uh..uh oh..bab(ies) make..???

[Gillian]

Hi all,
I brought a Hentzi home from Carlsbad, thanks to Mike and Susan Mule' going out gathering with me. It was VERY apparent she was on the way to eggsac-dom, as she had a HUGE abdomen.
I have been checking her, as she's been barricaded insode her halflog for about 2 weeks. Either I got a very good view this early morning, or, she just made it. Clutched against her carapace, is an eggsac.
Now, being as I have absolutely no idea when she did make it, any ideas here? Also, this will be my first eggsac.
Peace,
Gillian

 

[Immortal_sin]

congrats Gillian!
I'm not sure on the incubation period for Aphonopelmas, but I would venture a guess in the 60 + day range, maybe closer to 75 days or so. I'd keep her in a dark quiet place, supply plenty of fresh water, and possibly offer a food item once in a while, though she probably won't eat.
Holley

 

[Tarantula Lover]

Wow! Good Luck! Are you going to try to incubate them yourself? If you do i would take the sac out in 25-30 days! Good Luck and keeep us updated!


James

 

[Gillian]

Holley & James..
WOO-HOO!
Thanks.. So, now I know what an eggsac looks like..
Hmm..all this time, I thought I had a tarantula with the Joy Syndrome happening .
I'll keep ya posted.
If I'm successful, my plans are to reserve some of the babies, raise them to a survivable size, and release them, into a good area.
There'll be babies as well, for those who want them..

What is the incubator method?
Peace,
Gillian

 

[skinheaddave]

Gillian,

First of all, congratulations!

Secondly, NO NO NO NO NO! Bad Gillian! Do not release those babies into the wild. Once you have kept something in captivity there is no saying what parasites or other unwanteds it will pick up, nor how high a parasite load may become in an enclosed area. Also, by raising them up and then releasing them, you have effectively messed with the early survival rate of a particular genotype and potentialy the genetic balance of a population. If you release them anywhere but the capture site you are also running the risk of messing with demes and such. Basically, conventional genetic wisdom says we don't know diddly about their genetics and thus shouldn't be releasing them. That's my take on it anyhow.

As for s'lings, I'd want some, but the whole border thing is always an issue.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Gillian]

Dave,
Sorry.. I was just thinking of the wild population. How far are you from the border? Could I mail some to a friend close to the border?
Not sure how many there will be, but, the eggsac is about as big as a marble shooter.
Peace,
Gillian

 

[skinheaddave]

Gillian,

I don't know if it would be worth the hastle, but if you actualy get babies from it, do give me a shout and we can try to figure something out. As for the releasing thing, don't worry about it. Gave me an opportunity to rant about not releasing captive animals, which may benefit others as well.

Cheers,
Dave