After over a year of waiting, finally a molt! (MM)

[varanus dwarfus]

Premolt:

This tarantula is the one that got me into the hobby. I bought him from a friend at about 0.75 around 5 years ago iirc. I was waiting for this last molt for well over a year and I'm a little disappointed. He was my first T so it would have been wonderful if he turned out female and I could keep him "forever." Sadly for Mr. Chaco, he came out bearing hooks on his latest (and I suppose last) molt.

So... where to go from here? I'm treading into territory I didn't see myself going into for quite a bit longer. If I can't keep him "forever" I'd like to try to get him a mate (or two). I found a local that has some (a reputable vendor on this forum whom all my t's have come from). Anything I should look for? Any advice/web pages you can give me on breeding? I will check the breeding reports subsection as a starter. I know a little bit about breeding already but not a whole lot.

Pictures will come in a bit. I shot quite a few in raw.

 

[pouchedrat]

I just recently sexed my first T (a chaco as well) as a male with his last molt, too.. he's nowhere near MM yet, but it was a bummer since he is my first T and a valentine's day present. So I understand ya there... I hope to find him a mate someday as well

 

[varanus dwarfus]

 

[varanus dwarfus]

I picked up a freshly molted female for him today! Hopefully I can give mating a try in a couple of weeks!

 

[VESPidA]

good luck! hopefully he can pass on those good looks

 

[TalonAWD]

How big is your boy?

 

[varanus dwarfus]

Hokie: Thanks, I hope so too. The girl I picked up is definitely pretty as well, perhaps maybe even a bit prettier than him!

Steve: I'm not sure how big he is right now, his molt is about 4.5" but it looks like he grew quite a bit. Since he's still fresh out of molt and I haven't seen him in an open relaxed state I can only guess, but he's certainly well over 5" (I'd guess he's 6"+/-0.25").

edit:

Here is a picture I took of the two of them last night. Sorry about the quality, I need new lighting in a bad kind of way (using a 25w halogen... yipes).