Final moult

[Marko Sajovic]

I have a question that I don't remember seeing the answer...

I have like 10 spiders from the same sac. Most of them eat and moult at the same time. So, when some of them moult and become adult males and others moult and are not males, does that makes them females? Or can males become adult after different numbers of moults?

[Peter Roach]

errrrr . . . . .confused dot com !!!!

I think that I understand what you are asking.

From 1st instar to penultimate a male has a set number of moults. Females continue to moult until they die
I think this is usually 9 but this may vary depending on species. IE Pokies have 2-3 extra and balfouri have 3-4 extra moults.



EDIT... Found this article

In 1993 Marshall and Uetz reported that there are 9 instars for the males and 10 instars for the females in T. blondi. >>> http://www.lsaul.com/Tarantula%20cul...rachepelma.pdf

[Marko Sajovic]

Yes, that's what I meant. Sorry if I was a little confusing

So, if all the spiders moulted like 9 times, and some of them are males, the others must be females?

[Peter Roach]

So, if all the spiders moulted like 9 times, and some of them are males, the others must be females?

There is only one way to find out . . . . . . .

[Stanley A. Schultz]

Yes, that's what I meant. Sorry if I was a little confusing

So, if all the spiders moulted like 9 times, and some of them are males, the others must be females?

I'd be very careful about betting the grocery money it! I don't think most tarantulas can count that well.


Why is it that every time I make a firm statement about tarantulas, one of the little beggars proves me wrong? (Sheesh! I get no respect!)

[Marko Sajovic]

I'd be very careful about betting the grocery money it!

I won't. Actually it's not about money at all It is just something that crossed my mind, because I don't remember reading anything about that topic.

And here is a nice story about counting :
Small child of a friend of mine, just few years old, came home from kindergarden and said he drew a spider that day. Since he love my Ts, father asked him how many legs did he draw? And the answer was: 'All of them!'