this post was submitted on 22 Jul 2023
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Arachnology

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Here's a pic of my favorite little guy and one the only good pictures I've ever taken. Unfortunately he turned out to be a male so I didn't have him too long but he was a great tarantula to keep.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I have crippling arachnophobia but this lil guy looks so cute, kinda like he has a fatherly mustache or something lol.

Out of curiosity, why can't you keep male tarantulas?

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Males eventually grow tibial hooks used for mating. Unfortunately when they molt again there is a high probability that the molt gets stuck on those hooks and they will die. Also males don't generally live as long; usually 3 to 5 years in captivity.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Thanks for the info. Had to look up molting. Super interesting stuff. Kinda bizarre to have a pet that occasionally sheds its whole exoskeleton