Why are GBB so hard to breed?

[jrh3]

Just wanted to open this for discussion. Everywhere I read is how hard they are to breed, obviously people are successful because there are always slings available but is it the setup or need to cool and mimic a rainy season or what?

 

[NottsM]

From what I have gathered, this species is prone to cannibalism, so the successful matings are fewer.

 

[WolfSpider]

GBB mating is tough for 2 reasons: she likes to eat him or both GBBs sit there and do nothing for hours! Casey K seems to have mastered this. I think the reason why there are plenty of slings is that we love them--so there is a bunch of good breeders trying.

 

[Arachnoclown]

 

[Arachnoclown]

Thats a molt on the ground...not a body.

 

[Arachnoclown]

I currently have a gravid female I bred in late July. I'm anticipating her to drop soon. Ive never cooled any spider down and Ive been pretty successful. Ive heard breeders swear by it...never done it. I do water the enclosure pretty good when she starts silking for a sack. In the past I haven't had any cannibalism with Gbbs except for a female eating a sack and only being able to rescue a couple slings.

 

[jrh3]

View attachment 50768Thats a molt on the ground...not a body.

 

[jrh3]

I currently have a gravid female I bred in late July. I'm anticipating her to drop soon. Ive never cooled any spider down and Ive been pretty successful. Ive heard breeders swear by it...never done it. I do water the enclosure pretty good when she starts silking for a sack. In the past I haven't had any cannibalism except for a female eating a sack and only being able to rescue a couple slings.

awesome looks like you have it nailed down. So wet season maybe the key?

 

[Arachnoclown]

awesome looks like you have it nailed down. So wet season maybe the key?

Not sure...they say(multiple breeders) 82 degrees and 60%-70% humidity for the egg development. I flood the enclosure so for the next 30-40 days I dont have to disturb her. I then grab the sack from her and incubate the eggs myself.

 

[Arachnoclown]

@Metalman2004 has Gbbs down to a science. Maybe he can share?

 

[jrh3]

Not sure...they say(multiple breeders) 82 degrees and 60%-70% humidity for the egg development. I flood the enclosure so for the next 30-40 days I dont have to disturb her. I then grab the sack from her and incubate the eggs myself.

Wow do they need to be warm.

 

[Arachnoclown]

Wow do they need to be warm.

It helps alot. They will just develop slower if its cool. I just turn up the heater in the spider room. All the other spiders don't mind.

 

[jrh3]

It helps alot. They will just develop slower if its cool. I just turn up the heater in the spider room. All the other spiders don't mind.

nice, mine sits at around 76 so not too far off.