Mature male appreciation?

[Kodasea]

My p. irminia molted out as male a few months ago. I was disappointed since I’ve been having great luck with my female to male ratio so far (he’s my only confirmed bachelor so far) and I was looking forward to that legendarily beautiful girl irminia. Thinking it would be cool if someone could use him, I contacted a local pet shop if they had any breeder contacts or would take him. They basically said they’d take him off my hands for some in-store credit.

I considered it, but honestly? The guy has grown on me a lot. I check on my collection while taking breaks and he’s usually the only one consistently walking round and round the enclosure, obviously looking for girlfriends. He’ll never find one, but it’s weirdly relaxing to watch his pipe cleaner legs go go go. I remember looking at a picture of a mature male irminia and frankly thinking “ugly” but I’ve completely changed my mind. I now admire his chevrons with his mossy off gray coloring when he occasionally sits on his cork bark and chills. I think I might have caught him drumming at one point too. His range of behavior is really interesting in contrast with the other spiders I keep.

All that to say, I think Kura is going to live out the rest of his days with me. I love my girls, but his activity is interesting and I’m realizing I would be sad to see him go.

Anyone else enjoy their male spiders?

 

[ladyratri]

Lots of us:

Mature Male Appreciation Thread

Hi guys, I dont think MMs get as much appreciation as they should. I know most turn out dull but there are loads of species that look great when they mature. I thought I would start this thread so we could all share photos of our own handsome fellas. Please share yours. Attractive or not they...

arachnoboards.com

 

[bonewax]

Yes. I keep mine. I have a small number of spiders and each one is a pet with a name to us. No, we don't handle them or anthropomorphize them, but they are pets to us just like our other animals.


The first time I had a male mature, I asked the family to vote on whether to try to send him out for breeding, or give him a comfortable home for whatever time he had left. I explained the likely outcomes for both options. It was unanimous to keep him.

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

My male irminia matured on 10/23/23 and is still with me. I bought a confirmed female after that as I was sad that he was sold to me as “presumed she” (and paired them). I love seeing old man out most days and currently have 3 other MM as well, with 3 more subadult males. Love them all, even if they do go through that grumpy phase and frequently fast.