How big do they REALLY get?

[Damnathius]

Having browsed lots of "care sheets" on tarantulas, I have come across inconsistent full grown size measurments on the Ts that I have. So I ask those that have seen or owned large specimens of the following, how big do they get, and how do you measure them?

P. murinus
B. albopilosum
A. avicularia
H. lividum
G. rosea

I appreciate any input. Thanks,

Dave

 

[Mendi]

Measurements depend on if you are wanting to the LS(legspan) or if your wanting the body size. The 1st you measure from the tip of the first leg, either side, to the tip of the 4th leg on the opposite side. Body size is measured from the tip of the chelicera to the spinerettes... I would wait on a molt and measure the legspan of the P.murinus and H.lividum, but that's just me... Some really brave souls might have the courage to try it with a live one, but I don't handle OWer's. The other 3, you can measure them both ways and likely even get a good LS measurement without a molt. Of course with any of them you can put them in a clear delicup and measure them that way. As for your list, which is the smallest to largest, I would rank them:

P.murinus
A.avicularia
H.lividum
G.rosea
B.albopilosum

As for actual measurements of adult Ts, I seem to think they range from around 4" up to 6" LS. I've not really cared to measure mine too much, maybe when they were slings. I don't have any OW Ts other than Pokies right now, and their LS is the longest of any I own. But of the 3 NW Ts you've mentioned my female Avic is by far the smallest, all 4 of my adult G.rosea are a good handful though the penultimate male is a bit smaller in build, and my female Curly is the largest and heaviest. I think the variations you see in the sizes on caresheets may have something to do with the sizes of mature males compared to mature females. Personally I pick somewhere in the middle of the given ranges to be about right.

 

[Damnathius]

Thanks for the reply Mendi. The information is much appreciated.