G. Pulchra: How slow is Too slow?

[Lumberguy]

I have had my G. Pulchra from the time it was a sling, and have been wondering how long it has been since its last molt, as it does seem to have been a while. I looked back at some photos with dates and determined that it has not molted since at LEAST mid August 2011 - It is still juvenile at that - Legspan is roughly 3." Is this very unusual for this species? I know Grammostola are generally slow, but surely not this slow? It has not accepted offered food for nearly 6 months and really hasn't voraciously fed for a couple of years.

Any input is always appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[cold blood]

I'd bet you missed a molt or 3 somewhere....has it been 3" the whole time? For an adult, I wouldn't be surprised, but that's a long time for a juvie.

Is it kept on the cool side?

 

[Angel Minkov]

My L3 G. pulchra needed 6 months to molt.

 

[Poec54]

If they're kept warm they eat more often and molt more. What's the temps?

 

[Lumberguy]

Temperatures are comfortable room temperature - 72-76 usually in summer and 68-70 in winter.

I know that this T has not molted again yet because one "toe" has a leftover of the last molt still stuck on that was the brown color they have prior to becoming velvety black. I'm hoping that when it does eventually molt again that this problem won't recur. I do realize that warmer temps would be beneficial to just speed the process along, but it refuses to eat outright no matter what is offered (abdomen is actually good and plump, though, so I'm not Worried about that)

I just thought it was interesting that it has taken so long and wondered if anyone else had experience with such slow growth / long lived juveniles.

 

[Poec54]

Temperatures are comfortable room temperature - 72-76 usually in summer and 68-70 in winter.

That's on the cool side. You're not going to get fast growth with those temps, as they're coldblooded and temps determine their metabolism. Most tarantulas are tropical at low to moderate elevations and warmer than that. Even temperate species are used to a hot summer (like Aphonopelma).

 

[burmish101]

A hole in the ground is generally much cooler than the ambient temperature of a spiders range. There was a study done on Haplopelma that may apply here as well concerning proper temps

 

[Poec54]

A hole in the ground is generally much cooler than the ambient temperature of a spiders range. There was a study done on Haplopelma that may apply here as well concerning proper temps

Yes, it's cooler underground on a hot day, but when it's 90 to 100+ outside (as many areas in the tropics. subtropics, and temperate zones are for part of or all of the summer), it's still going to be warm in the burrow. The sun is much more intense as you get closer to the equator.