When buying a new T

[psawneo1]

Hi all! I’ve had a few T’s over the years and got the itch to get another couple recently. I’ve been looking at some particular T’s who exhibit big differences between male and female - with the latter being the desired. I know a part of the hobby is watching the molt and grow (which is awesome), but I’m hesitant to spend 50-100 dollars on a sling to then realize in a year or so that it’s a male and therefore not what I really wanted.

Do most of you buy slings and cross your fingers, or spend the money on one that’s already been identified as a female? I realize it’s probably a personal choice type thing, but interested in feedback from the community. Thanks in advance!

 

[m0lsx]

I have brought a few mature T's, several unsexed juvies, which is where you can waste money if you are not careful, as too many people sell males as unsexed juvies. I have also brought lots of slings.

Here in the UK we pay significantly less for our T's than you do, so £50 can buy us a sexed female. Allegedly. However, if buying from certain sellers, as my wife found out a few months ago, then buying a sexed female does not automatically guarantee you a female. But that is not a big loss at our prices & was simply a lesson learnt. No more sexed females from that European dealer for us.

With your prices, if only owning a few T's, I think I would want a female if at all possible, but I would be extra careful about where I buy it from.

 

[Phil]

Hi all! I’ve had a few T’s over the years and got the itch to get another couple recently. I’ve been looking at some particular T’s who exhibit big differences between male and female - with the latter being the desired. I know a part of the hobby is watching the molt and grow (which is awesome), but I’m hesitant to spend 50-100 dollars on a sling to then realize in a year or so that it’s a male and therefore not what I really wanted.

Do most of you buy slings and cross your fingers, or spend the money on one that’s already been identified as a female? I realize it’s probably a personal choice type thing, but interested in feedback from the community. Thanks in advance!

Hi, generally speaking you have described the only 2 options you really have.

Buying slings:
Don't just buy 1 and hope as that is still 50/50. My advice iof you can afford to do so, is get 4 to 6 where the odds are much more favourable to get a female. You also get the added joy of watching them grow. When able to sex, males can often be sold on/loaned out especially if you advertise that you have a male on forums like this as there are many members who breed, and the male is therefore essential and as many will also tell you, helps to actually pay for their collections.

Buy a sexed female
If you can afford 4 to 6 slings, you probably have the money to buy a sexed female anyway. Things to check and this is important:
1. Proof: Ask for proof either of the moult or at a push for some species, ventral pics. If you are unsure of the sexing process, you can share the pics here and we can help you (although this will depend on age, species and quality of the photo)

2. If from a Trader: Are they a reputable seller? most sellers know that most keepers are looking for a female so if they are not entirely legit, they will of course claim something is female to maximise sales There are some vendor reviews on here as well as some very well respected forum members who have Ts for sale.

3. Innocent misadvertisisng: Accidents happen. Many spiders pass from one owner to another during their lifetime. If owner #1 is sold or believes to be a "female" then that is what they will probably sell as to owner #2. Again, if owner #2 moves on and doesn't sex from a moult, you guessed it, owner #3 has what they believe to be "female". This happens a lot especially when the previous keeper is not really fussed as all they really wanted at the time was a big hairy spider to look at. Happened to me recently but was the other way round. Thought I was getting a nice penultimate male for a big AF. Now I have 2 big AF and no male. hence why point number 1 (proof) is the best advice I can give if you are going down the buy a female route.

Sorry for such a long post. Hope it was of help. Certainly check out the vendor reviews and for sale ads on here as that will be a good starting point and hopefully that gives you a bit more confidence in what you are buying as well as the potential of finding a bargain or two.

Good luck

 

[PanzoN88]

If I buy slings, I usually buy in groups of 3-5 depending on what I decide. My collection is at the point where I don't care if they all turn out male or not, as I know I can send my males off to do there thing in exchange for 50% of the sac. The reason for buying multiples of one species is to at the very least enhance the chances at getting a female.

I do buy sexed females depending on the species.

I have no preference either way, if it looks too good to pass up, I'm going for it.

 

[psawneo1]

Hi, generally speaking you have described the only 2 options you really have.

Buying slings:
Don't just buy 1 and hope as that is still 50/50. My advice iof you can afford to do so, is get 4 to 6 where the odds are much more favourable to get a female. You also get the added joy of watching them grow. When able to sex, males can often be sold on/loaned out especially if you advertise that you have a male on forums like this as there are many members who breed, and the male is therefore essential and as many will also tell you, helps to actually pay for their collections.

Buy a sexed female
If you can afford 4 to 6 slings, you probably have the money to buy a sexed female anyway. Things to check and this is important:
1. Proof: Ask for proof either of the moult or at a push for some species, ventral pics. If you are unsure of the sexing process, you can share the pics here and we can help you (although this will depend on age, species and quality of the photo)

2. If from a Trader: Are they a reputable seller? most sellers know that most keepers are looking for a female so if they are not entirely legit, they will of course claim something is female to maximise sales There are some vendor reviews on here as well as some very well respected forum members who have Ts for sale.

3. Innocent misadvertisisng: Accidents happen. Many spiders pass from one owner to another during their lifetime. If owner #1 is sold or believes to be a "female" then that is what they will probably sell as to owner #2. Again, if owner #2 moves on and doesn't sex from a moult, you guessed it, owner #3 has what they believe to be "female". This happens a lot especially when the previous keeper is not really fussed as all they really wanted at the time was a big hairy spider to look at. Happened to me recently but was the other way round. Thought I was getting a nice penultimate male for a big AF. Now I have 2 big AF and no male. hence why point number 1 (proof) is the best advice I can give if you are going down the buy a female route.

Sorry for such a long post. Hope it was of help. Certainly check out the vendor reviews and for sale ads on here as that will be a good starting point and hopefully that gives you a bit more confidence in what you are buying as well as the potential of finding a bargain or two.

Good luck

Thanks, I definitely appreciate all the input! Your point about a sexed female (rather than buying 4-6 slings) is something I was thinking about last night. And I hadn’t thought about selling/loaning out a mature male either. That’s a good point!

 

[ilovebrachys]

Thanks, I definitely appreciate all the input! Your point about a sexed female (rather than buying 4-6 slings) is something I was thinking about last night. And I hadn’t thought about selling/loaning out a mature male either. That’s a good point!

It also depends on what you are looking for in the hobby... For us it's all about the enjoyment of raising slings and the satisfaction you get from watching them grow into an adult - slings are adorable and it's a learning curve for anyone that's not raised any before
Sure I can understand why some people want to get a tarantula of size as they are impressive - but then you also get the sort of people who want certain species to collect that are adult females for a 'look what I've got and you haven't'
The emphasis on ending up with a male for breeding /loan can make males seem a good investment for a collection I've noticed it more in adverts I've seen in the states rather than in the UK that it seems to be the norm to expect 50/50 on a successful eggsac from using your MM? .. In the UK breeders tend to be a lot more Liberal in there breeding approach and don't really do that.. We send out MMs all the time and we never expect 50% we sort out a deal prior to shipping him and everyone is happy I don't like greedyness within the hobby as tarantula need to be bred for all to enjoy