Female B. smithi maturity?

complicz

Arachnopeon
Joined
Apr 20, 2016
Messages
18
Hey,
can someone tell me how to know that female b.smithi is mature? only by the size? or average number of molts? i am not so experienced, bud i would like to breed her. She just molted yesterday, but still in her hide so i cant measure her.
Thanks for all responses i appreciate every knowledge :)
 

Flexzone

Arachnodemon
Joined
Mar 1, 2015
Messages
721
Females are sexually mature once they're spermathecae are fully developed "sclerotized", from what Ive read its best to wait until the female is a good 5'' to attempt to pair her with a male.
 

Poec54

Arachnoemperor
Joined
Mar 26, 2013
Messages
4,745
For B smithi, I'd want the female close to 6" before I'd pair it up. Technically, it may be 'mature' at 5", but I wouldn't expect a sac at that size (she'd likely molt first), and if she would make a sac, odds are it would be small and with few viable eggs. There's no reason to rush it. A female close to full size has more resources to channel to egg development, and doesn't have to direct those towards her own growth.
 

complicz

Arachnopeon
Joined
Apr 20, 2016
Messages
18
Thanks man, i really appreciate your help. I definetly dont want to rush it, just gathering some info from more experienced people. I always get help here, so thanks a lot
 

Poec54

Arachnoemperor
Joined
Mar 26, 2013
Messages
4,745
Thanks man, i really appreciate your help. I definetly dont want to rush it, just gathering some info from more experienced people. I always get help here, so thanks a lot

What I hate to see is people that jump the gun and spend the money on getting an adult male, with a female that's barely mature. Those often lead to disappointment.

Two things Anastasia Haroldsen shared with me:
- Young females usually produce small sacs. She said she'd say to them: "What, that's it? This is all you could come up with?"

- She's unintentionally burned out females by breeding them 3 or 4 years in a row, and greatly shortened their lifespans.
 

darkness975

Latrodectus
Arachnosupporter +
Joined
Aug 31, 2012
Messages
5,610
Anastasia is awesome

Like others have said , which you have agreed with , slow and steady wins this race.
 

Quixtar

Arachnobaron
Old Timer
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
513
It'll take you some time to get a mature female, but breeding them comes pretty easily in my experience.
 
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