Aphonopelma chalcodes

[SuleymanC]

Hi, I have 4 aphonopelma chalcodes 4inch Ts that I'll be picking up from expo at September 9.. I got them couple of days ago from tarantula canada and I have a question regarding it.. They are unsexed and I heard that I have like 90 percent chance for a female but what do you guys think? You think I'll have at least one female? Please share your thoughts.. I have been getting less sleep lately due to stress that I'm thinking about this.. I'm just very scared that my money will be wasted on just males..

 

[Ungoliant]

I heard that I have like 90 percent chance for a female but what do you guys think? You think I'll have at least one female? Please share your thoughts.. I have been getting less sleep lately due to stress that I'm thinking about this.. I'm just very scared that my money will be wasted on just males..

I don't know what the male/female ratios are for this species, but if it's 50/50, the odds of getting four males are only 6.25%.

Odds of getting all males = p^n

where p = the probability that any one tarantula is a male and n = the number of spiders you purchased.

 

[SuleymanC]

I don't know what the male/female ratios are for this species, but if it's 50/50, the odds of getting four males are only 6.25%.

Odds of getting all males = p^n

where p = the probability that any one tarantula is a male and n = the number of spiders you purchased.

You think I made a bad choice? What would you do if you were in my shoes? Would you pick up the chalcodes from expo or would you rather get a specimen that is confirmed female but different species?

 

[Ungoliant]

You think I made a bad choice? What would you do if you were in my shoes? Would you pick up the chalcodes from expo or would you rather get a specimen that is confirmed female but different species?

There is no one right answer. It's just a matter of personal choice: how much you are willing to spend, how much space you have to house extra "female insurance" tarantulas, and your personal tolerance for "risk" (not that males aren't fun to raise). Some people would rather buy multiple slings and later sell or trade any they don't end up keeping to support their habit hobby. Some people like having multiples of the same species. Others are happy to pay a premium for a confirmed female.

I have limited space, so I'd either pay extra for the confirmed female or take a gamble on a single sling.

Aphonopelma chalcodes is a beautiful (and generally easygoing) species, so I don't think you will be disappointed.

 

[SuleymanC]

There is no one right answer. It's just a matter of personal choice: how much you are willing to spend, how much space you have to house extra "female insurance" tarantulas, and your personal tolerance for "risk" (not that males aren't fun to raise). Some people would rather buy multiple slings and later sell or trade any they don't end up keeping to support their habit hobby. Some people like having multiples of the same species. Others are happy to pay a premium for a confirmed female.

I have limited space, so I'd either pay extra for the confirmed female or take a gamble on a single sling.

Aphonopelma chalcodes is a beautiful (and generally easygoing) species, so I don't think you will be disappointed.

Yeah I heard they are great Ts to handle if you choose to do so.. Not that I recommend handling but there are alot of people who like handling their Ts.. I think 4 is enough to see one female because I'm quite sure someone has to be female.. It would be so rare to see 4 of them being male

 

[Ungoliant]

Yeah I heard they are great Ts to handle if you choose to do so.. Not that I recommend handling but there are alot of people who like handling their Ts..

I don't handle my tarantulas, as it doesn't benefit them, but it's easier to do cage maintenance for tarantulas with a docile temperament, especially if you are new to the hobby.

But no matter how chill your tarantula is, you should develop good habits, such as using tongs for maintenance, keeping a catch cup handy, and not leaving the cage open to go into the other room to grab something. Making these habits second nature will serve you well if you ever start keeping species that are faster, more defensive, and/or have more potent venom.

I think 4 is enough to see one female because I'm quite sure someone has to be female.. It would be so rare to see 4 of them being male

Yes, the odds of getting at least one female should be in your favor.

 

[whovian89]

But no matter how chill your tarantula is, you should develop good habits, such as using tongs for maintenance, keeping a catch cup handy ......

I learnt the hard way that it is helpful to have a catch cup with small holes at or around the closed end to insert your paint brush so that you can nudge the Ts out of the catch cup. My A. seemanni did not want to crawl out of the catch cup and I ended up leaving the catch cup in the enclosure. It was a few hours before she eventually came out.

Cutting a large soda bottle in half and using it (the top half) as a catch cup is also an option. After you are done you can just unscrew the cap and nudge the T with your paint brush.

 

[EulersK]

If I'm reading this right, they're all 4"? That's about the max size of this species. Never, ever, ever buy an "unsexed" subadult tarantula. That's usually a guarantee that it's a male.

A sexed adult female should cost about $50 in the States, but I'm not sure about Canada. Just spend the money on a confirmed adult female.

I've never heard of the 90% female ratio, so I can't comment on that. Although I doubt it considering how common mature males are in the wild.

 

[SuleymanC]

If I'm reading this right, they're all 4"? That's about the max size of this species. Never, ever, ever buy an "unsexed" subadult tarantula. That's usually a guarantee that it's a male.

A sexed adult female should cost about $50 in the States, but I'm not sure about Canada. Just spend the money on a confirmed adult female.

I've never heard of the 90% female ratio, so I can't comment on that. Although I doubt it considering how common mature males are in the wild.

It's already purchased.. What would you do if you were me?

 

[EulersK]

It's already purchased.. What would you do if you were me?

Well, if they're already purchased, then there's not much you can do. You own them. If the seller truly didn't know the sex, then you almost certainly have at least one female. If they're all 4", then you'll find out which ones are male on the next molt. They'd be maturing at that point.

 

[SuleymanC]

Well, if they're already purchased, then there's not much you can do. You own them. If the seller truly didn't know the sex, then you almost certainly have at least one female. If they're all 4", then you'll find out which ones are male on the next molt. They'd be maturing at that point.

To make it clear I bought them from tarantula Canada... They are very honest and reputable sellers so if she label something that means she know the gender.. But I'm aware if I were to buy from private seller they could sex the molt and find out the gender being male but they might label as unsexed or female just to do business.. Tarantula Canada has been known for years so I trust that they are not trying to screw me over.. You heard them before?

 

[EulersK]

To make it clear I bought them from tarantula Canada... They are very honest and reputable sellers so if she label something that means she know the gender.. But I'm aware if I were to buy from private seller they could sex the molt and find out the gender being male but they might label as unsexed or female just to do business.. Tarantula Canada has been known for years so I trust that they are not trying to screw me over.. You heard them before?

I've heard of them, sure, but they were labeled as unsexed from what I understand. Reputable or not, that's still a red flag to me.

 

[StampFan]

Tarantula Canada are true pros. Ridiculously excellent business. Can't recommend them enough. So good it's hard to go anywhere else in Canada with our limit of three online suppliers.

If I were to guess : they just received in this shipment of wild caught Aphonopelma. So they have not witnessed a molt to sex it. If in doubt just drop Amanda a line and ask.

Regardless even a male A chalodes will give you many years of pleasure and ownership.

As for prices you can't look at other countries and compare. Some of the stuff at Tarcan for $5 for $25 can cost waaaaayyyyyy more than that in other places. Supply and demand. And here there is limited supply and changing demand.