size

[philippa black]

hi I have recently got a red knee tarantula I was told he is about 3 years old but he is only about 2 inches including legs. Is this the right size for his age or has he had his size stunted by lack of care from previous owner. If stunted will he catch back up now getting good treatment.

 

[MassExodus]

hi I have recently got a red knee tarantula I was told he is about 3 years old but he is only about 2 inches including legs. Is this the right size for his age or has he had his size stunted by lack of care from previous owner. If stunted will he catch back up now getting good treatment.

Brachypelma are a slow growing tarantula. A female can take as long as 8 years to mature

 

[kormath]

There's no way to tell what size they should be by how old they are or vice versa. Too many variables like feeding schedule, ambient temp/humidity etc.

 

[VanessaS]

They're growth doesn't get stunted like other animals. Keeping them cooler, and feeding them a little less does make them age more slowly, but does not have the same affect on them as other animals.
Very often, people will try to slow down the growth of tarantulas if they know that they are male. It doesn't harm them, it just puts off the inevitable for a little longer.
Tarantulas don't age like other creatures do. Their lifespan is measured more in the number of moults as opposed to years. If you can extend the time between moulting, then they will live a bit longer.
Some animals will be stunted because their internal organs are still developing at regular speed, but their outer body is not keeping up. That doesn't happen with tarantulas. They grow each time they moult and are not growing at a steady pace. If they are neglected then they starve to death, but they don't suffer from a stunted growth scenario.

 

[Zurchiboy]

Sounds average. Since takes 5-8 years for them to mature

 

[philippa black]

They're growth doesn't get stunted like other animals. Keeping them cooler, and feeding them a little less does make them age more slowly, but does not have the same affect on them as other animals.
Very often, people will try to slow down the growth of tarantulas if they know that they are male. It doesn't harm them, it just puts off the inevitable for a little longer.
Tarantulas don't age like other creatures do. Their lifespan is measured more in the number of moults as opposed to years. If you can extend the time between moulting, then they will live a bit longer.
Some animals will be stunted because their internal organs are still developing at regular speed, but their outer body is not keeping up. That doesn't happen with tarantulas. They grow each time they moult and are not growing at a steady pace. If they are neglected then they starve to death, but they don't suffer from a stunted growth scenario.

thank you so much for this information I was quite worried and couldn't find anything on the net. the chap that had him kept him in a huge tank and only fed him 1 hopper a week and if he didn't catch it took it out so I think Boris ( my spider ) is lucky to be alive.

 

[MassExodus]

thank you so much for this information I was quite worried and couldn't find anything on the net. the chap that had him kept him in a huge tank and only fed him 1 hopper a week and if he didn't catch it took it out so I think Boris ( my spider ) is lucky to be alive.

That feeding schedule sounds fine, actually..

 

[Phil]

thank you so much for this information I was quite worried and couldn't find anything on the net. the chap that had him kept him in a huge tank and only fed him 1 hopper a week and if he didn't catch it took it out so I think Boris ( my spider ) is lucky to be alive.

@MassExodus is right, that feeding regime (weekly) is just about ideal for a T that size. Nothing to worry about and don't worry if you are "downsizing" as a smaller enclosure may help the hunt. Welcome to the forum too. As you can see, great people on here.
We like photos too......hint hint

 

[VanessaS]

Yep, like the others have said, that is the standard feeding regime. They are not creatures who will eat twice a day, like dogs and cats do. Unless you are powerfeeding them - then once a week is fine. Some people even go two weeks as adults.
Some tarantulas will refuse food for months on end with no ill effects and often with no reason. A week or two without food for them is nothing.

 

[philippa black]

@MassExodus is right, that feeding regime (weekly) is just about ideal for a T that size. Nothing to worry about and don't worry if you are "downsizing" as a smaller enclosure may help the hunt. Welcome to the forum too. As you can see, great people on here.
We like photos too......hint hint

thanks for the welcome I have down sized him into a much smaller container and he catches the hopper every time and seems very happy if a spider can look happy I feel greatly reassured by everyone's answers and will get a photo of him when I clean him out in a couple of days.

 

[RedCapTrio]

Newbie keeper myself and I do get to see for myself what this means. I mostly have brachys and their growth rates vary even with same environment and same feeding schedules. Although, gender may also have a play on this as most of my Ts are currently unsexed. I used to question or doubt the authenticity of such claims like one or two inches even after a year, but now, I guess I believe it does happen with Ts.

 

[philippa black]

Boris finally came out for a photo shoot this is him/her. For size comparison that's the middle of a kitchen roll under him. He is meant to be 3 years old. He is eating well and has shed once since I got him.

 

[kormath]

just fyi we don't measure T's by age, it could have taken 3 years to get that size or 5 depending on temp, feeding schedule, etc. Great looking T though! I'd guess he's 4-5" if the kitchen roll tube is 2" like here.