B. smithii - 4th instar

Pavel · #1 (**permalink**) 05-16-2009, 09:05 PM

This instar is showing more color than the last (primarily beige). Definitely a reddish cast.

sling 4th instar 2.jpg

Chu'Wuti · #2 (**permalink**) 05-19-2009, 03:56 PM

Pavel, is your tarantula a male or a female? Is this the penultimate or ultimate instar? I have not kept tarantulas, so forgive me if I'm asking really basic questions . . . they are such wonderful arachnids!

Pavel · #3 (**permalink**) 05-19-2009, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chu'Wuti

Pavel, is your tarantula a male or a female?

Unknown at this point and unlikely to be resolved any time soon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chu'Wuti

Is this the penultimate or ultimate instar?

Neither, Chu. This is still a very early stage in its life. Presently this instar is perhaps almost 2 cm in legspan. If you have seen the tarantulas with the yellow and red bands on the legs, commonly used in the movies, you will have an idea of just how far this one has to go.

Chu'Wuti · #4 (**permalink**) 05-21-2009, 06:43 PM

OK, so some tarantulas have more than four instars before they attain reproductive ability. Interesting! I hadn't realized that tarantulas go through such growth & development stages before, as the only ones I have seen have apparently already been fully developed. I'm learning some very interesting new information! Thanks for contributing to my education, Pavel!