- Joined
- Feb 25, 2016
- Messages
- 1,217
I would have posted this in the breeding sub-forum, but I have insufficient privileges -- perhaps one of the mods will relocate this once there is an eggsac. As of this writing, my Euathlus sp. red pair have not yet mated, but I thought it could be beneficial to record what I try and their various encounters in case others may find this information useful.
First, my lovely pair:
male
female
I have their enclosures (medium-sized Exo Terra breeding boxes) right next to each other in the hopes that the pair can see and smell the other, getting used to the other's presence and hopefully in the mood for love.
First Meeting:
In retrospect, it was too soon as the female had not yet settled in and was acting fearful. Sure enough, when I let the male cross into the box, he touched her back (she was crouched in a corner), she was so startled, she leapt out of her enclosure onto my hand (I was hovering over in case there was any aggression). At least there were no injuries; I returned each tarantula to their enclosure.
Second Meeting:
The female has acclimated to her enclosure. While she has not dug a burrow, she walks about confidently and often sits on top of a piece of bark I added. As of last night, she had recently eaten several crickets and last night she was in an exploratory mood, even crawling onto my hand and up my arm (the male has done that before, but the female generally preferred not to be handled). Back in her enclosure, she was walking around the perimeter and paused directly across from the male, who was also next to the wall of his own enclosure. I removed the lids and had the enclosures abutting. The female was now closer to the center of her domain but still facing the male so she saw when I encouraged him to cross over into hers. Both were clearly aware of the other and he approached her carefully. They touched front legs and stood like this for a few moments and the male began quivering. The female did not move. The male moved forward then, presumably to take things further, but the female turned away. When he walked toward her again, she moved further away, more quickly, more decisively this time; she was not ready. I ushered the disappointed male back to his enclosure and closed the lids.
No mating yet, but I am happy there were still no signs of aggression and at least now I feel that they have had a proper first date!
First, my lovely pair:
male
Euathlus Sp Red male
- ErinM31
- 1
This is the gorgeous male I got from TarantulaSpiders.com
He's a laid back guy, doesn't mind...
He's a laid back guy, doesn't mind...
female
Euathlus Sp Red female
- ErinM31
- 4
Here's the female Euathlus sp red that I got from TarantulaSpiders.com
She's a bit more shy and...
She's a bit more shy and...
I have their enclosures (medium-sized Exo Terra breeding boxes) right next to each other in the hopes that the pair can see and smell the other, getting used to the other's presence and hopefully in the mood for love.
First Meeting:
In retrospect, it was too soon as the female had not yet settled in and was acting fearful. Sure enough, when I let the male cross into the box, he touched her back (she was crouched in a corner), she was so startled, she leapt out of her enclosure onto my hand (I was hovering over in case there was any aggression). At least there were no injuries; I returned each tarantula to their enclosure.
Second Meeting:
The female has acclimated to her enclosure. While she has not dug a burrow, she walks about confidently and often sits on top of a piece of bark I added. As of last night, she had recently eaten several crickets and last night she was in an exploratory mood, even crawling onto my hand and up my arm (the male has done that before, but the female generally preferred not to be handled). Back in her enclosure, she was walking around the perimeter and paused directly across from the male, who was also next to the wall of his own enclosure. I removed the lids and had the enclosures abutting. The female was now closer to the center of her domain but still facing the male so she saw when I encouraged him to cross over into hers. Both were clearly aware of the other and he approached her carefully. They touched front legs and stood like this for a few moments and the male began quivering. The female did not move. The male moved forward then, presumably to take things further, but the female turned away. When he walked toward her again, she moved further away, more quickly, more decisively this time; she was not ready. I ushered the disappointed male back to his enclosure and closed the lids.
No mating yet, but I am happy there were still no signs of aggression and at least now I feel that they have had a proper first date!
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