Could we put together a size guide?

[Tabitha]

I must admit I try never to watch the news, just did, so many cruel stories so was feeling very so thanks Phil..I feel now!

 

[Arachnoclown]

totally!-great minds think alikeeverybody needs a laugh now and then -lighten up people

 

[Phil]

totally!-great minds think alikeeverybody needs a laugh now and then -lighten up people

....and two idiots seldom differ

 

[Phil]

I feel like @Phil is the uncle at a wedding who always has the really bad dad jokes but you laugh anyway and always go back to see him cos it’s never boring lol

try telling my kids that! They usually roll their eyes at me. ha ha. I see it as my life mission to embarrass them though...LOL

 

[Phil]

back to the original ask from this post.

The request for a Size guide is a bit too generic given the hundreds (if not thousands) of different genus out there in the hobby.

However, in my experience (30 years of successfully keeping spiders) I would very loosely summarise as:

Terrestrial
Common species Brachypelma, Aphonophelma and Grammastola
Size (all approximate) = 6 inches DLS (Diaganol Leg Span).
Females are usually bigger than males. Not a sexist remark, just a fact.
There are larger species such as Lasiodora (up to 10 or 11 inches), Theraphosa (up to 12 inches) and Acanthoscurria (up to 9 inches)

There are also a number of "dwarf"* species that can only measure anywhere between 2 and 4 inches

Arboreal
Common species Avicularia and Ceribena
Size (all approximate) = 5 inches DLS (Diaganol Leg Span).
Females are usually bigger than males. Not a sexist remark, just a fact.
There are larger species such as Poecilotheria (up to 10 or 11 inches) and some of the Tapi species, generally thay all have a "leggy" appearance when compared to terrestrial species.

There are not many "dwarf"* type arboreal spiders readily available so I have not mentioned them here.

That's a starter for ten, in no way is it a full size guide due to the hundreds of species out there but will give you an idea.

Hope I have been helpful.

*"dwarf" is not my term, this is a term used in the hobby.

 

[Casey K.]

Most measurements are inaccurate but a rough ges


It’s all you bloody Americans with you 18th century imperial system .

God, I love that English slang terminology...... (batting eyes) .

 

[Casey K.]

In my school I got this one math worksheet as homework and my dad saw me working on it the way we learned in school and he asked what the **** I was doing and then asked if my teacher was drunk.

Lmao

 

[Casey K.]

I try to find fun in most things. the world is sh!t enough without adding to it. Not everyone gets my sense of humour but I know you do hun

That's why I'm not responding, lol. I have a rude sense of humor and heaven forbid someone take offense to it. I do take value to those that are interested in learning, though and try to offer as much advice as I can but it appears quite a few others have offered a good fair share so I will sit it out.

 

[ilovebrachys]

That's why I'm not responding, lol. I have a rude sense of humor and heaven forbid someone take offense to it. I do take value to those that are interested in learning, though and try to offer as much advice as I can but it appears quite a few others have offered a good fair share so I will sit it out.

Ditto that @Casey K. some things are best left unsaid

 

[Sycohearted]

back to the original ask from this post.

The request for a Size guide is a bit too generic given the hundreds (if not thousands) of different genus out there in the hobby.

However, in my experience (30 years of successfully keeping spiders) I would very loosely summarise as:

Terrestrial
Common species Brachypelma, Aphonophelma and Grammastola
Size (all approximate) = 6 inches DLS (Diaganol Leg Span).
Females are usually bigger than males. Not a sexist remark, just a fact.
There are larger species such as Lasiodora (up to 10 or 11 inches), Theraphosa (up to 12 inches) and Acanthoscurria (up to 9 inches)

There are also a number of "dwarf"* species that can only measure anywhere between 2 and 4 inches

Arboreal
Common species Avicularia and Ceribena
Size (all approximate) = 5 inches DLS (Diaganol Leg Span).
Females are usually bigger than males. Not a sexist remark, just a fact.
There are larger species such as Poecilotheria (up to 10 or 11 inches) and some of the Tapi species, generally thay all have a "leggy" appearance when compared to terrestrial species.

There are not many "dwarf"* type arboreal spiders readily available so I have not mentioned them here.

That's a starter for ten, in no way is it a full size guide due to the hundreds of species out there but will give you an idea.

Hope I have been helpful.

*"dwarf" is not my term, this is a term used in the hobby.

This was actually super cool to read and very informative. I seriously appreciate this information in general. I realize now that I should have clarified my post (so, my apologies) I was looking for a size guide based on AGE, not by species or genus. Truly my apologies for not mentioning this in the post or even clarifying.
That being said, this was still very fascinating to read as someone who is very new in the hobby so thank you for taking the time to do so. I'm sure others found this cool too!

 

[Arachnoclown]

This was actually super cool to read and very informative. I seriously appreciate this information in general. I realize now that I should have clarified my post (so, my apologies) I was looking for a size guide based on AGE, not by species or genus. Truly my apologies for not mentioning this in the post or even clarifying.
That being said, this was still very fascinating to read as someone who is very new in the hobby so thank you for taking the time to do so. I'm sure others found this cool too!

You cant go by age for size...these two tarantulas are exactly the same age. I bred them both and pulled the sacks. Two different species but the same genus.

 

[Whitelightning777]

Technically tarantulas are measured just like televisions are. Upper left or right leg to the rear leg on the opposite side. Typically the most recent molt is used to get an accurate measurement because you can fully extend them.

In the real world, blarney is added to the measurement as well.

Fang size adds about 20% to the measurement. Frequency and duration of threat postures can add 150% to the measurements.

Causing the keeper of the tarantula to befoul themselves in fear can also double the measurement.

There is also a bitter dispute about whether L parahybana gets to 8", 9", or 10" despite the fact that it isn't the largest Lasiodora species.

L striatepes is, in fact, the largest one & held the record before T blondi was discovered. It's maximum size is never discussed, perhaps a state secret.

 

[Sycohearted]

You cant go by age for size...these two tarantulas are exactly the same age. I bred them both and pulled the sacks. Two different species but the same genus.View attachment 38284

Technically tarantulas are measured just like televisions are. Upper left or right leg to the rear leg on the opposite side. Typically the most recent molt is used to get an accurate measurement because you can fully extend them.

In the real world, blarney is added to the measurement as well.

Fang size adds about 20% to the measurement. Frequency and duration of threat postures can add 150% to the measurements.

Causing the keeper of the tarantula to befoul themselves in fear can also double the measurement.

There is also a bitter dispute about whether L parahybana gets to 8", 9", or 10" despite the fact that it isn't the largest Lasiodora species.

L striatepes is, in fact, the largest one & held the record before T blondi was discovered. It's maximum size is never discussed, perhaps a state secret.

Oh wow, good to know. Thanks guys, I appreciate it. Sorry for the ignorance ahaha. Incredibly new to Tarantulas, used to owning mammals ahaha.

 

[barefoot]

Thanks for the question and all the replies. I like the description of them being measured like a television (or a phone for that matter). A good reference to wrap your brain around. I also appreciated the picture of the two T's the same age and different size. Another good visual to wrap your brain around. When you can wrap your brain around something and have a visual in your head, you can remember it better. As for the smart a$$ answers... they gave me a good laugh. You really have to have a sense of humor to travel online.

 

[Whitelightning777]

This was actually super cool to read and very informative. I seriously appreciate this information in general. I realize now that I should have clarified my post (so, my apologies) I was looking for a size guide based on AGE, not by species or genus. Truly my apologies for not mentioning this in the post or even clarifying.
That being said, this was still very fascinating to read as someone who is very new in the hobby so thank you for taking the time to do so. I'm sure others found this cool too!

Age is highly variable because growth rates vary greatly. Even within a genus, there can be a lot of diversity.

For example, a 1year old B vagans, B sabolsum, & B hamorii will all have very different growth rates from one another.

Another factor is temperature as well as frequency of feeding. If you're going by age, you have to know the exact species you're dealing with.

In addition to that, some are much more sensitive to feeding and temperature then others are.

Generally speaking, but not always, males also tend to grow faster then females in most cases, but slow growers are still pretty darn slow.

 

[Casey K.]

Technically tarantulas are measured just like televisions are. Upper left or right leg to the rear leg on the opposite side. Typically the most recent molt is used to get an accurate measurement because you can fully extend them.

In the real world, blarney is added to the measurement as well.

Fang size adds about 20% to the measurement. Frequency and duration of threat postures can add 150% to the measurements.

Causing the keeper of the tarantula to befoul themselves in fear can also double the measurement.

There is also a bitter dispute about whether L parahybana gets to 8", 9", or 10" despite the fact that it isn't the largest Lasiodora species.

L striatepes is, in fact, the largest one & held the record before T blondi was discovered. It's maximum size is never discussed, perhaps a state secret.

I had a female over 8" I sold to Dixie. They surpass 8". I'd love to see how big she is now.....

@sdsnybny

 

[Casey K.]

Thanks for the question and all the replies. I like the description of them being measured like a television (or a phone for that matter). A good reference to wrap your brain around. I also appreciated the picture of the two T's the same age and different size. Another good visual to wrap your brain around. When you can wrap your brain around something and have a visual in your head, you can remember it better. As for the smart a$$ answers... they gave me a good laugh. You really have to have a sense of humor to travel online.

YESSS!!! Now you get it!!!

I mean it with a kind heart. <3

 

[Whitelightning777]

I had a female over 8" I sold to Dixie. They surpass 8". I'd love to see how big she is now.....

@sdsnybny

Lasiodora parahybana or Lasiodora striatepes?

.....or both!!

 

[Casey K.]

Lasiodora parahybana or Lasiodora striatepes?

.....or both!!

Parahybana i have owned striatepes but haven't kept any long enough to see how big they can get.