Instar Identification

[AusBugKid]

Hi! So I've noticed a few posts referring to purchasing a T at a particular instar, eg: "I got her as a 3rd in."
My question is, were you just told the number of moults by the breeder/ seller or is their some way of identifying the number of previous moults for yourself?

 

[sasker]

Usually the breeder/seller of the spider also tells you the size your tarantula and the number of molts it had (and the exact date of the most recent molt if they keep a good record of their spiders). With some experience, a good estimation of tiny slings can be made, but there is no rule of thump that applies to all slings. If you were to compare a 1st instar L. parahybana with a T. stirmi of the same age, you will see what I mean. LPs are like specks of dust compared to the 1st instar T. stirmi.

 

[Ungoliant]

Hi! So I've noticed a few posts referring to purchasing a T at a particular instar, eg: "I got her as a 3rd in."
My question is, were you just told the number of moults by the breeder/ seller or is their some way of identifying the number of previous moults for yourself?

Sellers often identify their smallest slings as 2i (second instar) or 3i (third instar). Beyond that, there is no practical reason to track instars, as care will depend more on species and size rather than how many times it has molted during its life. (Even if you are just curious, there is no way to know which instar your tarantula is without a complete molting record.)

The primary thing you need to know is that a tarantula should not be sold before it has reached the second instar, as it is fragile and has not yet begun to feed. Otherwise, it is more important to know the size of your tarantula so that you can house it appropriately as a sling or as a juvenile/adult.

For additional information, see:

• Instar: 7/13/2017
• What does instar mean?: 10/25/2007

 

[AusBugKid]

Awesome, thank you both!

 

[campj]

They get a new segment on their rattles each time they molt.

 

[AusBugKid]

They get a new segment on their rattles each time they molt.

If only I could access rattle snakes that would have been really useful...

 

[campj]

Oh, but you can get taipans and brown snakes!

 

[AusBugKid]

Oh, but you can get taipans and brown snakes!

Yay Australia. All our things are dull coloured and way venomous.