P. formosa -- How big do they get??

[WYSIWYG]

Hiya,

Despite the subject line, I had looked at Kelly Swift's site and seen that they
get over 6 inches. I think mine is about that size, but it is nowhere near as
bulky as some of the mature P. regalis I've seen.

Is it typically a relatively slender spider? I looked at it today, and I'm
guessing it's about 5 to 6 inches now, but I expected it to be considerably
bulkier than it is now.

I think it's coming up on a molt and it doesn't seem terribly thin to me.
Brandon (versicolorking), told me he thinks it might be female so if it's the
right size to breed, I'd sure like to get to it! I'll try to get hold of the molt
so I can attempt to sex it to be sure what it is. I've had it for a couple
years now and it was around 2 to 3 inches when I got it.

Wysi

 

[petitegreeneyes]

I have a mature female and she isn't slender at all. She's actually quite plump and gorgeous. I don't know if that helps you with your question but I personally don't find them to be slender unless they are males.

 

[Jakob]

I also think that just like with other animals, individual specimens vary slightly.

 

[Stagger-Lee]

ive got an older female thats about 7" and largish carapace havent seen them much bigger than this, ive also got a 5 year old female whos jsut hittign 6" now.

vary is size yes specially WC stuff ive been told specimines who regualary mated as apposed to those that were in secluded areeas away from wanderign males grew smaller than the ones who didnt reproduce regularly

 

[WYSIWYG]

I have a mature female and she isn't slender at all. She's actually quite plump and gorgeous. I don't know if that helps you with your question but I personally don't find them to be slender unless they are males.

When I say slender, I don't mean overly thin or emaciated. I guess I just
mean the size of the carapace and body. Just looking at mine, I'd say the
carapace is between the size of a dime and a penny. The body itself, not
including the spinnerets or the legs is about 2.5 inches from front to back.

At the moment, he/she is not eating, but is looking pretty comfortable in a
typical "pokie pose" on the side of the enclosure. I think a molt may be
coming, so it should be a little larger.

What are the approximate measurements of your female?

Thanks for the reply!

Wysi

 

[Michael Jacobi]

Actually, P. formosa is one of the more "proportionately heavy-bodied" Poecilotheria. I have 16 adult females and the largest is about 7 inches [18 cm] in legspan - most are closer to 6" [15 cm].

Cheers,
Michael

 

[David Burns]

Actually, P. formosa is one of the more "proportionately heavy-bodied" Poecilotheria. I have 16 adult females and the largest is about 7 inches [18 cm] in legspan - most are closer to 6" [15 cm].

Cheers,
Michael

In your experience are the males larger than the females? Or visa versa?
Legspanwise.

 

[WYSIWYG]

Actually, P. formosa is one of the more "proportionately heavy-bodied" Poecilotheria. I have 16 adult females and the largest is about 7 inches [18 cm] in legspan - most are closer to 6" [15 cm].

Cheers,
Michael

Hi Michael

What's the approxiate average carapace size on your females?

I just checked my database and I see I bought it at 2 inches in January of
2001, meaning, it will be three years that I've had it in January.

If it's 5 inches in legspan now and it's female (which Brandon told me he
thinks it is), is it safe to say that they grow at about an inch per year?
Mind you, with pokies, when I estimate the legspan, it's from front to
back when they are in their little pokie position (front legs in front/back legs
in back).

I'm thinking maybe it just has some more growing to do? As far as
proportion, looks fine to me, but not even half as big around as the P.
regalis I've seen.

Wysi

 

[Jakob]

Actually, P. formosa is one of the more "proportionately heavy-bodied" Poecilotheria. I have 16 adult females and the largest is about 7 inches [18 cm] in legspan - most are closer to 6" [15 cm].

Cheers,
Michael

16? I don't think you have enough Michael!!

 

[Michael Jacobi]

16? I don't think you have enough Michael!!

You're absolutely right, Jake.

Looking for more...

 

[Letsgochopping]

Hey WISYWYG,

I don't have anything to say about pokies, as I have none. Just wanted to say it was nice to meet you at the Phoenix reptile expo the other day.

Patrick

 

[WYSIWYG]

Hey WISYWYG,

I don't have anything to say about pokies, as I have none. Just wanted to say it was nice to meet you at the Phoenix reptile expo the other day.

Patrick

Hiya Patrick,

It was nice meeting you too. How's your new T. blondi? I can't remember
if you took them home or if Chris is holding them for you until you get back
home.

It's interesting that a couple people mentioned that P. formosa's are tough
to get hold of. I was looking at Kelly Swift's site and they're all sold out.
John Hoke doesn't have them either.

I'm still wondering how large the carapace can get? If they're supposed to
be able to grow just 2 or 3 inches smaller than the P. regalis, I'm guessing
they should be able to get up to around the size of a quarter maybe?

Since it's not a particularly common species, I've got nothing local to compare
it with.

I'd love to see someone put up a pix of a large formosa with maybe a quarter
near it to show the size of the carapace if anyone has one.

Wysi

 

[death66]

michael,
*IN CHRIS WALKER VOICE* I've got a fever ............and the only perscription is 16 female P.formosa!!!! damn i hope my little sling is a femm.