C.Rose I'm a bit worried

[Neil Duggins]

She moulted last week New Years eve, And I took this photo this morning, Her fangs are still quite red, she doesn't want food either, Does this look ok ?




Do you think I need to turn the heat up or give her more humidity ?

[Mark Pennell]

Neil
Adult tarantulas can take quite a time to recover from a molt. She will not eat until she is fully hardened off. If the fangs are still red then they are still soft and she will not try to eat.

Give it another week before offering any more food items.

Regards
Mark

[Guy Tansley]

All the spider needs is time.
It's quite normal for the fangs to be red after moulting, they can take a week or two to harden up enough for the spider to take prey. Try feeding in another week os so.

[Neil Duggins]

cont

Thanks People, So next question is how long will these No4 crickets live for that I have bought today

[Uwe Neis]

Hi!

how long will these No4 crickets live for that I have bought today

I'd say ~10 weeks, in N4 they've done about half of their lifespan.
Differs depending on species, though.

Cheers,
Uwe

[Neil Duggins]

cont

What should I feed them (and don't say to the spider)

One more question if I buy an unsexed Blondi that is say 2 inch across how long will it live and how long before it is an adult ?

Thanks

Neil

[mary walters]

Hi Neil,
I feed the crickets with fish flakes.
We bought a blondi that was born in 2002, she has a leg span of about 8" and takes mice and birds bought in by the cats (dead of course), gerbils(frozen thawed). She is about to moult again and be bigger still, plus we hope to mate her soon after.
Mary

[Neil Duggins]

Hi Neil,
I feed the crickets with fish flakes.
We bought a blondi that was born in 2002, she has a leg span of about 8" and takes mice and birds bought in by the cats (dead of course), gerbils(frozen thawed). She is about to moult again and be bigger still, plus we hope to mate her soon after.
Mary

Just worried it might be male, How did you know its a female, 2002 is still quite young and how much did you pay for her ?

[Uwe Neis]

Re: cont

Hi!

One more question if I buy an unsexed Blondi that is say 2 inch across how long will it live and how long before it is an adult ?

There's many things influencing growth as for example temperature, amount of food offered, aso. Not too many studies on longevity, you might want to have a look at Rhys A. Brigida's article published via American Tarantula Society (.pdf).

In Theraphosa blondii should be ~ four years 'til adult. From what I've heard and read those guys can become up 20+ years old. If I remember correctly the oldest tarantula ever inhabited Frisco Zoo being 35 years old when she died (Brachypelma emilia).

Just worried it might be male, How did you know its a female, 2002 is still quite young and how much did you pay for her ?

You can examine the exuvium to find out the gender of your tarantula. Rick West offers an article written by Mark Hart on "The Proper Technique for Sexing Living Theraphosid Spiders".

Regards,
Uwe

[Neil Duggins]

Re: cont

Hi!

One more question if I buy an unsexed Blondi that is say 2 inch across how long will it live and how long before it is an adult ?

There's many things influencing growth as for example temperature, amount of food offered, aso. Not too many studies on longevity, you might want to have a look at Rhys A. Brigida's article published via American Tarantula Society (.pdf).

In Theraphosa blondii should be ~ four years 'til adult. From what I've heard and read those guys can become up 20+ years old. If I remember correctly the oldest tarantula ever inhabited Frisco Zoo being 35 years old when she died (Brachypelma emilia).

Just worried it might be male, How did you know its a female, 2002 is still quite young and how much did you pay for her ?

You can examine the exuvium to find out the gender of your tarantula. Rick West offers an article written by Mark Hart on "The Proper Technique for Sexing Living Theraphosid Spiders".

Regards,
Uwe

I haven't bought it yet and I don't have access to a moulted exo, So if they are 4 years to adult does it mean I could loose him if he is a HE after 4 years or so, obviously if he is a she then I have a long road ahead

[Uwe Neis]

Hi!

does it mean I could loose him if he is a HE after 4 years or so, obviously if he is a she then I have a long road ahead

If you do find a serious breeder he'll be able to sex your tarantula when it has got a body length of > 2.0 cm (although determination can be done in lower sizes as well). There's some of them around here @ the community boards and I'm sure you're gonna find'em. Best of luck for your new inhabitant

Cheers,
Uwe