didn't even try to cannibalize the dead corpse.

Rule of thumb, when it comes to M. Balfouri, trust scarab!