Well, it happened.....

[SpiderDad61]

RAMBO, my huge female T stirmi molted yesterday. I cannot imagine what size she'll be once I can measure her. Remember, this pic posted here was her last molt, and it was sitting on a 12" paper plate.
She looks enormous now. Wow.

 

[Entity]

Pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[sdsnybny]

How about a ruler next to the old molt/paper plate? most all regular paper plates are 8-10", Some of the more expensive ones (Chinet comes to mind) come in 12" size. Without a ruler its hard to gain perspective.

 

[Phil]

View attachment 19832 RAMBO, my huge female T stirmi molted yesterday. I cannot imagine what size she'll be once I can measure her. Remember, this pic posted here was her last molt, and it was sitting on a 12" paper plate.
She looks enormous now. Wow.

If only she was in the UK. I have a large male who would love to "hook up"....if you get my drift.

 

[SpiderDad61]

If only she was in the UK. I have a large male who would love to "hook up"....if you get my drift.

I tried hooking her up w my male, but she was doing the Nicki Minaj shake to get away from him

 

[SpiderDad61]

How about a ruler next to the old molt/paper plate? most all regular paper plates are 8-10", Some of the more expensive ones (Chinet comes to mind) come in 12" size. Without a ruler its hard to gain perspective.

The old molt is mounted, but i will measure the new molt once she isn't laying on it. I'll wet it, flatten it n measure it

 

[Phil]

I tried hooking her up w my male, but she was doing the Nicki Minaj shake to get away from him

Ha ha.....was that cos she was having PMS (pre moult stress), she might be more receptive now she has her best frock on?

 

[SpiderDad61]

Ha ha.....was that cos she was having PMS (pre moult stress), she might be more receptive now she has her best frock on?

Lol yes she does. I'll have to give it another go before the old man dies

 

[Phil]

Lol yes she does. I'll have to give it another go before the old man dies

So, a quick question if you don't mind. As the males lack the hooks in his species.,what is he best way to confirm maturity? Is it just the presence of a sperm web or some hint els? I have just taken in a large male and so just wondering whether the is any clear signs I should look for apart form size (he is 8 to 9 inches) and the sperm web just mentioned. Will he drumming and wandering or is that only if he can sense the presence of a mature female. Thanks

 

[sdsnybny]

A

So, a quick question if you don't mind. As the males lack the hooks in his species.,what is he best way to confirm maturity? Is it just the presence of a sperm web or some hint els? I have just taken in a large male and so just wondering whether the is any clear signs I should look for apart form size (he is 8 to 9 inches) and the sperm web just mentioned. Will he drumming and wandering or is that only if he can sense the presence of a mature female. Thanks

All mature male Tarantulas get swollen bulbous palps or emboli to use in transfer of sperm to the female.

 

[Phil]

A

All mature male Tarantulas get swollen bulbous palps or emboli to use in transfer of sperm to the female.

Thanks. I had completely forgotten about that. Same with a male P. Metallica I had. What a dumbass I am!

 

[SpiderDad61]

Thanks. I had completely forgotten about that. Same with a male P. Metallica I had. What a dumbass I am!

Yea u can very easily see the "red" emboli "tubes"as well as the swollen looking ends of the pedipalps. The males, also have a smaller abdomen and very long "#1 &#2" legs. They use em to hold the females legs up to get in there, and keep her from biting his head off.
Here's a pic of my male n female ready to go at it, from before.

 

[SpiderDad61]

Here's the males "male" palps