Growth Rate: Brachypelma albopilosum 'Hobby' vs. 'Nicaragua'

[antinous]

Anybody keep both of these species and would like to chime in? Curious to see if there any differences between the growth rates and max. size

 

[EulersK]

Identical growth rates in my experience, but the Nicaraguan does get a touch larger. Nothing to write home about, though.

 

[MissouriArachnophile]

Is hobby the honduran? just curious on what hobby is i guess.

 

[EulersK]

This is the Honduran B. albopilosum, and is considered the 'hobby' variant:

B. albopilosum, Honduran

• EulersK
• Jul 10, 2017
• 6

Adult female, I've had this girl since she was a 1.5" juvie. One of my first tarantulas, actually.

This is the Nicaraguan B. albopilosum:

B. albopilosum, Nicaraguan

• EulersK
• Jul 10, 2017
• 4

She recently molted for me, and now I just need to fatten her up before pairing.

 

[MissouriArachnophile]

Thanks for the info, and now i know the difference of my 2.

 

[antinous]

Is hobby the honduran? just curious on what hobby is i guess.

They’re known as ‘Honduran’, but they’re most likely hybridized with other ‘curly hairs’ over the years so I just prefer calling them the ‘hobby’ variants.

 

[weibkreux]

My albo has a black carapace but not as curly as a Nicaraguan, so I consider it as 'hobby form'. Hard to find a pure one these days.

 

[antinous]

My albo has a black carapace but not as curly as a Nicaraguan, so I consider it as 'hobby form'. Hard to find a pure one these days.

'Pure' ones/Nicaraguan ones were recently introduced to the hobby within the last couple years and they aren't too hard to find. Also, unless you're 100% sure that you know the locale of your spider, even if it did have curly hair, I wouldn't label it as one.

 

[weibkreux]

'Pure' ones/Nicaraguan ones were recently introduced to the hobby within the last couple years and they aren't too hard to find. Also, unless you're 100% sure that you know the locale of your spider, even if it did have curly hair, I wouldn't label it as one.

I see, thanks for pointing that out. The seller I got mine form is also not sure of its origin so I'll just continue calling it 'hobby form'.
Won't be surprised if its interbred between the two forms of B. albopilosum.
Newly molted:

Brachypelma albopilosum

• weibkreux
• Oct 18, 2018
• 1
• albopilosum brachypelma brachypelma albopilosum curlyhair tarantula

My Floof back when she just molted. Big butt lol

Recent photo:

Brachypelma albopilosum

• weibkreux
• Oct 18, 2018
• 3
• albopilosum brachypelma brachypelma albopilosum curlyhair tarantula

Chubby girl, feeding her male dubias twice a month.

 

[MissouriArachnophile]

Does yours happen to still burrow? Mine is around 4 dls, yesterday it started to excavate its hide out, made itself a nice little area by the wall underneath the substrate where I can see it down there.

 

[PanzoN88]

I see, thanks for pointing that out. The seller I got mine form is also not sure of its origin so I'll just continue calling it 'hobby form'.
Won't be surprised if its interbred between the two forms of B. albopilosum.

Brachypelma albopilosum

• weibkreux
• Oct 18, 2018
• 3
• albopilosum brachypelma brachypelma albopilosum curlyhair tarantula

Chubby girl, feeding her male dubias twice a month.

@Exoskeleton Invertebrates may be able to determine what you have.

Now back on topic: I see no difference in growth rate, however the Nicaraguan B. albopilosum look better in my opinion. I have three Nicaraguan and one Honduran B. albopilosum.

 

[Killertut]

received slings of both species in summer. were the around the same age and size on arrivel and in my experience they grow at the same speed.

 

[Minty]

My Nicaraguan B.albopilosum. Can’t comment on growth rates as I got her the size before that moult, but I’m sticking the photo up so people can see another example of the Nicaraguan form.

 

[weibkreux]

How about their maximum size? About the same for both forms?

 

[Liquifin]

How about their maximum size? About the same for both forms?

I don't really see a difference in size between the two but here is a pic of my nicaraguan.
View media item 49840

 

[The Grym Reaper]

They’re known as ‘Honduran’, but they’re most likely hybridized with other ‘curly hairs’ over the years so I just prefer calling them the ‘hobby’ variants.

I think @Exoskeleton Invertebrates has pics of WC specimens of both variants IIRC.

I know some are hybridised with vagans but it's fairly easy to tell how much of a mutt you have if that's the case.

As for your original question, the Honduran variant grows slightly faster IME.

Honduran

0.1 Brachypelma albopilosum (Honduras)

• The Grym Reaper
• Aug 10, 2018
• albopilosum brachypelma brachypelma albopilosum curlyhair tarantula honduran curly hair

Kitana rocking her new suit.

Nicaraguan
View media item 51239

 

[Exoskeleton Invertebrates]

I see, thanks for pointing that out. The seller I got mine form is also not sure of its origin so I'll just continue calling it 'hobby form'.
Won't be surprised if its interbred between the two forms of B. albopilosum.
Newly molted:

Brachypelma albopilosum

• weibkreux
• Oct 18, 2018
• 1
• albopilosum brachypelma brachypelma albopilosum curlyhair tarantula

My Floof back when she just molted. Big butt lol

Recent photo:

Brachypelma albopilosum

• weibkreux
• Oct 18, 2018
• 3
• albopilosum brachypelma brachypelma albopilosum curlyhair tarantula

Chubby girl, feeding her male dubias twice a month.

that’s the old hobby albopilosum.

 

[weibkreux]

that’s the old hobby albopilosum.

Thanks! But when you say 'old', what is the difference with the 'new' hobby form?

 

[Exoskeleton Invertebrates]

Thanks! But when you say 'old', what is the difference with the 'new' hobby form?

Old meaning it’s the long term hobby albopilosum.

 

[Exoskeleton Invertebrates]

The growth rate of the Nicaraguan is quite fast. It is one of the fastest new world tarantula I have ever owned.