Can you sex a tarantula as a sling?

[mjlim0802]

I was just wondering if my 1 1/2 B albopilosum slings can be sexed at that size...

 

[rob0t]

Yes it can. It's easier when it gets larger though.

 

[Nada]

If you have a good microscope you can sex anything.

 

[Poec54]

I think it's easier often to sex them at 1 1/2 - 2", before they get more hair.

 

[Balvala]

I've even been successful confirming each of the few that I've kept from half an inch and developed enough to confirm my suspicions. Of course, at that size and in regards to ventral sexing, I'm solely basing it off of anterior book lung spacing. I would have to agree with Poec54 in respect to appropriate size. By that time, even the androgyny begins to wear off a bit more with most species.

 

[friendttyy]

Yes it is possible but ain't gonna be 100%accurate

 

[Poec54]

I'm solely basing it off of anterior book lung spacing.

I vent sex them at that size, but not lung spacing. I've see experienced guys mis-sex them using lung spacing; they'll look at that and completely ignore very obvious features at the vent. The only time I'll look at lung spacing is when I can't be sure by telling what's going on at the vent, and even then, lung spacing doesn't really clear things up.

 

[prairiepanda]

You can sex them at any size really. Is that 1 1/2 inches or centimeters? If it's inches, you should be able to tell with the naked eye assuming you have good vision. If centimeters, a microscope would be helpful.

 

[Balvala]

I vent sex them at that size, but not lung spacing. I've see experienced guys mis-sex them using lung spacing; they'll look at that and completely ignore very obvious features at the vent. The only time I'll look at lung spacing is when I can't be sure by telling what's going on at the vent, and even then, lung spacing doesn't really clear things up.

Once they do reach around an inch or more, I of course observe the anterior book lung spacing, each lung orientation, structure of the noticeable furrow, even the structure between the coxa of the last leg set's, sometimes growth rates, etc... I just haven't had enough babies that tiny or willing enough NOT to immediately hide each time I attempt to inspect a little more in detail to determine through those same methods as of yet.