What is the largest genus/gender of tarantula?

[CliveC]

Hi all! I was curious what the largest genus is, which I’m assuming will be in the theraphosa family. So is the largest leg span stirmi, blondi, or apophysis? Also, what gender of bird eater is larger?

 

[nicodimus22]

Leg span - apophysis
Mass - blondi

Females are generally larger.

 

[CliveC]

Leg span - apophysis
Mass - blondi

Females are generally larger.

Is there a significant difference between the blondi and apophysis? I’m debating between the two as a potential pet, as they seem like a wonderful species in many ways. Is there a big difference in leg span?

 

[korg]

Size can completely vary by individual, both genetically and based on how they are raised. So when you're dealing with overall pretty similar species there's no real guarantee how large one specimen might end up relative to another. For large species you hear lots of debate over this kind of thing, but you never hear people arguing about whether H. gabonensis tends to be 1/16" larger than H. villosella! Gender refers to the social constructs surrounding biological sex, so there's no such things as tarantula gender.

These are wonderful spiders you're asking about, but just want to politely caution that if you haven't kept tarantulas before you should do a loooot more research before getting one of these. Might want to start with this thread here by the wonderful @Nightstalker47 and then maybe spend like several more hours searching for and reading Theraphosa-related threads here on AB. That would be like the minimum, and that's assuming you're a generally intelligent and cautious adult.

Theraphosa care and info

We have had so many threads lately on Theraphosa, and I find myself repeating the same thing time and time again. This thread will cover most of the common questions, hopefully it should be useful to some of the newer keepers, and may even save a few spiders from neglect. I'll start by going...

arachnoboards.com

Good luck!

 

[CliveC]

Size can completely vary by individual, both genetically and based on how they are raised. So when you're dealing with overall pretty similar species there's no real guarantee how large one specimen might end up relative to another. For large species you hear lots of debate over this kind of thing, but you never hear people arguing about whether H. gabonensis tends to be 1/16" larger than H. villosella! Gender refers to the social constructs surrounding biological sex, so there's no such things as tarantula gender.

These are wonderful spiders you're asking about, but just want to politely caution that if you haven't kept tarantulas before you should do a loooot more research before getting one of these. Might want to start with this thread here by the wonderful @Nightstalker47 and then maybe spend like several more hours searching for and reading Theraphosa-related threads here on AB. That would be like the minimum, and that's assuming you're a generally intelligent and cautious adult.

Theraphosa care and info

We have had so many threads lately on Theraphosa, and I find myself repeating the same thing time and time again. This thread will cover most of the common questions, hopefully it should be useful to some of the newer keepers, and may even save a few spiders from neglect. I'll start by going...

arachnoboards.com

Good luck!

Thank you so much! I think I’ll go with the t blondi when I have all the info I need, because they are the most beautiful imo, and the difference is marginal as you said. I have done several hours of research now, but I’m still researching the little details to make caring for her an ease, and to spoil her with the best of the best when I’m ready.

 

[cold blood]

is there
a significant difference between the blondi and apophysis? I’m

Yes, a huge difference...apophysis is much leggier, blondi and stirmi are exceedingly similar, and much bulkier.

This group is the largest....apophysis has the largest potential leg span (not by much), however blondi and stirmi are mych heavier bodied, and are generally considered bigger....my understanding is that stirmi get a tad larger on average, but both basically have the same potential.

 

[CliveC]

Yes, a huge difference...apophysis is much leggier, blondi and stirmi are exceedingly similar, and much bulkier.

This group is the largest....apophysis has the largest potential leg span (not by much), however blondi and stirmi are mych heavier bodied, and are generally considered bigger....my understanding is that stirmi get a tad larger on average, but both basically have the same potential.

I suppose the blondi is the best? I mean if they all have essentially the same potential in growth, it does look beautiful and I heard they are better when it come to eradicating hairs (sorry if I spelled that wrong.)

 

[korg]

Thank you so much! I think I’ll go with the t blondi when I have all the info I need, because they are the most beautiful imo, and the difference is marginal as you said. I have done several hours of research now, but I’m still researching the little details to make caring for her an ease, and to spoil her with the best of the best when I’m ready.

Good call on the research. Maybe you've already picked up on this, but also worth noting that T. stirmi is by far the most common and affordable of this genus in the US hobby. Some sellers can't/don't want to even tell the differences between the species, so anything you're buying as "blondi" should be suspect unless it's a) super expensive and b) from a very reputable and knowledgeable source. Definitely make sure you can tell the difference yourself before buying if you're actually committed to getting blondi. If you can find a real one it's likely to be very pricey, so maybe also consider that relative to your experience as a keeper. If you're not experienced this is kind of like learning how to drive for the first time during rush hour in a Ferrari... you might be fine, but any mistakes you make or things that go wrong are going to hit you hard. That's why most people build up experience, skill, and comfort level before going for spiders like this.

 

[Liquifin]

All Theraphosa have similar growth rates and size of each species doesn't really make a difference since they reach about the same sizes as adults, which will really be dependent on the specimen if you get that legendary size. From experience, I can say that I kept all three species the same and they have thrived very well. The T. apophysis is the slower growing Theraphosa in my experience at the moment which she is about 3.5'' inches. My T. blondi grows at the same rate as basic T. stirmi and my second one is growing well. I would love to get another T. apophysis when possible, but I'll save it for later. I have noticed that T. apophysis has a bit more of skinnier legs, which I guess people say leggy.

 

[omni]

not to steer you away from Theraphosa, but Lasiadora get huge, are easy to find and grow big fast. might be a good option if you can't find the right size T. blondi.
I can't remember if I saw anyone offering blondi's lately. stirmi's yes

 

[viper69]

P rufilata females- one of the largest out there by leg span.

 

[CliveC]

Good call on the research. Maybe you've already picked up on this, but also worth noting that T. stirmi is by far the most common and affordable of this genus in the US hobby. Some sellers can't/don't want to even tell the differences between the species, so anything you're buying as "blondi" should be suspect unless it's a) super expensive and b) from a very reputable and knowledgeable source. Definitely make sure you can tell the difference yourself before buying if you're actually committed to getting blondi. If you can find a real one it's likely to be very pricey, so maybe also consider that relative to your experience as a keeper. If you're not experienced this is kind of like learning how to drive for the first time during rush hour in a Ferrari... you might be fine, but any mistakes you make or things that go wrong are going to hit you hard. That's why most people build up experience, skill, and comfort level before going for spiders like this.

Ok. Thanks! I have heard they could be pricey, so that might be a small problem, but yeah, I’ll make sure it’s reputable and for sure make sure it’s actually a blondi. That article was really great too.

 

[cold blood]

I suppose the blondi is the best? I mean if they all have essentially the same potential in growth, it does look beautiful and I heard they are better when it come to eradicating hairs (sorry if I spelled that wrong.)

imo stirmi is best....unlike blondi, its regularly bred in captivity, and easier to breed....its also more forgiving in terms of husbandry...its the most available, and the hardiest, and aside from hair on a blondis femurs, the two are virtually indistinguishable.

not to steer you away from Theraphosa, but Lasiadora get huge, are easy to find and grow big fast. might be a good option if you can't find the right size T. blondi.
I can't remember if I saw anyone offering blondi's lately. stirmi's yes

Lasiodora get no larger than dozens of large tropical terrestrials...7-8" is a typical female size....no t on the planet has its size more regularly exaggerrated than Lasiodora.

 

[Goopyguy56]

I would get some other t anyways. There are plenty of t's that get big enough. None of them will get as big as theraphosa but most of them look better and are easier to care for imo