Knowing your tarantula’s age can be both fascinating and important since it allows you to tailor their care more precisely, especially since young tarantulas have different needs than older ones. Growing tarantulas, for instance, need to eat more often than adult tarantulas. Nevertheless, determining a tarantula’s age isn’t as straightforward as you might think. That’s why, in this article, we’ll be delving into the different methods and indicators so you can learn how to determine a tarantulas age.
Molting Patterns
One of the most reliable ways to estimate a tarantula’s age is by examining its molting patterns. Tarantulas grow by shedding their old exoskeletons and forming new ones. As they age, the frequency of molting decreases. Young Tarantulas molt more frequently, sometimes as often as every few weeks to months, while sub-adults every few months to a year. On the other hand, adult tarantulas molt less often, usually once a year or even less.
Size And Growth Rate
Another indicator of a tarantula’s age is its size. Younger tarantulas are smaller in size compared to adult tarantulas, so the size of a tarantula is a good indication of its age. Fully grown tarantulas have reached their maximum size and exhibit minimal growth between moults, so you can also check out the growth rate of a tarantula after it moults to gauge its age. So, by measuring your tarantula’s size at various stages and comparing it to typical sizes for its species at different ages, you can get an idea of where it falls on the age spectrum.
Tarantulas also change their leg span as they age. Young tarantulas often have proportionally longer legs compared to their body size, while adults typically have more balanced proportions. So, observing a tarantula’s leg span can also offer some insights into your tarantula’s age.
Color
Some tarantulas undergo coloration changes as they age. So knowing the color range of your tarantulas can help you determine if it’s a spiderling, sub-adult, or an adult and as such, let you know its age.
Many tarantula species undergo colour changes as they grow and moult. For instance, the Mexican Redknee Tarantula gradually develops its signature red knees and black body over time, while the Brazilian Black Tarantula changes from a brown or greyish hue to become entirely jet black as it matures. Several other tarantula species, such as the Mexican Fireleg Tarantula, Indian Ornamental Tarantula, and Pinktoe Tarantula, also experience various color shifts as they reach adulthood.
Sex
Another way to determine a tarantula’s age is by knowing its sex.
You can check the underside of a tarantula’s abdomen to determine its sex. Knowing the tarantula’s sex is essential in this case since males typically live 3 to 6 years, while females can live much longer, around 30 to 40 years.
By looking at its fangs, you can know if a male tarantula is young or old. Mature male tarantulas will have large fangs, while younger ones will have smaller fangs. For female tarantulas, you might need to wait for them to molt first and then examine the spermatheca under a microscope.
Conclusion
Accurately determining a tarantula’s age is essential for tailoring its care appropriately. This article has highlighted various methods to estimate a tarantula’s age, including analyzing molting patterns, size and growth rate, leg span, coloration changes, and sex differentiation. By applying these techniques, tarantula keepers can gain valuable insights into their arachnid companion’s age, enabling them to provide the most suitable care throughout its life. Whether caring for a young spiderling or a mature adult, understanding the tarantula’s age is a crucial step in ensuring its well-being and longevity in captivity.
