Growth rate of large true spiders (wandering, huntsman)

[fredwardkroeger]

Hi everyone,

I’m making the move from keeping jumpers, to larger true spiders. I’ve got the basics down and am ready to learn quickly and be attentive as needed.

One thing I’m wondering is - how fast do large true spiders grow? How often will I need to have larger enclosures prepared? The specific spiders en route are:

Cupiennius coccineus
Heteropoda Ianluna
Viridasius sp. Madagascar

Thanks everyone. I really can’t wait for these guys to arrive. All three are smol slings rn.

Thanks new friends. So hyped.

 

[theamazingspiderman]

Most spiders mature within 1 year, when slings they'll grow roughly every 2 or 3 weeks, and 1 to 2 months in their last molts, I have kept phoneutria, dolomedes, and lycosidae, they all have pretty similar growth rate.

 

[fredwardkroeger]

Most spiders mature within 1 year, when slings they'll grow roughly every 2 or 3 weeks, and 1 to 2 months in their last molts, I have kept phoneutria, dolomedes, and lycosidae, they all have pretty similar growth rate.

Okay, so were you rehousing them every 2-3 weeks in the beginning? How many enclosure sizes did you run through per spider?

 

[ForTW]

Approx three enclosure sizes but you can make it two.
7months to a year.
Growth rate is different, cupiennius gets a fair amount of size.

I start Off with Cups (500ml) because micro enclosures are OK but when i throw in some fruitflies some species seem to be stressed Out and need some soace to retreat.

Then you Go medium size or final enclosure when they reach....1-2cm BL.

Regards

 

[fredwardkroeger]

Thank you so much! Very helpful.

 

[liquidfluidity]

Been breeding C. salei for a while and keeping other awanderers and true spiders.

Most trues seem to grow quite fast, especially Wanderers. I was actually kind of amazed. I tend to give them a nice amount of space so that I can see some of their hunting characteristics, etc.

Stay safe and have fun!

 

[fredwardkroeger]

Been breeding C. salei for a while and keeping other awanderers and true spiders.

Most trues seem to grow quite fast, especially Wanderers. I was actually kind of amazed. I tend to give them a nice amount of space so that I can see some of their hunting characteristics, etc.

Stay safe and have fun!

Nice! C Salei are very cool, I'd love to raise one or five haha. I'm in Canada though and it seems hard to find true spider breeders here. I know of two.

It's been just over a month and both my C Coccineus and H lunula have had 1 molt each. My Viridasius has been in a molting hammock for about a week, so I'm anticipating a larger spider soon. And you're so right on giving wanderers space! I actually immediately rehoused my Viridasius to a larger enclosure because it was so active and interesting. I'm really excited to see it again post-molt, such a cool spider. The Coccineus is also pretty active - it seems either entertained by or annoyed with springtails, very hard to tell lol.

 

[liquidfluidity]

My C. salei in her newest and final enclosure

She has produced and earl Xmas present. This is her 3rd sac.

She is not quite 2 years old

 

[fredwardkroeger]

My C. salei in her newest and final enclosure

She has produced and earl Xmas present. This is her 3rd sac.

She is not quite 2 years old View attachment 435510 View attachment 435511

beautiful spider!!

 

[liquidfluidity]

Thanks! I'd love to send you some once hatched but no clue how thst works going across borders....

 

[fredwardkroeger]

Thanks! I'd love to send you some once hatched but no clue how thst works going across borders....

it’s expensive to ship inverts legally across the border, sadly. But I live near the border and I’d totally drive across to pick them up at a fedex depot! Because I would really love to add this species to my small collection of trues.