BREEDING TARANTULAS

BREEDING: Breeding Tarantulas can be fun but is not always easy. The first step is to obtain a female of breeding age and size. If you have to raise a female, then wait to get the male because the males grow faster and will die of old age before your female is old enough to reproduce. In most species ,males have hooks on the front legs and use them to hold the fangs of the female away from him as he deposits his sperm pack into the females epigynum. It’s important to time the mating about 4-6 weeks after moulting. Most tarantulas need a “cool down cycle” which lasts a few weeks to a few months depending on species. After re-warming the spider to normal temperature, feed and hydrate her properly. Do not clean the tank because she will lay out sensory webs which indicate her readiness to mate with a male. Males will drum their legs on these sensory webs which entice the female to come out from her hiding place and mate. This process happens quickly with some species and slower with others. After mating the female will usually eat the male.. After mating ,feed her often and soon she will produce an egg sac. Keep in the mid 80’s and somewhat humid and with any luck ,you will have more babies than you know what to do with.