Confusion about P.Muticus Sexing

[EmilzHernandez]

I've read on different threads that in King Baboons, there is a huge chance of getting a female. Can anyone put out a source to confirm this, or give an explanation? I have a 2 inch King Baboon (a female hopefully ) and I was curious to know, as I haven't found any information on the subject. Am I just not digging deep enough?

Thanks!

-Emilio

 

[Nightstalker47]

I've read on different threads that in King Baboons, there is a huge chance of getting a female. Can anyone put out a source to confirm this, or give an explanation? I have a 2 inch King Baboon (a female hopefully ) and I was curious to know, as I haven't found any information on the subject. Am I just not digging deep enough?

Thanks!

-Emilio

Males are definitely harder to find, the species is supposedly very female heavy. Luckily it's easy to tell early on, this species displays sexual dimorphism, the females back legs will thicken with each molt whereas the males will not.

 

[EmilzHernandez]

Males are definitely harder to find, the species is supposedly very female heavy. Luckily it's easy to tell early on, this species displays sexual dimorphism, the females back legs will thicken with each molt whereas the males will not.

YESSSS That's exactly what I was hoping! I've heard they take forever to grow, so this will be fun!

 

[EmilzHernandez]

@Nightstalker47 do you know if 2 inches is too early to sex one? Mine just arrived. Also it's climbed to the side of its enclosure and wont make a burrow, I assume that's normal? It's currently a 7 inch tall critter keeper with 5 inches of cocofiber, should I make any changes? Thanks!

 

[Nightstalker47]

@Nightstalker47 do you know if 2 inches is too early to sex one? Mine just arrived. Also it's climbed to the side of its enclosure and wont make a burrow, I assume that's normal? It's currently a 7 inch tall critter keeper with 5 inches of cocofiber, should I make any changes? Thanks!

That's a little small to tell but if its climbing the side a lot try to get a ventral picture. Your setup sounds about right but a pic of that would also help confirm. It's quite normal for it to wander around when first introduced into the new enclosure. It can take up to a week for it to settle in.

 

[Nightstalker47]

heard they take forever to grow

Mine didn't, but they probably slow down considerably as they grow, I do feed a lot and I keep the T room at about 80 during the day. Here's a pic of my specimen. http://arachnoboards.com/gallery/p-muticus.41777/

 

[korg]

@Nightstalker47 do you know if 2 inches is too early to sex one? Mine just arrived. Also it's climbed to the side of its enclosure and wont make a burrow, I assume that's normal? It's currently a 7 inch tall critter keeper with 5 inches of cocofiber, should I make any changes? Thanks!

I always give my burrowers a starter hole near the side of the enclosure. Helps them settle in more quickly and ensures that even in their burrows they will be at least partially visible at times! Could give that a try or just wait until your muticus decides to choose its own spot. This is a fantastic species to own... beautiful color, great Eumenophorinae body structure, and their dedicated, extensive digging habits make them very interesting to observe. Relatively slow to mature and not necessarily the best eaters at times, but the slow growth just makes you appreciate them more in the end. Enjoy!

 

[EmilzHernandez]

@korg @Nightstalker47
Here's the underside. Unfortunately the little one has hairs covering the vent. Hopefully book lungs will help!

 

[sasker]

@korg and @Nightstalker47 , the substrate in your pictures seem rather moist. Is this how you always keep them? I read that some people keep them much dryer (like bone-dry?). I will also purchase a P. muticus soon, hence my question. And is that 100% coco fiber I see?

Sorry for hijacking this threat!

 

[korg]

@korg @Nightstalker47
Here's the underside. Unfortunately the little one has hairs covering the vent. Hopefully book lungs will help!

Not at all confident from that photo... epigynal plate not really in focus. Just wait for the next molt and you'll probably have a much better chance of accuracy. Sex won't change between now and then!

@korg and @Nightstalker47 , the substrate in your pictures seem rather moist. Is this how you always keep them? I read that some people keep them much dryer (like bone-dry?). I will also purchase a P. muticus soon, hence my question. And is that 100% coco fiber I see?

Yeah, they're native to dry climates in East Africa (photo: http://www.birdspiders.com/gallery/index.php/Tarantula-Habitats/birdspiders_0824). I keep mine on bone dry coco fiber (use 100% coco fiber for all my tarantulas) with a water dish, never had any issues. That photo was actually taken right after a transfer and before the new substrate had dried. Here's one that more accurately reflects how the substrate normally looks:

 

[Moakmeister]

Not at all confident from that photo... epigynal plate not really in focus. Just wait for the next molt and you'll probably have a much better chance of accuracy. Sex won't change between now and then!



Yeah, they're native to dry climates in East Africa (photo: http://www.birdspiders.com/gallery/index.php/Tarantula-Habitats/birdspiders_0824). I keep mine on bone dry coco fiber (use 100% coco fiber for all my tarantulas) with a water dish, never had any issues. That photo was actually taken right after a transfer and before the new substrate had dried. Here's one that more accurately reflects how the substrate normally looks:

Nice funnel web

 

[sasker]

Yeah, they're native to dry climates in East Africa

Thanks for the clarification and the picture. I really want one now

 

[Nightstalker47]

@korg and @Nightstalker47 , the substrate in your pictures seem rather moist. Is this how you always keep them? I read that some people keep them much dryer (like bone-dry?). I will also purchase a P. muticus soon, hence my question. And is that 100% coco fiber I see?

Sorry for hijacking this threat!

I bought mine as a 3/4inch sling so I did not keep it bone dry. I would slightly moisten the sub and kept the water dish full. For adults I would let it dry out a lot more, but I think my sling appreciated the extra moisture.

 

[EmilzHernandez]

@korg@Nightstalker47 does my own view of the epiandrous fusillae help me at all? I am no pro, but mine looks a lot like this one from a thread about a 2" sling from a few years ago: *Note: NOT MINE, but ventral area looks exactly the same. This is from brandi71183's post in 2009.

 

[EmilzHernandez]

Thank you everyone for your help! From my view, the T appears to be female. Fingers crossed massively!