Is my Brachypelma albopilosum mature?

[MrBrits]

I have had tarantulas for about 2 year now, a Chilean Rose (Watson) and a Curly hair (Lincoln) so I'm fairly new and inexperienced in my opinion.
Lincoln moulted about 2 weeks ago. He is still very small compared to Watson who is a year older them him. Lincoln is almost 1 year old now.

I found him today laying sperm web, which was quite exciting to see, but I read that if a male is mature that he will generally stop moulting. Is this true? He seems very small for being mature.

From his spinnerets to his chelicerae he is about 5cm (almost 2 inches) long. That is still very small compared to what I have seen at the pet shops.

So my question is. Is this normal? Is he done moulting?

 

[Martin Oosthuysen]

Hello
With curly hairs, a mature male will have tibial hooks and bulbous pedipalps. One of my curly hairs Matured 2 days ago, will try and upload photos for reference.

 

[Ceratogyrus]

Yes, it's a mature male. Unfortunately these don't usually moult again after their maturing moult and if they do an a very rare occasion, they don't usually survive. If well looked after, he will survive for a year or more before dying, or else you could find him a sexy lady spider so that he can continue the species.

 

[Martin Oosthuysen]

Hope these photos show the tibial hooks and bulbous pedipalps good enough.

 

[Martin Oosthuysen]

I've circled each of the following
Tibial hooks

Bulbous Pedipalps

 

[MrBrits]

Thank you very much for the reply. When I saw my curly hair with bulbous pedipalps I got a fright because I didn't know that tarantulas got those things, I thought something went wrong with his previous moult. Its sad to hear that he wont be getting any bigger, he is still so small. The only female tarantula I have is a Chilean Rose and I know that you shouldn't create hybrids. Also, I don't know if I'm for it to have hundreds of spiders running around just yet.

 

[Martin Oosthuysen]

Hello
Sorry, would have loved to hear its female. I usually buy 2 or 3 of a tarantula to better my odds for a female. If this isn't an option, I buy a sexed female which can be done from a small size if done with a microscope.

 

[MrBrits]

That is actually a great idea. Will maybe be doing that. Just want to say, HOLY CRAP look at that collection of yours, its like and entire zoo. Must be very exciting. One question though, what is your housing situation for your tarantulas like? Do you have an entire room for them?

 

[Martin Oosthuysen]

Haha,almost. That's not my whole collection trust me, I just added another 4 avics as well. I also have, 2 Rottweiler's 1 boerboel 1 blue and gold macaw 1 African grey and a few other animals like budgies etc.

 

[MrBrits]

So yes a zoo, should open it to the public and make some money.

 

[Martin Oosthuysen]

Haha, its addictive. If you think about it, others love going out to clubs etc drinking and so on I love tarantulas.

 

[Martin Oosthuysen]

You know what's rewarding ? Taking a sling, fragile unable to just survive unless in its natural environment and being successful in raising it.

 

[MrBrits]

I totally agree with you there. When I got my first T it was this little white almost see through spider. Now it is this huge beautiful tarantula, my Chilean Rose. Also, its so interesting to see them keep themselves busy. My tarantulas are just above my desk, so when I'm working I can see them move around and make their homes different etc. Very exciting.
Just got a Chaco Golden Knee and a Green Bottle Blue. Going to the pet shop later today or tomorrow to buy things for the terrarium for the Green Bottle Blue.

 

[MrBrits]

Have any ideas for me?

 

[Martin Oosthuysen]

I use simple things for my juvenile and mature ones, a hide any type of moss as substrate a water dish with small pebbles so they can't drown a light misting once every few days on the opposite side of where the t is. Remember substrate to be dry, its used to that. I have looked after a few slings, small tub or a pill bottle light misting and not on the T. A half filled tub with substrate, so if it decides it can burrow.

 

[Martin Oosthuysen]

Also remember, I am just telling you what I do what I've found not meaning its the only way. Try and see what works for you, and if troubled ask we are here to help each other.

 

[MrBrits]

Thank you for all the information. Sorry for my very late reply, but for some reason I don't get notified if people reply to my post.