-
While we have report items for many species, there are many more that we do not, currently, have report items for.
If you would like to leave a breeding/bite/sting report for a species that does not currently have a report item in the appropriate category, please request that one be created in this thread.
Once the item has been created, you will be provided with a link to post your report.
Tarantula Theraphosa blondi
- Added by Arachnoboards
- Create date
- Common Names
- Goliath birdeater
- Previous Review/Report Link
- https://arachnoboards.com/threads/theraphosa-blondi.50030/
- Initial Breeding Date
- 17th Jan 2022
- Successful
- Yes
- Special Notes
-
Conditioning
Female freshly moulted and kept slightly warmer than the rest of the collection and offered food loads of times to bulk up.
Male was approx 6 weeks post mature moult before introduction amd kept appetite post moult and beyond.
- Pairing
- 3 insertions observed over a 6 week period, all inside the females enclosure (45x45x30 exoterra).
- Observations
- Despite size, very little aggression after initial scurry out of hide to see what was going on by female. Male stood his ground each time and never ran or showed aggression to female
- Post Mating Care
-
Female was allowed to eat ad much ad she wanted but not overfed as T blondi have a deserved reputation for being food hoovers!
Variety of prey included Dubia, red runners, locusts and crickets
- Time & Care
-
Egg sac production
Several months after insertions in Jan/Feb 22, female made dome shaped web (Late Aug/early Sept 2022).
This female completely enclosed herself outside the burrow in her cocoon and stayed like that for approx 48 days when I pulled the sac away from mum
After 3 other (unsuccessful) egg sacs from other females, the substrate was allowed to dry out more than I would normally for regular housing of Theraphosa sp.
- Final Details
-
Egg sac
Vast majority of eggs (approx 100) were black and bad. There was 22 EWLs that had developed. Immediately removed from the sac amd placed in an incubator (1.11.22) and spaced out so they were not touching. 3 had started to go black and eventually died after 2 or 3 days
Sling development
Remaining 19 EWLs kept at a constant temp of 28°C, suspended over water by cheesecloth with a tray of water also inside the incubator so that humidity was very high.
After approx 7 days all EWLs had turned into nymph stage, still with the yellow yolk, sustaining them but "looking" like spiders.
From approx 15th Nov (2 weeks after EWLs pulled from sac) they started to go darker and huddle back together. 7th December onwards, dark patches were clearly visible on abdomen. 14th to 16th December all remaining 19 nymphs moulted into L1 Slings. Approx 3 to 4 cm DLS which was a massive size increase from nymph stage.
18th December 2022, all slings rehoused to avoid any risk of cannibalism.
Other notes
This was my 4th attempt at breeding T blindi having successfully bred other species. All 3 previous sacs were black and bad throughout despite mum being very diligent and protective of the sac.
The only real difference this time was that I let the sub dry out more than usual before Egg sac produced. A Friend of mine had done this with a T stirmi and eventually had success with that species so I tried the same with the Blondi.
I have 2 other T blondi pairings ongoing.and will repeat the process for dryer sub but will pull any sacs earlier in the hope that more will develop.
I hope others find this useful.
Successful pairing review for others to note.
Pictures:
1. Screenshot from pairing video
2. Feeding on 2 adult dubai
3. Preparing for nesting
4. Dome cocoon (nest)
5. EWLs changing to nymphs
6. L1 sling (one of 19 remaining slings)
Pictures:
1. Screenshot from pairing video
2. Feeding on 2 adult dubai
3. Preparing for nesting
4. Dome cocoon (nest)
5. EWLs changing to nymphs
6. L1 sling (one of 19 remaining slings)
One member found this helpful.