Mating Q... Can males go all night?

[colin haris]

Hi All

Just a quick question if I may,
I was wondering whether a male tarantula could mate successfully with two different females before he needs to recharge via his sperm web?
For example: two females in quick succession.
I would guess the answer is, he would need to recharge after each pairing, but thought I would check with you guys to make sure?
Thank you.

Colin

[matthew spooner]

when breeding, i usually leave a day or two between each of the males sessions with the female, i am not sure whether or not you have to do this, i just do it so the poor little bugger aint too nackered lol

[colin haris]

when breeding, i usually leave a day or two between each of the males sessions with the female, i am not sure whether or not you have to do this, i just do it so the poor little bugger aint too nackered lol

lol matthew...not even if i feed him three shredded wheat?!

Colin

[matthew spooner]

maybe 4 and half a weetabix, lol

[Clinton Hogben]

lol matthew...not even if i feed him three shredded wheat?!

Colin

And a Viagra

[Nicola Dolby]

I have a male P. rufilata in a tank with a clan of females. Occasionally he singles one out and tries his luck but most of the time he just sits on the back wall looking confused!

[Peter Kirk]

Potentially, a male could mate with two females in succession. However, whether the mating is likely to be successful is another matter.

You are correct in thinking that he would normally have to "re-charge" his palps - but that is only assuming that he competely empties both of them during the first mating (I have seen males insert only one pedipalp during a successful mating - perhaps keeping the other in reserve in case he gets lucky on his way home!).

As has been said above, it is only fair to allow the poor chap to recover for a couple of days before introducing his to the second female. Something else to consider - you will be placing him in an artificially enclosed space where he is almost being "forced" to mate (I know - a terrrible job, but someone's got to do it) - whereas in his natural habitat he would have the "choice" as to whether to pursue a female or not (unless the desire to mate was so completely overwhelming that its in-built behaviour meant it will try and mate anyway) .

[Andrew Ferguson]

And a Viagra

Just like misery on the Christmas Day episode of Eastenders, we could see that one coming a mile off Clint !!! Tsk,Tsk........go to the back of the class.

[colin haris]

Thanks all for the advise.

I think I will give my guy a rest between his ladies...
besides im not wasting my viagra on him!

Colin

[Peter Kirk]

Be careful with that Viagara - I tried taking some once and it got stuck in my throat. Ended up with a stiff neck!!!

Sorry - very old joke I know.