What's the biggest size increase you've ever seen with one molt?

Moakmeister

Arachnodemon
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Apparently the last thread on this topic was in 2012. I've heard of Theraphosas literally d o u b l i n g in size with one molt. How does its new body even fit inside its exoskeleton without breaking the whole thing to pieces? That would certainly make the process easier for them. Don't the leg segments not align properly with such a massive size difference? Molting is still a process I barely understand :/
 

viper69

ArachnoGod
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MM Lv's can easily gain 2" in DLS, basically going from 4 to 6" that's a considerable jump in one molt.
 

The Grym Reaper

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My LP went from 3.5" to 5" in one moult, I was pretty shocked to see the size difference.

The new exoskeleton, being soft, would be constricted by the old. I'd assume that, once free of it they're able to pump haemolymph to it which would make it expand to its new size (not unlike inflating a balloon), I think there was a similar question about limb regeneration and where the new limb would even have room to grow.
 

runCMD

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My LP went from 3.5" to 5" in one moult, I was pretty shocked to see the size difference.

The new exoskeleton, being soft, would be constricted by the old. I'd assume that, once free of it they're able to pump haemolymph to it which would make it expand to its new size (not unlike inflating a balloon), I think there was a similar question about limb regeneration and where the new limb would even have room to grow.
Makes sense on the regen. I got greedy eyes looking at this post. My new LP is about 3.5" - hoping for a molt to confirm gender as it's looking kind of dark. New terrariums should arrive tomorrow so hopefully I'll be able to get it set up nicely.
 

Rittdk01

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P vittata. Second of three molts in my care looked like a different spider.
 

EulersK

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"I once caught a fish thiiiiis big." :shifty:

Forget single molts. Power in numbers, baby. My L. difficilus went from a teeny 3i sling to a 3.5" beast in just under 4 months. Now that's impressive.
 

Moonohol

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"I once caught a fish thiiiiis big." :shifty:

Forget single molts. Power in numbers, baby. My L. difficilus went from a teeny 3i sling to a 3.5" beast in just under 4 months. Now that's impressive.
Yup, got my LD at about 2.5" in late June 2016, she just molted again and she's looking to be around 6.5-7" now :D

They are absolute monsters.
 

EulersK

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Yup, got my LD at about 2.5" in late June 2016, she just molted again and she's looking to be around 6.5-7" now :D

They are absolute monsters.
Not an exaggeration? Good to hear that they don't slow down. The likes of P. cancerides and B. albopilosum have jaded me - molt like mad to get to 3", and then never molt again.
 

Moonohol

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Not an exaggeration? Good to hear that they don't slow down. The likes of P. cancerides and B. albopilosum have jaded me - molt like mad to get to 3", and then never molt again.
It seems like Lasiodora spp. don't really slow down until they're nearly full-sized. Their growth seems to really explode once they reach the 2-3" mark, at least IME.
 

Nightstalker47

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Theraphosa have the craziest growth rates by far IME.
It seems like Lasiodora spp. don't really slow down until they're nearly full-sized. Their growth seems to really explode once they reach the 2-3" mark, at least IME.
They'll make a wuss out of L.difficilis. ;) I know cause I raised five of them from 1/4'' slings. While they definitely grow fast, theraphosa are on a whole other level.
 

xenesthis

Arachnolord
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Over the last 35 years, of all the species that I've kept, it would be Lasiodora species when the males go from penultimate to mature. 2"-2.25".
 

Pasyoo

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Apr 24, 2018
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My boehmei went from 1.5" to 2.5" measured diaganoally. Not too much but surely is noticeable. Still don't know if he is a he or a she though.
 

spookyvibes

Arachnobaron
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Nov 28, 2017
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I was surprised when my 3.5" Brachypelma albopilosum molted and turned into a 4.5"-5" fluffy ball of legs. Not the biggest size gain ever, but still not too shabby.
 

Wolfspidurguy

Arachnobaron
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i think that would be my H carol when it molted and got big enough to bolt over the ide of its enclosure. sadly, its dead now :( it was a pet hole so it had been dead for about a week or two before i figured out it was dead
 

Mychajlo

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Dec 11, 2017
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So far the biggest size jump I’ve witnessed has been my female T. Stirmi “Majesty” recently she molted and she was around 5 inches and now she seems to be a solid inch and a half bigger now maybe is around 6-6.5 inches
 

esa space station

Arachnoknight
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Jun 3, 2018
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Theraphosa seem to double in size till they get 8 inches or so
It does seem to be the fastest at reaching a large size however i notice a lot of t blondi male mature smaller *7-8" than t stirmis unless they were w.c(but dont happen since 2006 uk)
 
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