How old is old enough to breed?

[8Pat]

Hi all!
I have a beautifull female A. geniculata. She's a bit over 2 years old and 4 inches long (from cephalothorax to tip of abdomen). I was wondering if she should be ready to breed soon?
Thanks in advance!
8Pat

 

[Kevmaster06]

I dont really know but you might want to include legspan as well beause that is what most people are familiar with.

 

[Moltar]

A picture may help but if she really has a 4" body length i'd say she's sexually mature. Not adult size but capable of reproducing. Think "15 year old girl".

 

[8Pat]

Thanks to both of you!
I must confess I was at work when I first posted and gave size from memory. I just measured her and she really is more like 4 inches legspan. Maybe I should wait until after next molt?
Bye!
8Pat

 

[desertdweller]

It's pretty a judgment call. Individuals grow at different rates and mature likewise. It wouldn't hurt to wait but she could be ready now. To err on teh safe side, yeah you could wait. When was her last molt?

 

[Nich]

4" "body length" would make it over 7" legspan judging a genic that I once had. I would say its old enought @ around 6". If mated when sexually mature but still small relative to potential size, it is more risky due to the frequency of the molts. The timing has to be more precise as far as mating it and not having a molt occur before it drops the eggs.

 

[Moltar]

At about 4" legspan she may be a little young. If you have a male available you could sharktank him and see if the drum to each other. If she responds to him then you're probably good to go. I'm not an experienced breeder though so i'd definitely defer to the opinion of more experienced persons here.

 

[Becky]

She won't mate at 4"... the male will dwarf her! Male genics are huge. I'd give her another 2 moults at least! More like 6-7" before mating. Her carapace has to be bigger than the males as a general rule.

 

[Mina]

I agree with Becky, you want to make sure the female is at least close to the males size, and male genics can be pretty big.

 

[8Pat]

Ok!
I'll wait then. Thanks to all of you for taking time. I appreciate!
8Pat