Tonite I finally tried to mate Phoneutria nigriventer, acctually two pair of this species. The introduction went smoother then expected - these spiders are a bit on the speedy and nervous side. But I got the males in to each female and watched in suspense. I couldnt open the lids in case she turned on the male for obvoius reasons so I had to observe and hope for the best.
After 5 minutes approx after the first male entered the femeles cage, he started to gently tap his pedipalps. And after a while he started to slowly move, and then he sat still. Strangely he tapped his abdomen qiuckly up and down (thought he might leave a string of silk but didnt see any - maybe a part of courting?)
After some time he slowly start to approach her and she him. Then he freaks out and retreat. Coward!! He hidden behind a piece of cork for now.
Some time went by and I introduced the male no 2 to female no2. I went out to get a cold drink (non-alcohol offcourse...) and suddenly I hear a sound like all hells breaking loose in the cage and female 1 and male 1 are engaged in ..combat... or mating...? I didnt see him enter the embolus, but she apparently subdued him and are now having a snack.. damn.
The pair no 2 was observed in a mating positionbut same here, it went so quick so i never saw any penetration of embolus. He managed to break free but lost a leg, which she is now enjoying.
Well, it was a very interesting thing to see. I hope a sac will come out of this but I dont have any high hopes it will. I will for sure try again.
/Lelle
After 5 minutes approx after the first male entered the femeles cage, he started to gently tap his pedipalps. And after a while he started to slowly move, and then he sat still. Strangely he tapped his abdomen qiuckly up and down (thought he might leave a string of silk but didnt see any - maybe a part of courting?)
After some time he slowly start to approach her and she him. Then he freaks out and retreat. Coward!! He hidden behind a piece of cork for now.
Some time went by and I introduced the male no 2 to female no2. I went out to get a cold drink (non-alcohol offcourse...) and suddenly I hear a sound like all hells breaking loose in the cage and female 1 and male 1 are engaged in ..combat... or mating...? I didnt see him enter the embolus, but she apparently subdued him and are now having a snack.. damn.
The pair no 2 was observed in a mating positionbut same here, it went so quick so i never saw any penetration of embolus. He managed to break free but lost a leg, which she is now enjoying.
Well, it was a very interesting thing to see. I hope a sac will come out of this but I dont have any high hopes it will. I will for sure try again.
/Lelle
