We all know that our tarantulas needs to molt in order to increase in size and ofcourse mature, but I want to know, how much does a tarantula really grow before actually molting?
I was studing the photos last night of one of my tarantulas and noticed that she/he seem to have gotten bigger inbetween molts, and after a molt she really increased in size, and we also know the bigger they are the longer it takes them to molt.

:eyepoke:

Difficult to answer how big it really increases, but with regards to growth rate of a spider,
The key factors rely on the eating patterns, does the little guy eat like a demon, or does
it stick to its own mens health diet. Also another factor is if the spider is a male or female as
the males tend to grow alot quicker.

Humidity and temp is something to look at, if the conditions are perfect for the spider, they
tend to grow alot quicker. Normally hotter, humid temps make the little champ grow, ( which
helps with the eating habits anyway)

Change in diet also helps the grow rate, dont know why. But A mixture of feeders like roaches,
crickets, meal worms, fruit flies are all options, but i personally like to look after my feeders,
fresh oranges, carrots, malberries, and so on( fresh fruit and water.)

Lokk after your 8 legged demon and the growth will occur quicker than you can imagen.


Hope that helps? :thumbsup:

@Dave: Very interesting that you mention males growing quicker than females. Would that be fact? Had a conversation with a fellow member a while ago and if I recall even posted on the forum. No one could truly say whether or not that is a factor. If it is fact, is it for all genu?

I have noticed that my P metallica from the same sac almost molted a month apart (to 4th instar). The conditions and food was exactly the same. Would that mean that the one would be female and the other male?

Sorry for Hijacking your thread Lindi.

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Not necessarily, but anyone that has kept Ts long enough would of picked up on this trait.

Each spider is different, but honestly i do fell males tend to grow quicker.

I remember clear as day light, ill post a link to the video if i can find it, but robc had a communal
of regalis with 3 sub adults, same conditions, same food supply. The communal was 2 females and one
male, but both females where alot smaller as the male and the male ended up eating one of the
females.

If I keep my males and females the same conditions, my males grow quicker.

Experiment with your Ts and tell me if you can pick up on this trait.

At the moment, i have a P. Fortis male growing alot quicker than his sister and the conditions are identical.
I secretely feed her more cause i want her to mature in time for him. :swaet:

@ Dave, thank you, I feed them once a week, they all eat well, I will look into this more and do some intensive research as it is little things like these that really fasinate me.

:thumbsup:

@ Uncle Charlie, no problem at all, I don't mind.

:thumbsup:

Okay let me throw one more question in here :evilgrin:

When does a tarantula go from sling to juvie, when does a juvie go to sub adult, and finally when does a sub adult go to mature adult?
:spider: :spider: :spider: :spider: