How do u know when a pokie is mature?

jfulcher

Arachnopeon
Joined
Aug 25, 2012
Messages
22
I've got about a 5" p. ornata she just molted about 2wks ago when will she be mature? What size?
 

Tarac

Arachnolord
Joined
Oct 6, 2011
Messages
618
For all tarantulas in general (with a scant few exceptions), when they either a) have fully sclerotized spermatheca or b) have tibial apophyses/emboli on the pedipalps. The latter is more obvious so I assume you are asking about females, option a).
 

jfulcher

Arachnopeon
Joined
Aug 25, 2012
Messages
22
For all tarantulas in general (with a scant few exceptions), when they either a) have fully sclerotized spermatheca or b) have tibial apophyses/emboli on the pedipalps. The latter is more obvious so I assume you are asking about females, option a).
in term a newbie would understand
 

grayzone

Arachnoking
Old Timer
Joined
Jan 17, 2011
Messages
2,461
means youd need to check its exuvium to see if its sexual organs are fully hardened.
They will be a dark browinsh reddish color. She will then be sexually mature.

some say 60% of max size, but that is questionable, and varies with species. A good rule of thumb is if the females carapace is the same size as the MMs.

This is all stuff you SHOULD know before trying to breed btw (didn't want to be "that guy", but it had to be said..sorry)
 

jfulcher

Arachnopeon
Joined
Aug 25, 2012
Messages
22
means youd need to check its exuvium to see if its sexual organs are fully hardened.
They will be a dark browinsh reddish color. She will then be sexually mature.

some say 60% of max size, but that is questionable, and varies with species. A good rule of thumb is if the females carapace is the same size as the MMs.

This is all stuff you SHOULD know before trying to breed btw (didn't want to be "that guy", but it had to be said..sorry)
well I got 2 poeci's I knew we're mature and for those of you calling me sire I'm a madam ;) just never bought a juvie female before. Always jumped straight to the get go and got adult females
 

grayzone

Arachnoking
Old Timer
Joined
Jan 17, 2011
Messages
2,461
as far as i know, there is no way to tell off a ventral pic alone. One can only assume (somebody correct me if im wrong)

Not saying yours ISNT mature, but here is what MY female ornata looks like ventrally at 8"
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/attachment.php?attachmentid=104013&d=1338136853

she is VERY mature, and was more than willing to
A.) be paired multiple times
B.) cohab with a 2 diff MMs off and on for 3-4 months
C.) become gravid
D.) start webbing her hide shut in prep. to drop a sack.

---------- Post added 12-04-2012 at 04:13 PM ----------

*** edit***
i take that back.. in that picture she was about 6.5".. just did some diggin from the OG thread that pic is posted, and her molt was about 1 month after that.
Thats when she was paired and all that.

Also, every MM ornata ive seen is clockin in at about 8+"..
If the reason youre asking is due to aspirations of breeding HER (along with the rest of your Poecis) I would hold off until at least another molt .. If you do attempt it, please keep me posted on progress.
 

jfulcher

Arachnopeon
Joined
Aug 25, 2012
Messages
22
as far as i know, there is no way to tell off a ventral pic alone. One can only assume (somebody correct me if im wrong)

Not saying yours ISNT mature, but here is what MY female ornata looks like ventrally at 8"
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/attachment.php?attachmentid=104013&d=1338136853

she is VERY mature, and was more than willing to
A.) be paired multiple times
B.) cohab with a 2 diff MMs off and on for 3-4 months
C.) become gravid
D.) start webbing her hide shut in prep. to drop a sack.

---------- Post added 12-04-2012 at 04:13 PM ----------

*** edit***
i take that back.. in that picture she was about 6.5".. just did some diggin from the OG thread that pic is posted, and her molt was about 1 month after that.
Thats when she was paired and all that.

Also, every MM ornata ive seen is clockin in at about 8+"..
If the reason youre asking is due to aspirations of breeding HER (along with the rest of your Poecis) I would hold off until at least another molt .. If you do attempt it, please keep me posted on progress.
well my regalis is a proven breeder I got from ken and the pederseni is nearly 8" all are from ktbg
 

grayzone

Arachnoking
Old Timer
Joined
Jan 17, 2011
Messages
2,461
then they are likely (and obviously in the regalis' case) ready to go.. as long as not in pre molt. That WAS your other thread right?

Everything im referring to above is for ornata only. Your girl is about 5" (according to you) so remember she is only ABOUT half grown. Still pretty young.
You seem very gung ho! to get all of them paired up. Just remember pairing and breeding are two different things, so dont get discouraged if your girls dont want any part of it, if your ts eat eachother, or just plain wont drop...
Anyways, nobody can stop you, but people have gave you about every bit of info we can on the matter.
Best of luck to you on your projects, whether they're NOW or LATER.
 

jfulcher

Arachnopeon
Joined
Aug 25, 2012
Messages
22
I am very going no as u say. I'm trying to learn about them in and out backwards and forwards but I'm also willing to wait since I have no male ornata and only one mm regalis and mm pederseni
 

grayzone

Arachnoking
Old Timer
Joined
Jan 17, 2011
Messages
2,461
if you only offer them one cricket like once every two weeks, and keep them on the cooler (and a tad bit more humid) side, it should slow them down and keep them livelier longer.

if the females ARE in premolt, just up the temps, and humidity, and play the ol' waiting game.
 
Top