hi there guys and gals...
i was wondering if you can sex a T if you were not to have the molt and if so if this can be reliable?? i know some spiders u see it with body shape and markings and and but lets just use a 6 cm Brachypelma boehmei....
Will you be able to sex it without the molt????

No, the tarantulas old exuvium is the most accurate way to sex the T No ifs or buts, its the best and only accurate way. It is, however, possible to sex larger tarantulas about 10cm up by looking for the females epigastric furrow, coloration etc

SpiderPilot wrote: hi there guys and gals...
i was wondering if you can sex a T if you were not to have the molt and if so if this can be reliable?? i know some spiders u see it with body shape and markings and and but lets just use a 6 cm Brachypelma boehmei....
Will you be able to sex it without the molt????

Lets just say, Sexing without a moult is taking a shot in the dark, you could be dead on, or not...

You can indeed sex a T without a molt, you'll be 50% accurate

SpiderPilot wrote: ... i was wondering if you can sex a T if you were not to have the molt and if so if this can be reliable?? ...

Simple question. As with most other aspects of tarantulas, not so simple an answer.

Those of us with some experience can make a fairly good guess by examining the area around the forward book lungs. But you have to know what you're looking for, it helps a lot if you have several individuals to compare, and it helps a bunch if you are familiar with the species in question.

For instance, the female's epigynum will usually be relatively broad, slightly bulging, and lack the bulls eye of the epigastric fusillae. The male's epigynum will usually be relatively narrow, not bulging, and possess the bulls eye.

The probability of success is about 50% (pure chance) with babies and small spiderlings and increases with the tarantula's age and size. We can be about 85% to 90% correct with big, mature females.

Also, the probability of success depends on the experience of the enthusiast who's doing the sexing. Fifty percent for newbies (pure chance), 80% to 90% for grizzled old reprobates like me.

Using a molt is very, very accurate, but to be absolutely 100% sure, the tarantula either has to lay eggs (female), or possess emboli and bulbs on its pedipalps (mature male).

Enjoy your little 8-legged wonder, whether male, female, gay, transvestite...! (Oops I can't believe I said that! :blush: )