breeding

[Chris Sainsbury]

I have never heard of a gravid female staying so for more than a few months.

This I truely believe depends on species. Where as for T.blondi anything past 3 months from mating to eggsac production I would not hold any hope for a fertile sac,but I can not say the same for others. For example I have had a N.chromatus go almost 7 months from last mating to eggsac production yet the sac was still a good one. Intresting maybe also, is that the time with this same breeding from last moult to mating was 5 months. This kind of stuff makes me wonder somtimes if some tarantulas have a cycle every year or every two years?
Any thoughts?
Cheers
Chris

[Nicola Dolby]

Hi Chris,
I'm afraid the height of my knowledge in this area is Baerg's Aphonopelma studies in his book. However if spiders are laying sacs 7 months after mating it does bring into question whether a yearly cycle is possible, given the seasons in their natural environment. I've heard it suggested that some species moult every other year elsewhere as well, this seems to make most sense. However it is also apparent that some other factors are ingrained habits with some species and I don't know whether this effects the breeding cycle. For example the fasting in some Grammostola species and the hibernating of many Australian species even in captivity. I'm afraid all I have are ideas which end up as more questions!
Thanks for the help Chris.