maturity question

[Rebecca Burrett]

i hope this is a silly question and i understand that each t is different but what age does a t normally mature?

[CJ_GRISDALE]

depends on gender and species, some can mature as quick as 2 years where as others can take 3-5 years

[Howard Farley (Huk7)]

To be honest CJ, I think that you could widen this further.

Ray G has had a P.regalis male mature at around 9 months from sling to adult and on the other hand there are species like A.chalcodes and C.crawshayi that can be as long as 7-8 years for a mature female!

I had a regalis male mature at the 11 month stage but sure I could have got it there sooner had I so wished.

Rebecca, it really does depend greatly on not only the species in question, but also individual spider, humidity, temp and food availability.

[Nicola Dolby]

maturity

Just out of curiosity, how do you tell if a female tarantula has matured? With males you can check for tibial spurs or check the end of their pedipalps for embolus. Apart from size and age though, how else can you tell if you've got a mature female. Checking the moulted skin will confirm gender, but maturity?

[Simon Batten]

im not entirely sure but reading on different forums when people ask if their female has matured usually people ask what species it is and how big she is for example a 5inch female G.Rosea will be mature, theres almost certainly a better method though

[Nicola Dolby]

females

Thanks Simon.
In that case do you know anyone will a male Avic metallica for sale?

[sarah Smith]

You can tell her maturity based on how well her female bits not a scientific discription I know but cant remeber the word or spelling of the bits I mean that come off in a moult have matured.

[Mark Pennell]

You can tell her maturity based on how well her female bits not a scientific discription I know but cant remeber the word or spelling of the bits I mean that come off in a moult have matured.

Sarah
Well yes you can, according to *Hancock the height of the Uternus externus in relation to the spermathecae is a good guide to maturity, but even this may have its pitfalls as different genus’s have different shaped spermathecae and the uternus externus is often transparent.

Spermathecae also can be small and some are large and prominant like Brachypelma smithi and of course some have no spermathecae at all. So if you don't know what your looking for its going to be a close call.

You would be quite surprised just how young looking a female tarantula can seem yet, be mated and go on to produce a viable egg sac. I have had some of my best results from female B,smithi with females around 4-5 inches.

Regards
Mark

*REFS: Sex Determination of Immature Theraphosid spiders from their Cast Skins by John and Kathleen Hancock.

[Simon Batten]

Thanks Simon.
In that case do you know anyone will a male Avic metallica for sale?

someone might have one for a loan if yiu put the word out, would have to spend alot though on one if you wanted to buy one

[Rebecca Burrett]

ive recently bred p. Murinus but have more t's that i would like to try and breed. here is the list would they be ok to start thinking about finding males and breeding?
P. Lugardi 4-5in roughly 5yrs old
C. Facsiatum 4-6in 5yrs old
A. Seemanni 5-6in 5yrs old

[Howard Farley (Huk7)]

Easily, go for it and good luck!!

[Nicola Dolby]

breeding

I agree. At that age you should be getting egg sacs by now. Also Simon, I meant Avicularia metallica not Poecilotheria, sorry I should have made that clearer. Shouldn't cost that much for one.

[Mikhail F. Bagaturov]

P. Lugardi 4-5in roughly 5yrs old - is most possibly a "retiree" nowadays...
and the C. Facsiatum 4-6in 5yrs old is a close to that age too.
So You have to find a mate for em urgently!

[Rebecca Burrett]

P. Lugardi 4-5in roughly 5yrs old - is most possibly a "retiree" nowadays...
and the C. Facsiatum 4-6in 5yrs old is a close to that age too.
So You have to find a mate for em urgently!

why do people put t's into "retirment" when they can live for approx {i say 20yrs as we've got a 20yr old chilean rose}

[Mikhail F. Bagaturov]

He... Rebecca...
Aphonopelmas and Brachypelmas as well as Grammostolas can.. but not the species I was commented on.