Buying several slings of the same species. Necessary?

[tfd6506]

Hello All,

I have gotten back into tarantulas in the last few months and currently have a collection of 17 different specimens of 17 different species, and all but one are spiderlings ranging from the smallest of the small up to about 1.5". I was reading that some hobbyists recommend the purchase of several slings at once for each species in order to ensure that at least one will survive to adulthood. I am curious to hear people's opinions on whether or not this is truly necessary. I only have 1 specimen for each species that I have obtained and while I have been a little worried about raising certain species considered "difficult as slings" like the avics, etc, I had not worried about the survival of most of the slings regardless of species, until now. I can agree with some of the other reasons for this, such as wishing to obtain several individuals for breeding. However, from a strictly intermediate "just likes to collect" perspective, would you put that much emphasis on getting more than 1 spiderling of the same species? I can see this becoming costly for the novice or intermediate keepers, especially considering the price of some species. So, what do you think? Would you recommend that I purchase several individuals of the same species from now on, just for survival's sake? Also, I was wondering, is there a certain inch mark that once the sling hits, perhaps that is a point where mother nature decrees "hey, this ones got a better chance to make it?" (given proper conditions of course) Maybe at the 1 or 2 inch mark perhaps? Just guessing here, would like to be assured that a lot of my specimens are "in the clear," but I guess that's something that we can never truly find out until they reach adulthood! Thank you for your input.
-Tom

 

[xhexdx]

Nobody can answer that question for you. If you think you can do just fine with only 1, then get only 1. If you put in the time and effort then you may very well be able to keep them alive without any issues.

See how these 17 go and adjust your purchasing strategy accordingly.

 

[bchbum11]

I've been getting multiples of most species I want more to increase my chances of getting a female than to back it up in case of a death. Even the smallest of slings seem to be relatively hardy, and pretty much everything I've read leads me to believe that deaths are rare. That seems to go for the supposed difficult species as well. I haven't kept actual figures, but get the feel that the 'look at how my avic sling is growing' type threads outnumber the sudden death syndrome ones by a wide margin. I think the question you really have to answer is if you would mind raising a single specimen of a given species from sling to adult only to have it hook out and have to start over again. I'll usually get 2-3 of a species when I decide I want to get into it, but there are a few that I am seriously considering picking up a few more of just to ensure a female. Of course, I know some people will say just buy the female to begin with. I just like watching them grow too much to do that though

 

[gumby]

I think its a personal thing and personally I think getting one of each is just fine. I have to say though that having several of the Tsyou really enjoy though.

 

[Kungfujoe]

I have also used this strategy because I want to have a decent chance of getting a female but so far i havent lost a sling (fingers crossed).

I've been getting multiples of most species I want more to increase my chances of getting a female than to back it up in case of a death. Even the smallest of slings seem to be relatively hardy, and pretty much everything I've read leads me to believe that deaths are rare. That seems to go for the supposed difficult species as well. I haven't kept actual figures, but get the feel that the 'look at how my avic sling is growing' type threads outnumber the sudden death syndrome ones by a wide margin. I think the question you really have to answer is if you would mind raising a single specimen of a given species from sling to adult only to have it hook out and have to start over again. I'll usually get 2-3 of a species when I decide I want to get into it, but there are a few that I am seriously considering picking up a few more of just to ensure a female. Of course, I know some people will say just buy the female to begin with. I just like watching them grow too much to do that though

 

[a3overlord]

I've been getting multiples of most species I want more to increase my chances of getting a female than to back it up in case of a death.)

This is the same reason I have 9 L.parabana, I would be disappointed to raise 1 sling, just to have it die as a MM in a few short years.

 

[jayefbe]

If it's a species I really love and would like to potentially breed, I try to buy multiples to increase my odds of getting a female. If it's just a species I like but don't NEED, I may buy just one. If it's a female, great. If it's a male I'll sell it or do a 50/50.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

not a bad idea a lot of species I only buy 1 of like P metallica /king baboon / A versicolor / L Klugi
Ive gotten a few females from buying single spiders too/ or getting them as freebies
its a toss up but if you really like a spider id buy multiples!!! I got 10 P regalis slings 1 juvie/ 10 Lps 1 MM 1 female 8 slings/3 GBB/14 OBT
I did go overboard with 14 OBTs but I got 11 for dirt cheap lol:sarcasm:

 

[Shrike]

If I purchase more than one sling, I do so because it increases my chances of getting a female. Increased survivorship is plus, I suppose, but I've never had any issues caring for slings.

 

[skar]

I personally Always bought slings . I've had great luck with raising them but eh ... getting a female is a toss that usually lands tails.
But you never know till you get there.

 

[JOHN 3:16]

If you have "intermediate" tarantula keeping skills, having a tarantula die on you should not be a major concern, if you have done your homework on the specie. Your greatest concern should be obtaining a FEMALE. This is my hypothesis: I believe that naturally more females are hatched out than males. Under the same condition as a female, a male will mature much faster, thus lessening the chances of it being killed before it matures. The female, which takes much longer to mature, has a greater chance of being killed before it matures.
For the first fifteen years of keeping tarantulas, I only collected for specimens. I was not told to purchase several spiders to ensure an adult or a female, I got that news late. When I purchase spiderlings, I usually purchased one, especially if it is, what I call expensive (40.00 +). I also believe, the smaller you purchase a spiderling, the better chance you have of getting a female from some dealers. The smaller the less human intervention, the older or larger a tarantula the more likely your chances of getting a female tarantula is manipulated by the dealer. I would say eight to ninety percent of the spiderlings I purchased, solo, were females. With that being said, I will continue purchasing single species except for breeding purposes. I think you should too.

 

[jayefbe]

^your theory on biased sex ratio has one giant flaw. Females are capable of breeding over multiple seasons. Perhaps even as many as a dozen. Males generally survive only one season, and given the cannibalism that is not uncommon, likely do not sire many females in that season. Given this disparity, one would expect more males than females if there were any bias in sex ratio.

I agree about buying very small slings to increase odds of getting a female. I'm hesitant when anybody sells an unsexed juvie. Even if they're unsexed, I'm guessing the females have been picked out along the way more often than not.

 

[The_Dude]

I agree about buying very small slings to increase odds of getting a female. I'm hesitant when anybody sells an unsexed juvie. Even if they're unsexed, I'm guessing the females have been picked out along the way more often than not.

I was actually planning on starting a thread over this exact subject. Often times I have questioned the honesty of said sellers when listing "unsexed" slings/juvies. Because... they don't wanna be stuck with a ton of males, and why make the price of a female the same as a male if able to differentiate? It's more money in their pocket if you are given the "illusion" of having a chance in acquiring a female without paying the extra money for definitive females. That said, I will no longer buy anything marked unsexed if over 1".

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I was actually planning on starting a thread over this exact subject. Often times I have questioned the honesty of said sellers when listing "unsexed" slings/juvies. Because... they don't wanna be stuck with a ton of males, and why make the price of a female the same as a male if able to differentiate? It's more money in their pocket if you are given the "illusion" of having a chance in acquiring a female without paying the extra money for definitive females. That said, I will no longer buy anything marked unsexed if over 1".

Yeah I noticed that I sure got a lotta male juvies off pual becker.. luckily I got a few females.. lol
feel like dealers are dumping males as unsexed.. just for for more cash then a male is worth lol... but if you had 1500+ Ts for sale?? would you really bother to sex em all?? I wouldnt LOL!!

 

[jayefbe]

I actually have known of a few examples of users (not bigger sellers) selling a male as unsexed. In PMs they'd refer to the unsexed juvie as a male, but they'd only advertise it as unsexed. Or they'd sell them as a "pair", but once the female was sold alone it was "unsexed". I'm sure there are people that are honest when they sell unsexed juvies, but I'm not sure how often that is. If I try to make a guess at sex by looking at the vent, I at least inform potential buyers on what I think the gender may be. Oh, and I've been particularly unlucky when it comes to getting females...

 

[The_Dude]

Same here lol. So from here on out, I plan on only buying multiple slings or just biting the bullet and buying females. But will most likely stick to slings because I enjoy watching them morph into giants. Time-consuming but gratifying nonetheless

 

[jayefbe]

I like to do a variety. I like having a few females on hand to try breeding, and a bunch of slings to watch grow. Another benefit of buying multiples: trading for other T's!

 

[Bigboy]

I prefer buying several at once because I'm not just interested in keeping but also in breeding and buying a bunch increases the chances of getting a female.

 

[zonbonzovi]

That said, I will no longer buy anything marked unsexed if over 1".

An inch? I understand that there are some shady individuals here and elsewhere but sexing a molt at that size is damned difficult without a scope or a very nice camera. Maybe I've just had a different experience in buying unsexed juveniles or maybe its been the folks that I've bought them from.

 

[jayefbe]

An inch? I understand that there are some shady individuals here and elsewhere but sexing a molt at that size is damned difficult without a scope or a very nice camera. Maybe I've just had a different experience in buying unsexed juveniles or maybe its been the folks that I've bought them from.

With some species, it's definitely possible to ventrally sex at a young size. Even if you're not 100% accurate, you can drastically change the odds.